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New STAAR test Semester 1

Last updated 4 months ago

51 questions

Note from the author:

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BIO.9.B

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This is a collection of NEW FORMAT STAAR questions for Semester 1 (units 1, 2, 3). Feel free to make a copy and use it as you wish!

Question 1

1.

Giant sequoias can grow to be nearly 100 meters (328 feet) tall. They rely on a complex transport system to allow water to travel from the roots to the leaves at the top of the tree. Which vascular tissue allows water to travel upward and explain the process. Record your answer in the space provided.

Question 2

2.

Question 3

3.

Question 4

4.

Question 5

5.

Question 6

6.

Question 7

7.

Question 8

8.

Question 9

9.

Question 10

10.

Question 11

11.

Question 12

12.

Question 13

13.

Question 14

14.

Question 15

15.

A bacteriophage uses the lysogenic cycle to replicate itself. Describe the bacteriophage’s replication process. Be sure to include information about what happens to the host cell during and as a result of this cycle.

Read the question carefully. Then enter your answer in the box provided.

Question 16

16.

Question 17

17.

Question 18

18.

Which plant structures are DIRECTLY involved in the production and transport of glucose? Select TWO correct answers.

Question 19

19.

Question 20

20.

Question 21

21.

Question 22

22.

Question 23

23.

Question 24

24.

Question 25

25.

Question 26

26.

Question 27

27.

A researcher determines an organism to be eukaryotic, unicellular, and autotrophic.  According to these characteristics, this organism be belong to the _______ taxonomic group.

Question 28

28.

Question 29

29.

Question 30

30.

Question 31

31.

Question 32

32.

Question 33

33.

A student makes a Venn diagram to compare the functions of carbohydrates and lipids.
Which cellular function of carbohydrates and lipids should be placed in the shared section of the Venn diagram?

Other Answer Choices:

Catalyst for Chemical Reactions

Hormone Production

Energy Storage

Structural Support

Question 34

34.

Students construct a graphic organizer to illustrate the different levels of biological organization.

Which term does the letter X represent in the graphic organizer?

Other Answer Choices:

Biosphere

Cell

Ecosystem

Organism

Question 35

35.

Question 36

36.

An illness caused by a certian virus includes fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, and headache. The virus is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms quickly occur within three to twelve days after contracting the virus. There is no vaccine for this virus.

Does this virus reproduce by Lytic or Lysogenic cycle? Explain your answer.

Question 37

37.

Question 38

38.

Question 39

39.

Question 40

40.

Question 41

41.

Question 42

42.

Using the word bank below, answer the following question:
Which type of movement across a cell's plasma membrane requires energy supplied by ATP?

Question 43

43.

Students studying the interaction among the reproductive parts of flowering plants make the graphic organizer shown.

Which terms best complete the numbered blanks in the flowchart?

Other Answer Choices:

Filament

Petals

Ovule

Stigma

Question 44

44.

Question 45

45.

Question 46

46.

A model of an enzyme and its corresponding substrate is shown.
Which part numbered below shows the activation site?

Question 47

47.

Question 48

48.

Question 49

49.

Question 50

50.

Which sequence represents the levels of organization found in a multicellular organism, from smallest to largest?  

_________  ___________  __________  _____________    

Other Answer Choices:

Tissue

Organ

Organism

Cell

Question 51

51.

Select the area or areas that show evidence of the use of an enzyme.

The relationship between two cellular processes is shown in the diagram. What is the relationship between the site of photosynthesis and the site of cellular respiration? Select the correct answer for each box.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. A diagram of the cell membrane is shown.

Part A 
Based on the diagram, which statement correctly describes how component W and component X transport molecules across the cell membrane?

Component W carries out active transport and component X carries out passive transport.

Component W carries out passive transport and component X carries out active transport.

Both component W and component X carry out active transport.

Both component W and component X carry out passive transport.

Part B 

What evidence supports the answer to Part A?

Component W uses energy to move molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, and component X uses energy to move molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration.

Component W uses energy to move molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration, while component X does not use energy to move molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Component W does not use energy to move molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration, while component X uses energy to move molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Component W does not use energy to move molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, and component X does not use energy to move molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration.

Two single-celled organisms are shown.
Which statements accurately compare the two organisms? Select TWO correct answers.

Organism Y is a eukaryotic cell, while Organism Z is a prokaryotic cell. 

Organism Z has a complex structure, while Organism Y has a simple structure.

Organism Y requires a host cell to reproduce, while Organism Z does not. 

Organism Z contains genetic material, while Organism Y does not. 

Organism Y contains membrane-bound organelles, while Organism Z does not.

A cell is shown with structure X and structure Y labeled. 
Which functions do structure X and structure Y carry out to maintain homeostasis and molecular transport within the cell? Select TWO correct answers.

Restricting molecules entering and exiting the cell

Producing proteins for the cell

Maintaining the size and shape of the cell 

Providing energy for the cell 

Regulating gene expression within the cell

A scientist is examining an unknown cell using an electron microscope. Which observed structure would indicate that the cell is MOST LIKELY prokaryotic?

Mitochondrion

Free-floating DNA

Chloroplast

Membrane-bound nucleus

A student is sweating after playing baskeball. Which body systems are MOST DIRECTLY interacting as a response to maintain homeostasis?

Digestive and Circulatory Systems

Immune and Integumentary Systems

Nervous and Integumentary Systems

Circulatory and Nervous Systems

Students investigate osmosis using dialysis tubing. Dialysis tubing is a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while preventing salt ions from passing through.
The students follow this procedure:
Mix salt into water to make a 7.1% salt solution.
Add equal amounts of this saltwater solution to four small bags made of dialysis tubing.
Fill four beakers with different salt solutions, as shown in the image.
Place each small bag into one of the four beakers.
Observe changes in the size of the bags.
The setup for the investigation is shown.

In which beaker will osmosis cause expansion of the dialysis tubing bag?

Beaker 1

Beaker 2

Beaker 3

Beaker 4

Which organ and tissue interact MOST DIRECTLY to absorb and transport water and dissolved minerals inside a plant?

Flower and Phloem

Root and Phloem

Flower and Xylem

Root and Xylem

Which two components are MOST LIKELY found in both viruses and prokaryotic cells?

Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates and Lipids

Lipids and Proteins

Proteins and Nucleic Acids

A cladogram for the six kingdoms of life is shown. 
Based on the cladogram, which TWO kingdoms contain organisms with chloroplasts?

Fungi and Archaea

Archaea and Protista

Protista and Plantae

Plantae and Fungi

Which statement BEST describes how enzymes affect the speed of a metabolic reaction?

Enzymes increase the concentration of reactants, which increases the speed of the reaction

Enzymes decrease the energy needed to start a reaction, which increases the speed of the reaction

Enzymes replace the reactants of the reaction, which decreases the speed of reaction

Enzymes prevent products from being converted back into reactants, which decreases the speed of reaction

Microorganisms are known to be present in some food products such as yogurt. One student claims that microorganisms in food always have a negative effect on human health, while a second student disagrees. The second student claims that some microorganisms in food can have a positive effect on human health.

Which statement BEST supports the second student’s claim?

Microorganism can destroy any pathogens that affect the immune system

Microorganism reproduce too slowly to affect the immune system

Microorganism known to be on food are no longer living and would not affect the digestive system

Microorganism can aid in the absorption of nutrients from food within the digestive system

A student is making models of cells and uses the following materials:
dried peas to represent ribosomes
shelled peanuts to represent mitochondria
uncooked noodles to represent DNA
shoestrings to represent the cell membrane
Which material would be used in a model of a eukaryotic cell but NOT a prokaryotic cell?

Dried peas (ribosomes)

Shelled Peanuts (mitochondria)

Uncooked noodles (DNA)

Shoe string (cell membrane)

Which molecules are the building blocks of DNA?

Protein

Fatty Acids

Nucleotides

Chromosomes

A student draws the dragonfly family cladogram shown, based on anatomical features. 

Which family of dragonflies shares the most recent common ancestor with the families Macromiidae and Corduliidae?

Family Calopterygidae

Family Aeshnidae

Family Libellulidae

Family Coenagrionidae

A student sees a red wolf at the zoo and wants to research specific information about the animal.

Which levels of taxonomy are BEST to use when researching specific information about the red wolf?

Kingdom and Species

Kingdom and Genus

Genus and Species

Species and Family

Which table correctly matches each type of biomolecule with its function in the cell membrane?

Which statement BEST describes the roles of glucose and oxygen in photosynthesis?

Glucose release chemical energy during photosynthesis, and oxygen is a product of photosynthesis

Glucose release chemical energy during photosynthesis, and oxygen is a reactant in photosynthesis

Glucose stores chemical energy during photosynthesis, and oxygen is a product of photosynthesis

Glucose stores chemical energy during photosynthesis, and oxygen is a reactant in photosynthesis

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. 

A cladogram is shown.

Part A 
Based on the information in the cladogram, which characteristic would likely be found in the most recent common ancestor of the leopard and the domestic cat but NOT in the other organisms?

Ability to purr 

Retractable claws 

Carnivorous teeth 

Hair

Part B 

Which additional piece of evidence would BEST support the answer to Part A?

They have limbs with a similar function

They have similar DNA sequences

They have diets of similar prey

They have similar coat colors

When the skin comes in contact with an irritant, receptors in the skin send signals to the spinal cord.  They 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?

Circulatory and Excretory

Integumentary and Nervous

Digestive  and Muscular

Respiratory and Lymphatic

Which statement describes the process of osmosis in an animal cell?

Sugar molecules move across the plasma membrane until the cell has enough energy to grow in size and divide.

Water molecules move across the plasma membrane until the solute concentrations are equal on both sides of the membrane.

Ions move across the plasma membrane until the inside of the cell has a higher concentration of positive charges.

Enzymes move across the plasma membrane until the cell has completed metabolism.

For an enzyme to be able to catalyze a reaction, the active site must-

be occupied by an inhibitor

increase the activation energy level

have a complementary shape to the substrate

cause the enzyme to be destroyed in the reaction

A flower that has both male and female reproductive structures is shown.

Which statement best describes an interaction that will allow a flowering plant to reproduce by self-pollination?

An anther is transferred from a filament withing the same flower.

An ovule is transferred from the ovary to a petal on a different flower.

A pollen grain is transferred from an anther to the stigma of the same flower.

An ovary is transferred from a flower on one plant to a flower on a different plant. 

Breaking down food for nutrients involves many body systems.  A student made a partial list of the processes that occur.

Which body systems interact most directly in the three listed processes?

Digestive, Integumentary, Muscular

Excretory, Immune, Muscular

Circulatory, Excretory, Immune

Circulatory, Digestive, Endocrine

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. 

Based on the dichotomous key, in addition to the shape of the bat's ears, which other set of features should the students look for to confirm the identity of the bat?

Solitary with a wingspan greater than 35 cm

Solitary with a wingspan less than 35 cm

Colonial with a wingspan greater than 35 cm

Colonial with a wingspan less than 35 cm

Materials are provided to students to build models of a prokaryotic cell, a eukaryotic cell, and a virus.  The materials and the structures they represent are listed in the table shown.

Which material will students use in all three models?

Yellow paper oval

Gray paper hexagon

Blue yarn

Purple buttons

Students set up a controlled experiment by growing the same type of seedlings in two different locations.  After a period of time, the students observed the seedlings and recorded their observations in the table shown. 

What caused the shoots of the seedlings on the windowsill to bend toward the window?

Hormones produced in response to the light stimulus

Sugars produces in response to a gravity stimulus

Carbon dioxide produced in response to a water stimulus

Water produced in response to a nitrogen stimulus

Two scientists want to compare their redearch of fireflies.  Which information must the two scientists provide to each other to determine if they studied the same type of fireflies?

Size of the firefly population

Type of habitat in which the fireflies live

Color of light produced by the fireflies

Species name of the fireflies studied

A dichotomous key of different mollusks is shown.

Which mollusk moves by jet propulsion and does not have an external shell?

Squid

Slug

Nautilus

Snail

Which statement best describes how a virus replicates?

A virus divides into two identical virus particles before infecting the host cell.

A virus enters a host cell and uses the materials from the host cell to produce new virus particles.

Multiple virus particles fuse and form a large particle that breaks apart, releasing new virus particles.

Multiple virus particles break down in component parts, which then reassemble into new copies of the virus.

The picture below shows an example of a plants response, in which they move and grow toward an object the plant comes into physical contact with, and curling around an object.

PART A

What is the name of the response pictured above?

Phototropism

Geotropism

Hydrotropism

Thigmotropism

PART B
This response of the plants shoot system benefits the plant by allowing the them to-

produce more pollen for pollinators

take in more carbon dioxide to convert into glucose

absorb more water to transport to the leaves

reach more sunlight for photosynthesis

Which characteristic do all organisms in Kingdoms Animalia, Protista, and Fungi have in common?

They are eukaryotic.

They are prokaryotic.

They are unicellular.

They are multicellular.

The graph shows the oxygen consumed by an athlete during different stages of training.  

Based on the graph, which process is occurring between minute 5 and minute 10?

Nuclei are building amino acids for energy storage.

Ribosomes are building carbohydrates to increase energy output.

Chloroplasts are using energy to produce oxygen.

Mitochondria are using oxygen to produce ATP.

Which statments best compare a function of proteins and lipids in a human cell?

Proteins provide energy for cellular processes.  Lipids catalyze chemical reactions inside the cell.

Proteins catalyze chemical reactions inside the cell.  Lipids allow for the transport of certain molecules into and out of the cell.

Proteins allow for the transport of certain molecules into and out of the cell.  Lipids store genetic information for cells.

Proteins store genetic information for cells.  Lipids provide energy for cellular processes.

Both the respiratory system and the digestive system involve the uptake of necessary molecules from an animal's surroundings.  Alveoli are tiny sacs that aid in the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the lungs.  Intestinal villi are tiny projections along the lining of the intestines used to take in nutrients from food passing through.

Which system must interact with the respiratory and digestive systems to transport gases and nutrients throughout the body?

Endocrine

Integumentary

Immune

Circulatory

Water, sugar, and other important nutrients need to be transported from one part of a plant to another.  Which statement correctly describes the interaction of the root and shoot systems during nutrient transport?

The leaves take in water and sugar, which are then transported to the rest of the plant through vascular tissues.

The roots take in water and sugar, which are then transported to the rest of the plant through vascular tissues.

The leaves take in water and the roots produce sugar that are transported to the rest of the plant through vascular tissues.

The roots take in water and the leaves produce sugar that are transported to the rest of the plant through vascular tissues.