Assessment Instructions – Biology EOC Practice Assessment.
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The ribosome of the bacterium E. coli includes the ribosomal protein L4 (rpl4). The rpl4 gene carries the instructions for making rpl4 protein. Which of the following arguments provides support for the claim that E. coli has a common ancestor with all other organisms? DOK 2
Hemoglobin is a protein found in the red blood cells of vertebrates and in the plasma of many invertebrates. The function of this protein is to transport oxygen throughout the body and to bring carbon dioxide back to be expelled from the organism. If the amino acid sequence of the protein is altered, the mutated protein is not as efficient at carrying oxygen as is the normal hemoglobin. Which argument is supported by this information? DOK 2
Bromothymol blue (BTB) is a pH indicator that is also used to detect carbon dioxide (CO2) in water. BTB is blue when the pH of water is basic, and CO2 is low. BTB is yellow when the pH of water is acidic and CO2 is high. BTB is green when the pH of water is neutral.
Students are planning an investigation in which they will place the aquatic plant elodea in a test tube that contains water with a neutral pH of 7 and BTB. They will place a snail in another test tube with neutral water and BTB. The students will then place both elodea and a snail in a third test tube with neutral water and BTB.
Observing color change once the test tubes have been placed under a growth light for several hours will allow the students to answer which TWO questions?DOK 3 ALD 3
The model shows part of a process that uses tRNA.
Which description explains the role of the tRNA in the process shown in this model? DOK 1 ALD 2
A student is investigating genetic variations in chromosomes. The diagram shows two ways that meiosis can result in genetic variation.

The student makes two claims.
Claim 1: Genetic variation in example 1 is a result of non-disjunction.
Claim 2: Genetic variation in example 2 is a result of crossing over.
Move evidence into each box to construct arguments to support each claim. Not all evidence will be used. DOK 3 ALD 3
Heritable mutations caused by environmental factors result in the loss of entire chromosomes.
Homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material during meiosis.
Homologous chromosomes separate incorrectly, producing daughter cells with unequal amounts of genetic material.
Daughter cells are all haploid but are not genetically identical.
Daughter cells have too much or too little genetic material.
Deletions during replications are passed to daughter cells.
Supporting Evidence for Claim 1
Supporting Evidence for Claim 2
Today, the common type of banana we buy and eat is a Cavendish banana. They arose from chance mutants that were produced sexually from wild banana plants. The Cavendish banana is infertile and can only be produced by cloning from root shoots. Large commercial growers worldwide now plant only the mutant type. Some information about both types of banana is recorded in the table.

Part A
Why are scientists warning that exclusively growing this mutant type by asexual reproduction presents a serious disadvantage? DOK 3 ALD 3
Researchers recently compiled data about 2,300 mammal species and 6,700 bird species and determine that the number of species down at tropic latitudes is greater than the numbers found at temperate and polar latitudes.
Move the statements that best explains why biodiversity is the greatest in the tropics into the category. Not all statements will be used. DOK 2
Species in temporate and polar latitudes are better adapted to extreme weather.
Regions near the equator have a longer growing season for plants.
There is less land in temperate and polar latitudes.
Tropic latitudes experience less seasonal changes in climate.
There is a large amount of annual precipitation in tropic latitudes.
Temperate and polar latitudes have a large amount of water from snow melt.
Explanation of Greatest Biodiversity in the Tropics
Mrs. Smith separated her students into groups of 4. She gave each group a whiteboard and a set of markers. She instructed each group to make a model of the changes in eukaryotic cells during sexual reproduction. The model each group made looked like the diagram below:
Which statement below correctly explains the model to describe how mitosis maintains genetic continuity? DOK 1
Scientists studied a species of phytoplankton. These phytoplankton are primary producers and are an important part of marine food webs. As all organisms are regulated by their environment, so are the phytoplankton. The scientists looked at the relationship between the phytoplankton population and a virus population found in the same environment. They created three environments in a laboratory setting to collect data on the numbers of phytoplankton and viruses over a period of time and graphed the results once they were averaged, as shown below.

The scientists claimed that the growth and stability of the phytoplankton populations were affected by the viruses. Using the information given, which TWO arguments support this claim? DOK 3
Portions of the protein sequence alignments for a group of ciliates are shown.
Which cladogram BEST represents these data? DOK 2 ALD 3
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found throughout eastern North America. They are omnivores, feeding on nectar, pollen, tree sap, insects, and spiders. They get all the water they need from nectar. Most nests are in forested areas, citrus groves, marshes, and scrubland. The hummingbirds breed in the spring and the summer, and females raise one to three broods per breeding season. Most of the hummingbirds migrate to Mexico or Central America for the winter. Many fly nonstop for 20 hours to cross the Gulf of Mexico. However, increasing numbers of the hummingbirds have begun to winter north of the gulf. Researchers have documented that the hummingbirds’ winter range has expanded northward by about 300 kilometers in recent years.
Which explanation BEST predicts the ability of the hummingbirds to survive their first winter in this new environment? DOK 3
Students studied Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment. They created a Punnett square to show a cross between a homozygous furred mouse (FF) and a homozygous furless mouse (ff). The students then created a second Punnett square for a cross between two heterozygous F1 mice.
Which question could be answered using the information from the Punnett squares? DOK 2
Students studied Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment. They created a Punnett square to show a cross between a homozygous furred mouse (FF) and a homozygous furless mouse (ff). The students then created a second Punnett square for a cross between two heterozygous F1 mice.
Which question could be answered using the information from the Punnett squares? DOK 2
The diagram shows an incomplete pedigree for the inheritance of an autosomal dominant trait (allele G). With autosomal dominant traits, only one copy of the allele is needed for the trait to be inherited and expressed by offspring.
Move the shapes to complete the pedigree based on the inheritance patterns for an autosomal dominant trait. Each option will be used only once. DOK 3





A male and female have a child that has three copies of chromosome 18. Although both parents are unaffected, their doctor claims that the disorder associated with having an extra chromosome 18 is the result of a chromosomal mutation in cells that carry inherited material. Which argument supports this claim? DOK 2
Two students are given a list of characteristics for a certain organism:

Student 1 classifies the organism as a prokaryote, and Student 2 classifies it as a eukaryote.
Which student correctly classifies the organism and why? DOK 2 ALD2
Some information about bacteria and viruses is shown.

Which argument about bacteria and viruses is supported by this information? DOK 3 ALD3
Scientists studied a species of phytoplankton. These phytoplankton are primary producers and are an important part of marine food webs. As all organisms are regulated by their environment, so are the phytoplankton. The scientists looked at the relationship between the phytoplankton population and a virus population found in the same environment. They created three environments in a laboratory setting to collect data on the numbers of phytoplankton and viruses over a period of time and graphed the results once they were averaged, as shown below.

The scientists claimed that the growth and stability of the phytoplankton populations were affected by the viruses. Based on the information given, which TWO arguments support this claim? DOK 3 ALD3