Biology Test Preparation Practice

    Traits And Natural Selection

    NGSS: HS-LS4-3

    Base your answers to questions 1 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.

    In order to determine the effect of a certain antibiotic on a species of microorganism, an investigation was carried out. A sample of a specific species of microorganism was added to 100 mL of a liquid culture medium. One mL of a solution of the antibiotic was then added to that culture medium. Each day at 10 a.m., 1 mL of the experimental culture medium was removed and the number of microorganisms in the 1-mL sample was determined. The 1 mL of experimental culture medium was replaced by 1 mL of new sterile culture medium to maintain a constant volume. The results are shown in the table below.

    scientific inquiry, data organization, plot and interpretation fig: lenv12013-exam_g17.png

    Directions: Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid, following the directions below.

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    Base your answers to questions 4 on the information and graphs below, and on your knowledge of biology. The diagrams below show the number of fish in a lake and the average water temperature in the lake for the months of May through October.

    During certain times of the year, bears feed heavily on a population of fish in a lake. At other times of the year, the bear population feeds primarily on fruits, berries, and insects.

    scientific inquiry, data organization, plot and interpretation fig: lenv12018-examw_g9.png

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    Base your answers to questions 5 on the information in the chart below and on your knowledge of biology.

    evolution, naturel selection fig: lenv12020-examw_g12.png

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    Base your answers to questions 11 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.

    Rising CO2 [Carbon Dioxide] Levels in Ocean Block Sharks’ Ability to Smell Prey

    …Changes in the chemistry of the world’s oceans expected by century’s end could impact the hunting ability of sharks, which depend heavily on their sense of smell to locate prey, researchers say.

    As ocean waters turn increasingly acidic from absorbing atmospheric CO2 created by human activities, the odor-detecting ability of sharks to locate prey could diminish, they say. …

    Source: Jim Algar, Tech Times, 9/9/14

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    Base your answer to question 12 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.

    In many areas, there are some small mammals whose fur color is influenced by temperature. In these animals, the trait for fur color is expressed only if the air temperature is above a certain level. In cold weather, when the ground is covered with snow, the trait is not expressed and the fur color is white.

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    Base your answer to question 13-17 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.

    New varieties of organisms have resulted from human activities. These organisms have often led to problems in modern society. Two of these new varieties are listed below.

    Antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pesticide-resistant insects

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    Base your answers to questions 18 on the passage below and on your knowledge of biology.

    Inherited instructions control the color patterns of snakes. Some snakes that are not poisonous have colors that resemble the patterns on poisonous snakes. Predators avoid eating harmless snakes that have color patterns similar to those of the poisonous snakes. The results of a recent study indicate that predators in areas that have only harmless snakes do not avoid attacking snakes that have color patterns similar to poisonous snakes.

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    Base your answers to questions 19 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.

    A woman wanted to remove the dandelion plants from her lawn. She went to the store and bought an herbicide spray that was supposed to kill the dandelions. She sprayed it on her lawn according to the directions. Within two weeks, almost all of the dandelions had died; however, a few dandelions remained.

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