Test Information Guide

Field 66: Biology
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

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Molecules: Structures and Processes

Objective 0001
Apply knowledge of the chemical components of living systems and basic principles of biochemistry.

1. A biology teacher sets up various classroom stations for students to use to explore the properties of water. At one station, students are asked to sprinkle pepper on water in a bowl. Students then dip a cotton swab into liquid soap and touch the water with the swab. The pepper quickly scatters to the edges of the bowl. Which of the following properties of water does this activity demonstrate?

  1. specific heat capacity
  2. universal solvent
  3. surface tension
  4. osmotic pressure
Answer
Correct Response: C.

Correct Response: C.

Objective 0002
Apply knowledge of the processes that generate cellular energy.

2. Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

a graph of the oxygen consumption in milliliters of four experimental groups over time

A graph is shown of the oxygen consumption in milliliters of four experimental groups over time. Each group starts at 0 milliliters oxygen consumed at time 0 and then increases linearly to the end of the study at time 70 minutes. By the end of the study, Z increases to 0.1 milliliters of oxygen consumed, Y increases to 0.25 milliliters of oxygen consumed, X increases to 0.9 milliliters of oxygen consumed, and W increases to 1.9 milliliters of oxygen consumed.

An investigator measures oxygen consumption in germinating and nongerminating pea seeds at 10 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, then compiles the graph of the data shown. Line X most likely represents which treatment group?

  1. germinating peas at 25 degrees Celsius
  2. nongerminating peas 25 degrees Celsius
  3. germinating peas at 10 degrees Celsius
  4. nongerminating peas at 10 degrees Celsius
Answer
Correct Response: C.

Correct Response: C.

Organisms: Structures and Processes

Objective 0003
Apply knowledge of cell structure and function and of the cell cycle.

3. Before cell division can continue past the G2 checkpoint, the cell must determine whether:

  1. there are enough nutrients to divide.
  2. the DNA was accurately copied during the S phase.
  3. it is large enough in size to divide.
  4. the chromosome attached to the spindle during metaphase.
Answer
Correct Response: B.

Correct Response: B.

Objective 0004
Apply knowledge of the structures, structural organization, and life processes of unicellular and multicellular organisms (i.e., archaea, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals).

4. Which of the following features of desert plants primarily functions to allow them to maintain a homeostatic balance of water?

  1. thick, waxy cuticles
  2. numerous broad, flat leaves
  3. plant root hairs that are minimal or absent
  4. new growth from the plant base rather than the tips
Answer
Correct Response: A.

Correct Response: A.

Objective 0005
Apply knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

5. A person eats a lunch that includes peanut butter, raspberry jam, whole wheat bread, and milk. Which of the following statements best describes one action of the digestive system on this meal?

  1. The enzyme lipase will break down the sucrose in the raspberry jam as it passes the pancreas.
  2. Salivary amylase in the mouth will begin to break down the fats in the peanut butter into amino acids.
  3. The secretions of both the stomach and the small intestine will break down proteins in the peanut butter.
  4. The large intestine will absorb vitamins B and C because of the fats present in the milk.
Answer
Correct Response: C.

Correct Response: C.

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Objective 0006
Analyze interactions and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes.

6. Use the information below to answer the question that follows.

Many species exhibit boom-or-bust population cycles, especially those in environments that lack physical or species diversity. For example, Arctic lemming populations rise and fall on an approximately four-year cycle. As the population of an area builds to a maximum, lemmings migrate to other areas and the original local population falls to almost zero.

Which of the following factors is likely to be most important in initiating the migration of lemming populations described?

  1. increased intraspecific competition and passivity among males in regard to access to females
  2. increased competition for resources with other species that inhabit similar ecological niches in the new environment
  3. increased predation by various predator species whose populations have also increased in size
  4. increased habitat degradation due to overuse of resources as populations exceed the carrying capacity of the local environment
Answer
Correct Response: D.

Correct Response: D.

Objective 0007
Apply knowledge of the cycling of materials and the transfer of energy through an ecosystem.

7. Nitrogen was carried by agricultural runoff of fertilizers into a nearby lake. One of the first indications that nitrogen is a limiting factor in the lake would be an increase in:

  1. water clarity.
  2. water temperature.
  3. fish population.
  4. algal population.
Answer
Correct Response: D.

Correct Response: D.

Objective 0008
Analyze the effects of human activities on ecosystems and the environment.

8. Compared to fossil fuels, fuels that are derived from biomass sources:

  1. are more energy dense.
  2. do not produce carbon dioxide when burned.
  3. generate large volumes of wastewater.
  4. are able to be replenished in the next growing season.
Answer
Correct Response: D.

Correct Response: D.

Heredity and Biological Evolution

Objective 0009
Apply knowledge of the molecular basis of genetics.

9. A crime scene investigator collected a blood sample at the scene of a crime, along with blood samples from three suspects. Which of the following statements describes how gel electrophoresis can be used to determine which of the suspects' blood matches the blood found at the crime scene?

  1. DNA from the scene is assembled to form a complete strand that can be compared to the suspect samples.
  2. Specific genes are identified in the genomes of each suspect and then compared to those found at the scene.
  3. DNA fragments are separated by size due to their negative charges so that the evidence and suspect samples can be compared to the blood found at the scene.
  4. Individual full-length chromosomes are matched with their homologues to determine which suspect sample is most similar to the evidence.
Answer
Correct Response: C.

Correct Response: C.

Objective 0010
Apply knowledge of the principles of genetics to understand the inheritance and variation of traits.

10. A flower with an unknown genotype expresses a dominant trait. Which of the following crosses can be used to determine the flower's genotype?

  1. Cross the flower with another flower that is dominant for the trait; if all the offspring show the dominant trait, it is heterozygous.
  2. Cross the flower with a homozygous recessive flower; if any of the offspring show the recessive trait, it is heterozygous.
  3. Cross the flower with a heterozygous flower; if half of the offspring show the dominant trait, it is homozygous dominant.
  4. Cross-pollinate the flower with itself; if all the offspring show the dominant trait, it is heterozygous.
Answer
Correct Response: B.

Correct Response: B.