STAAR Biology Exam May 2021 PDF

STAAR ® State of Texas Assessments of...

STAAR ® State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Biology Administered May 2021 RELEASED Copyright © 2021, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this work is prohibited without express written permission from the Texas Education Agency.  BIOLOGY Biology Page 3 DIRECTIONS Read each question carefully. Determine the best answer to the question from the four answer choices provided. Then fill in the answer on your answer document. 1 When the skin comes in contact with an irritant, receptors in the skin send signals to the spinal cord. The signal is then sent to the brain for processing, and the individual begins to scratch the affected area. Which two systems are most likely interacting when a person experiences itching caused by a skin irritant? A Circulatory and excretory B Integumentary and nervous C Digestive and muscular D Respiratory and lymphatic 2 During the cell cycle, proteins called cyclins bind to enzymes that send signals for the cell to progress through stages of cell replication. At the end of this cycle, the cyclins degrade to prevent further signaling for the cell to divide. Uncontrolled production of cyclins will most likely result in — F the formation of tumors G the immediate death of the cell H the transfer of cyclins to other cells J the formation of haploid cells Biology Page 4  3 An illustration of how a particular DNA mutation will most likely affect the polypeptide produced is shown. Original DNA strand 3’ 5’ G T A G T A G T A G T A G T A G T A G T A His His His His His His His Mutated DNA strand 3’ 5’ G T A G T A G T A G G A G T A G T A G T A His His His Pro His His His What type of mutation is illustrated? A Insertion B Translocation C Substitution D Deletion 4 Farmers spray pesticides on their plants to protect the plants from being eaten by insects. Some individual insects have a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the toxins in the pesticides. Which statement best describes how only a few resistant individuals resulted in the pesticide becoming ineffective? F The resistant insects change the toxin on the plants, making it safe for others. G The resistant insects grow larger and eat less of the plants. H The resistant insects eat the contaminated surface and leave the rest for others. J The resistant insects are able to survive to reproduce and create a population that is also resistant. Biology Page 5  5 The defenses of two flightless birds that live in different habitats are shown. Gentoo Penguin Common Ostrich Picture Habitat Antarctic islands African savanna Wings are flattened and Leg muscles are located closer to tapered, like paddles, allowing Defenses the body, allowing ostriches to run penguins to swim and jump out at speeds up to 70 km/h. of water at speeds up to 22 km/h. How do the wings of the Gentoo penguin and the legs of the common ostrich provide an advantage in their habitat? A Allows them to find prey B Allows them to escape from predators C Allows them to control their body temperature D Allows them to be camouflaged in their environments 6 Which property is shared by the cells of all living things? F The cells contain DNA composed of adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. G The cells are surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer and a cell wall made of cellulose. H The cells have chromosomes that are located inside a membrane-bound nucleus. J The cells rely on mitochondria to carry out aerobic cellular respiration. Biology Page 6  7 The flow of energy in a grassland ecosystem is shown. Hognose snake Owl Toad Spider Rabbit Cricket Sparrow Grass Mouse Based on the diagram, which two populations best represent trophic levels that receive the LEAST amount of the total energy provided to the ecosystem by the grass? A Crickets and sparrows B Toads and spiders C Rabbits and mice D Hognose snakes and owls Biology Page 7  8 The life cycle of a frog is illustrated in the diagram. Fertilized eggs Embryos Adult frog Young frog Tadpoles with legs Which statement best explains how the cell cycle is important to the life cycle of the frog? F It enables frogs to produce tadpoles that are clones. G It allows frogs to grow, develop, and reproduce. H It prevents overproduction of frog offspring. J It ensures the best adapted frogs survive and pass on traits to offspring. Biology Page 8  9 Which graphic organizer best compares the energy inputs and outputs of cellular respiration and photosynthesis? Chemical Thermal Light A energy Cellular energy energy Photosynthesis respiration Light Chemical Chemical B energy energy Cellular energy Photosynthesis respiration Chemical Thermal Chemical C energy energy Cellular energy Photosynthesis respiration Light Chemical Thermal D energy Cellular energy energy Photosynthesis respiration 10 Overfishing is causing the decline of fish populations, such as Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean. Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna are caught faster than they can reproduce. Which statement describes the most likely effect that overfishing will have on this ecosystem? F Overfishing makes the ecosystem more stable by increasing competition for limited resources. G Overfishing decreases the stability of the ecosystem by disrupting food chains. H Overfishing has no effect on ecosystem’s stability because it affects one species out of many. J Overfishing increases ecosystem stability by allowing prey populations to overproduce. Biology Page 9  11 A segment of DNA is shown in the diagram. DNA Segment X Which of these identifies the part of the DNA segment labeled X? A Nucleotide B Phosphate group C Hydrogen bond D Deoxyribose Biology Page 10  12 Which statements best compare the function of an ATP molecule to a DNA molecule? F ATP carries and transmits the genetic information of organisms. DNA serves as a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions. G ATP provides energy for chemical reactions in the cell. DNA carries and transmits the genetic information of organisms. H ATP serves as a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions. DNA acts as a structural sugar in the cell walls of plants. J ATP acts as a structural sugar in the cell walls of plants. DNA provides energy for chemical reactions in the cell. 13 A cladogram of five species is shown. Turtle Horse Wolf Tiger House cat Ability Retractable to purr Vertebral Sharp claws Hair teeth column Four limbs Based on the cladogram, the ancestral species most likely had — A a vertebral column B a vertebral column and hair C sharp teeth and retractable claws D the ability to purr Biology Page 11  14 Students created note cards comparing characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Which set of note cards most accurately compares these cells? F Eukaryotic Cells Prokaryotic Cells No nucleus or other Membrane-bound nucleus membrane-bound or organelles organelles DNA chromosomes in the DNA chromosome in the nucleus cytoplasm G Eukaryotic Cells Prokaryotic Cells No nucleus or other Membrane-bound nucleus membrane-bound or organelles organelles DNA chromosomes in the DNA chromosome in the cytoplasm cytoplasm H Eukaryotic Cells Prokaryotic Cells No membrane-bound Membrane-bound nucleus nucleus or organelles or organelles DNA chromosomes in the DNA chromosome in the cytoplasm nucleus J Eukaryotic Cells Prokaryotic Cells No membrane-bound Membrane-bound nucleus nucleus or organelles or organelles DNA chromosomes in the DNA chromosome in the nucleus nucleus Biology Page 12  15 The Mexican long-nosed bat roosts in Big Bend National Park in West Texas. The bat feeds on nectar and pollen and hovers while it feeds. Additionally, its tongue can extend up to eight centimeters. The features of Mexican long-nosed bats are evidence of natural selection because the features are adaptations that — A lead to an increase in predation by other species of animals B show that most DNA mutations are necessary and advantageous but do not increase survival or reproductive success C help individuals outcompete other individuals for food resources to increase survival and reproductive success D are the result of intentional breeding 16 Which statement describes the process of osmosis in an animal cell? F Sugar molecules move across the plasma membrane until the cell has enough energy to grow in size and divide. G Water molecules move across the plasma membrane until solute concentrations are equal on both sides of the membrane. H Ions move across the plasma membrane until the inside of the cell has a higher concentration of positive charges. J Enzymes move across the plasma membrane until the cell has completed metabolism. 17 Sand dunes along the coast are formed of bare sand. Eventually, grasses take root on the dunes. Over time, larger plants such as shrubs and trees are able to grow at the edge of the sand dune ecosystem. This gradual change in plant communities of a sand dune ecosystem can result in — A reduced symbiotic relationships between producers and bacteria B reduced energy absorption by consumers C greater erosion rates D greater species diversity Biology Page 13  18 A researcher determines an organism to be eukaryotic, unicellular, and autotrophic. In which taxonomic group should this organism be classified? F Bacteria G Protista H Archaea J Animalia 19 For an enzyme to be able to catalyze a reaction, the active site must — A be occupied by an inhibitor B increase the activation energy level C have a complementary shape to the substrate D cause the enzyme to be destroyed in the reaction 20 Snowshoe hares can be found living in the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. During the summer months, when there is no snow on the ground, the snowshoe hare’s coat color is typically brown. During the winter months, when the mountains are covered in snow, the snowshoe hare’s coat is typically white. Which statement describes the genetic basis for the seasonal changes in coat color? F The snow causes mutations in the genes that regulate coat color so that snowshoe hares are adapted to their environment during the winter months. G The genes that control coat color are regulated by hormone signals that are altered by changes in environmental factors. H Sunlight causes cancer cells to develop in the bodies of snowshoe hares, resulting in an apparent brown-colored coat as a result of hair loss. J The genes that control coat color in snowshoe hares are deleted from the genome during the summer months. Biology Page 14  21 In an experiment, two plants are grown together for a time and then separated. Plant 2 is a parasite of Plant 1. Which graph best predicts the growth of Plant 1 and Plant 2 during the experiment? Plant Mass KEY A Plant 1 Plant 2 Together Separated Time Plant Mass KEY B Plant 1 Plant 2 Together Separated Time Plant Mass KEY C Plant 1 Plant 2 Together Separated Time Plant Mass KEY D Plant 1 Plant 2 Together Separated Time Biology Page 15  22 When multiple transitional fossils are found in many rock layers, they provide evidence of — F seasonal variation in the diet of a species G gradual change of a species over time H DNA functioning as the genetic material of organisms J an unchanging environment 23 Environmental factors typically activate genes in a cell by causing the cell to — A produce identical daughter cells through mitosis B form haploid gamete cells through meiosis C fuse with another cell to increase the size of its genome D transcribe specific DNA segments to mRNA for translation Biology Page 16  24 A flower that has both male and female reproductive structures is shown. Stigma Style Filament Petal Ovary Anther with pollen grains Ovule Which statement best describes an interaction that will allow a flowering plant to reproduce by self-pollination? F An anther is transferred from a filament to another filament within the same flower. G An ovule is transferred from the ovary to a petal on a different flower. H A pollen grain is transferred from an anther to the stigma of the same flower. J An ovary is transferred from a flower on one plant to a flower on a different plant. 25 A genetic cross involving two unlinked genes is represented. AaGG x aaGg Which genotype is NOT possible in the offspring produced by the cross? A AaGG B Aagg C aaGg D aaGG Biology Page 17  26 Breaking down food for nutrients involves many body systems. A student made a partial list of the processes that occur. Salivary enzymes begin to break down starch molecules in food. Gastrointestinal enzymes are released in response to a hormone signal. Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. Which body systems interact most directly in the three listed processes? F Digestive H Circulatory Integumentary Excretory Muscular Immune G Excretory J Circulatory Immune Digestive Muscular Endocrine Biology Page 18  27 A partial DNA segment and an mRNA codon chart are shown. 3′ T C A T G C A T G 5′ mRNA Codon Chart Phenyl- alanine Glycin cine Glu aci Leu tam d e As a e rin pa c i d ic CAGUCAGU Se rti GU C e c A A in os Al an U C G U Ty r G in e A C U ) G top C A (S A C A C G U e GU tein GU Cys Valine CAG UCA U G (Stop) Tryptophan A C U GA C G U A C Arginine Leucin e ne UG UG Seri A C A C e sin C A A Pr C Ly oli G G U ne U G U ne gi A C ra C A pa UG G Hi As A C UGA C U e st Glu in id e on in nin tam ine Argin e re Th hio Isoleuc ine ine Met What amino acid sequence is encoded in the partial DNA segment? A Serine – Threonine – Tyrosine B Serine – Serine – Tyrosine C Serine – Threonine – Methionine D Serine – Alanine – Methionine Biology Page 19  28 A farmer is struggling to control the population of a certain insect on his farm. After researching population control techniques, he discovers that a particular bird is a predator of this insect. The farmer purchases a number of these birds and releases them onto his farm. How might the farmer’s action most likely have a negative impact on the ecosystem? F The birds will increase biodiversity of native plant species. G The birds will pollinate native species, increasing genetic variation. H The birds will consume beneficial insects, as well as the pest species. J The birds will mate with native birds and create a new species. Biology Page 20  29 Students examine images of a certain species of bat commonly found in Texas. Using the bat dichotomous key, they conclude that the bat species is a Mexican free-tailed bat due to its large, round ears. Bat Dichotomous Key 1a Solitary bat....................................................Go to 2 1b Colonial bat....................................................Go to 3 2a >35-cm wingspan...........................................Hoary bat 2b 35-cm wingspan...........................................Big brown bat 3b