Practice Test 91 - High School Biology

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

Start practice test

1. A farmer applies the same pesticide to a crop year after year. In the first year, only a few insects in the pest population survive because they carry a heritable allele that reduces the pesticide's effect. After many insect generations, most pests survive the pesticide. Which statement best explains why the farmer observes less pesticide effectiveness over time?
2. Cellular respiration can be summarized by the equation: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP (energy). Which substances are the reactants (inputs) in this process?
3. Two students have similar genotypes related to muscle development. Student 1 does regular strength training for a year; Student 2 does not exercise. Student 1 develops noticeably larger muscles. Which statement best describes the relationship among genotype, environment, and phenotype here?
4. Honeybees live in colonies, and a worker that finds a rich patch of flowers can communicate its location to other workers. What advantage of group living does this example show?
5. Average summer temperatures in a mountain region rise over several decades. A cold-adapted animal that used to live across the entire mountain is now found only near the highest elevations, where temperatures remain cooler. What is the most likely explanation for this change?
6. A fishery targets a species whose population declined due to overharvesting. Scientists recommend a reduced catch limit for 5 years, plus seasonal closures during spawning. Fishers argue that any reduction will "destroy the fishery." Which evaluation is most accurate about sustainable use as a biodiversity strategy?
7. A grassland site burned in a wildfire (Year 0). Ecologists tracked plant species richness (number of plant species in 10 quadrats) and aboveground plant biomass (g/m$^2$). Time-series data: - Pre-fire (Year -1): richness = 42; biomass = 610 - Year 0 (2 months after fire): richness = 14; biomass = 120 - Year 1: richness = 27; biomass = 380 - Year 2: richness = 35; biomass = 520 - Year 4: richness = 40; biomass = 590 Based on the data, which statement best describes the recovery trajectory by Year 4?
8. A student says, "The ribosome is where the protein is assembled from the mRNA message." What is the ribosome's main role during translation?
9. A mutation is defined as a permanent change in the DNA base sequence. Which statement best distinguishes how different mutation types can affect proteins?
10. Which option best explains why offspring produced by sexual reproduction are usually genetically different from both parents and from their siblings?
11. A sealed terrarium contains a small plant, a snail, and decomposers in the soil. The terrarium is sealed so no gases enter or leave, but it sits near a window where sunlight can enter and heat can escape. Which model best represents how matter cycles (CO2, H2O, O2, glucose) between photosynthesis and cellular respiration while energy flows through the system?
12. Which sequence correctly shows the basic levels of DNA packaging from smallest to most condensed in a human cell?
13. Claim: Two separated populations of the same bird species are diverging (evolving differences) after being isolated on two islands. Evidence: 1) In 1990, both islands had similar average song pitch; by 2020, Island 1 average pitch increased while Island 2 average pitch decreased. 2) In 2020, DNA comparisons show the two island populations have different allele frequencies at several gene locations. 3) In 2020, some individual birds can change their song slightly when they hear recordings of other birds. 4) The two islands are 300 km apart, with no observed migration between them since 1990. Which evaluation best supports the claim of population divergence?
14. A sealed glass terrarium contains a small plant, a snail, and decomposers in the soil. The terrarium is sealed so no gases enter or leave, but it sits near a window where sunlight enters and heat can leave. Which model best represents matter cycling (CO2, H2O, O2, glucose) between photosynthesis and cellular respiration while energy flows one-way?
15. Photosynthesis can be summarized by the equation: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O +$ light energy $\rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$. Which list correctly identifies the reactants (inputs) needed for photosynthesis?
16. A plant uses glucose to build cellulose for its cell walls. Which statement best describes how cellulose is formed from glucose?
17. A deer population is graphed with population size (y-axis) vs. time (x-axis). The curve rises quickly and then becomes almost horizontal around 1,000 deer for several years. What does the leveling off near 1,000 deer most likely indicate?
18. A population is plotted as population size (y-axis) versus time (x-axis). Which statement best describes what happens to the growth rate as the population approaches the plateau near $K$?
19. A shallow lake has frequent summer algal blooms that lower oxygen levels and cause fish kills. Testing shows high nitrate and phosphate runoff from nearby farms after rainstorms. The town proposes two strategies: Strategy 1: Work with farmers to reduce fertilizer application rates, plant vegetated buffer strips along streams, and avoid fertilizing before heavy rain (source reduction). Strategy 2: Buy equipment to skim and remove algae from the lake whenever blooms appear (treatment after the fact). Which evaluation best explains which strategy will be more effective for long-term reduction of fish kills and why?
20. During a winter soccer game, a player's core body temperature drops from 37.0°C to 36.2°C. Thermoreceptors in the skin and brain detect the decrease and the body responds by shivering and narrowing blood vessels in the skin. After 20 minutes, core temperature rises back to about 36.9°C and shivering slows. Which option best explains why this is negative feedback?

Practice tests