Biology Pretest
1. Suppose 12,900 kilocalories of energy were available to the organisms at the bottom level of the diagram.
How many kilocalories of energy would be available to the organisms at the fish level?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Approximately 12,900
Approximately 1,290
Not more then 129
Not more than 12.9
2. The role of the shrubs and grasses in the food web is best described as:
a.
b.
c.
d.
An animal shelter
A source of seeds
A source of energy
A place for nests
3. In this food web, which level will be found in least numbers?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Producers
Level 1 consumers
Level 2 consumers
Level 3 consumers
4. Read the following before answering the question:
The forest is calm and serene until a lumberjack presses his chain saw into the bark of a 200-year old Douglas fir.
The searing steel saw rips through the bark and past the thin cells of living tissue. In less than two minutes the noble
giant succumbs and crashes to the earth. Life is extinguished as tree after tree is severed from the earth. Acre after
acre is destroyed with wanton abandon. As the carnage grows, habitat for vulnerable species is lost forever.
What is the tone of the article?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Against the lumber industry
Supportive of the lumber industry
A factual account of lumber industry practices
A neutral and objective look at the lumber industry
5. If carbon dioxide were removed from the biosphere, which organism would first experience biological effects?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Producers
Primary consumers
Secondary consumers
Third-level consumers
6. Two scientists decided to study the reproduction of swallowtail butterflies.
Scientist #1 collected one female and placed it in a cage with its food. He observed it lay several eggs which
hatched, grew, molted, eventually pupating and emerging into adult butterflies. He recorded his observations.
From this information, he wrote a description of the life cycle of the swallowtail.
Scientist #2 collected several females and mated some to members of their own population, some to members of a
neighboring population, and some to different species. She carried out the experiment, recorded and analyzed her
results and wrote her conclusions.
Which of the following is correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Only scientist #2 followed scientific procedures
Only scientist #1 followed scientific procedures
Neither scientist followed scientific procedures
Both scientists followed scientific procedures
7. A pond is overgrown with algae. One possible method of controlling the algae calls for the introduction of an
herbicide into the water. But the herbicide is known to accumulate in fatty tissues of animals. What will be the
effect of this chemical on the food chain as it moves upward through the consumer levels?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It would decrease in concentration
It would increase in concentration
It would remain the same in concentration
It would have no effect on the consumer levels
8. Your class assignment is to learn about the interactions of biotic factors in an ecosystem by conducting an
experiment. On the first day, you created two miniature ecosystems in two jars:
Jar 1 – 20 seedlings in soil, 40 aphids (seedling eating bugs), water as needed
Jar 2 – 20 seedlings in soil, 40 aphids, 3 lady bugs, water as needed
The daily aphid count is shown in the table below. What would be a good hypothesis for this experiment?
ECOSYSTEM EXPERIMENT
Number of Aphids
Day
Jar 1
Jar 2
2
40
34
3
39
28
4
39
23
5
37
18
a.
b.
c.
d.
If I add lady bugs, then the number of aphids in the jar will decrease.
If I put the seedlings into fertilized soil, then they will grow two inches each week.
If I add ladybugs, the number of seedlings will increase tenfold.
If I add aphids to the jar, the seedlings will die.
9. Your mother wants to go on a high-protein, no-carbohydrate diet. You tell her she should look on the government
website to find out about the functions of proteins and carbohydrates. She tells you later that carbohydrates help
provide energy for the body and so she will not go on this diet. What does this scenario demonstrate?
a. Knowledge about macromolecules is important for everyone, not just scientists.
b. Knowledge about macromolecules is important only for the food industry researchers to know as they make
new processed food.
c. Knowledge about macromolecules is difficult for everyone, but the government knows what we need.
d. Knowledge about macromolecules is unimportant, as long as people get a good diet to follow.
10. Which of the following statements is true about enzymes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
They are poisonous if combined with starches
They will react with most body chemicals
They usually slow down reactions and prevent overheating of cells
They usually speed up chemical reactions
11. A student would like to know more about how carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids affect the human body. Which
topic would be the most useful and relevant to look up in the library for this assignment?
a.
b.
c.
d.
How adhesion contributes to the maintenance of cells
How fermentation rates are affected by some enzymes
The major chemical elements in the human body
The role of macromolecules in the production of energy
12. The figure below shows an amoeba at different stages engulfing a food particle. Use the diagram to answer the
question. What process is occurring at #1?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Waste product is being expelled from the cell
The lysosome and vacuole are joining to digest the food
The cytoplasm is flowing into the food vacuole
The cell membrane is engulfing a food particle
13. The question below is based on the following diagram and information.
A plant and a candle were placed beneath an airtight bell jar in light as shown. Three days later the candle was
ignited by means of an electrical apparatus and burned for a minute before going out. Before any conclusions can
be made about the effect of the plant on the air, this investigation should be repeated with which change?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Remove the plant from the jar
Remove the candle from the jar
Use a larger bell jar
Use a different species of plant
14. Which most precisely identifies the production of energy for life’s activities?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Circulation
Chemical digestion
Excretion
Cellular respiration
15. At one time, many people believed that life spontaneously arose from non-living things. For example, many people
believed that spoiled meat produced living maggots. Why was spontaneous generation accepted back then but is no
longer accepted as a valid theory today?
a. The current theory of the origin of life has now been proven.
b. In science, theories do not last more than 100 years; they are replaced because they get old.
c. In the past, the best data available to scientists supported the idea but today the scientific community has
collected new data.
d. Spontaneous generation was only a hypothesis, was never viewed as a theory, and was disproved by the
famous scientist Louis Pasteur.
16. Assume that this diagram represents the nosepiece and objective lenses of a microscope. Under low power
magnification, 63 evenly distributed yeast cells can be seen on a slide. About how many of these same yeast cells
will you see when you turn the nose piece to higher power?
a.
b.
c.
d.
7
21
126
189
17. How has cell theory affected human life?
a.
b.
c.
d.
We have modern electronics and computers.
We can understand and cure many diseases.
We have improved transportation and communication.
We are better able to use Earth’s mineral resources.
18. Use the diagram below to answer this question:
Let the diagram represent the respiratory system of a normal adult human. What action causes the balloons to
inflate?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The stopper is removed from the glass jar.
The rubber membrane moves upward.
The rubber membrane moves downward.
Air is sucked into the balloons by the tube at the top.
19. Which of the following sequences represents the correct order of organization from simple to most complex?
a.
b.
c.
d.
cell, organ, tissue, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem
muscle tissue, muscle, muscle cell, muscle man
heart cell, heart tissue, heart, circulatory system
organism, organ system, organ, tissue, cell, organic compounds, atoms
20. In the plant, where does MOST of the photosynthesis take place?
a.
b.
c.
d.
leaf
stem
root
flower
21. Students wanted to see if there was any relationship between the shape and structure of human bones and the
purpose they serve.
Student A collected several human bones, placed them in their position in a model of a skeleton and inferred the
function of each. The student concluded that “Even though they were located in different parts of the body they
helped give the body shape and hold it together.”
Student B looked at x-rays of bones and observed that the skull served to protect the brain, the long tibia helped the
body move, and the flap of the scapula anchored a large muscle. She concluded that “Each bone’s structure relates
to its purpose.”
Which student conducted a correct scientific investigation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Neither, they didn’t write a hypothesis or record their data in a table.
Student A only because he made inferences based on his observations.
Student B only because she used a good instrument to collect data and she made a true conclusion.
Both, they observed, collected data, and their conclusions related to their question and their data.
22. Many research hours have been spent studying the effect of caffeine on the nervous system and sleeping difficulties.
Food scientists have recommended that people reduce their intake of caffeine in the later afternoon and early
evening so they will be able to sleep better. Which of the following statements best describes this scenario?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Caffeine’s use should be restricted to stop any digestive problems.
Science provides information, most of which is not relevant to humans.
Science provides information which can improve the quality of life.
Caffeine’s use should be increase as it helps make the heart beat stronger.
23. An investigation was carried out to determine what factors cause an increase in the rate of breathing during
exercise. Samples of blood oxygen, blood carbon dioxide, and blood lactic acid concentration were collected from
athletes before and after exercise. Which statement does this demonstrate?
a. Using scientific methods can help anyone, not just scientists.
b. Collecting appropriate samples for an investigation is so complicated that only scientists can do science.
c. Only fully trained scientists should attempt to use scientific methods in human subjects.
d. Before scientific data can be used by people, it must be translated into everyday language.
24. Which of the following is an example of sexual reproduction?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Division of an amoeba
Growth of an organism
Joining of egg and sperm
Mitosis in an egg
25. A normal human cell has 46 chromosomes. After a cell undergoes meiosis, how many chromosomes will the
resulting cells have?
a.
b.
c.
d.
23
46
69
92
26. Many cancer cells have a defective gene which prevents the cells from controlling their cell division. This lack of
control results in chromosome damage. How can this information be used?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It can only be used in treating rare cancer conditions.
To diagnose specific causes and treat the disease.
To stop the evolution of harmful chromosomes.
To help people monitor their diet more carefully.
27. Some people believe there should be laws against human DNA research. Others believe human DNA research will
benefit people. What is the role of science in this debate?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Science provides information to inform policy makers about ethical issues.
Science makes laws against certain kinds of unpopular research.
Science tells people they cannot have children if they have bad genes.
Science convinces the media to establish policy.
28. From the information shown below, if the red genotype (R) is dominate, what % of the offspring will show the red
phenotype?
R
r
a.
b.
c.
d.
R
RR
Rr
r
Rr
rr
25
50
75
100
29. Using T = tall and t = short. If a Tt male crosses with a Tt female, what is the genotype ratio?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2:1:2
4:0
3:1
1:2:1
30. In 1973, two scientists created genetically altered bacteria by inserting frog DNA into the bacteria. What is this
process of manipulating DNA known as?
a.
b.
c.
d.
translation
genetic engineering
DNA replication
mutation
31. In 1944 Oswald Avery and his co-workers determined that genes are composed of DNA. In 1952 Rosalind Franklin
studied DNA using a technique called X-ray diffraction. In 1953 Watson and Crick developed the double helix model
for the structure of DNA. In 2000 the Human Genome Project (the mapping and sequencing of human DNA), was
basically completed. What does this scenario tell us about how the Human Genome Project was even possible?
a. The knowledge learned by scientists over the years helped scientists to determine the precise structure of
human genes.
b. The knowledge learned by scientists before 1944 was not useful in determining the structure of DNA, since
they did not have appropriate scientific technology.
c. The experiments conducted by earlier scientists were not able to be verified, so they were discounted and
not used.
d. The experiments conducted by scientists on DNA were unrelated and did not contribute to the Human
Genome Project.
32. In 1973 Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer isolated DNA from an African Clawed Toad and inserted it into bacteria.
This helped extend the debate between scientists and the general public about the ethics of genetic engineering.
What is the role of science in this debate?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Genetic engineering is a religious issue and cannot be discussed by science.
Genetic engineering is a field of research which science should not have entered.
Science must continue to conduct research because no one else knows enough.
Science can provide data to inform the debate but by itself cannot resolve the issues.
33. What is the major ecological reason that biodiversity is important in nature?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It increases the population.
It narrows the food web.
It makes ecosystems more stable.
It gives humans more resources.
34. What is crossing two dogs to get a certain hair color an example of?
a.
b.
c.
d.
crossbreeding
natural selection
selective breeding
selective coloration
35. Which word best describes natural selection?
a.
b.
c.
d.
theory
hypothesis
inference
law
36. A single mallard duck has a mutation. Why ISN’T this mutation very likely to lead to evolution in the mallard duck
species?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Mallards are not threatened; species do not change.
Animals adapt easily to most environmental conditions.
Mutations in animals are almost always beneficial.
Populations evolve, individual organisms don’t.
37. Due to antibiotic overuse, bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Why is the government trying to put into
place strict rules about prescribing antibiotics?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Bacteria are helpful to humans and should not be destroyed.
Antibiotics should be used to kill viruses such as those that cause influenza or colds.
Natural selection occurs in bacteria making it necessary for humans to control the use of antibiotics.
Bacteria are of little use to humans since they always cause infections or illnesses to occur.
38. One place to search for new species, including microscopic organisms, fish, birds, and mammals is in the canopy of
tropical forests (the canopy is the upper layer of the forest). Margaret Lowman, a canopy explorer, created a
canopy walkway as her laboratory 75 feet above the forest floor with platforms for researchers to do work. Which
of the following statements best describes this scenario?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Women should not be scientists so Lowman’s procedures are of little value.
Women scientists are as smart and dedicated as male scientists and their ideas should be studied.
A lot of research on microscopic organisms is being conducted in South America.
New species of microscopic organisms are being discovered daily in the rainforests of Africa.
39. Use the following chart to answer the question below.
At which level of classification could you describe differences between Animal II and Animal III?
Animal I
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Felidae
Genus Felis
Species leo
a.
b.
c.
d.
Animal II
Chordata
Mammalia
Carnivora
Felidae
Felis
domesticus
Animal III
Chordata
Mammalia
Carnivora
Canidae
Canis
familiaris
Animal IV
Chordata
Mammalia
Primates
Hominidae
Homo
sapiens
Animal V
Chordata
Amphibia
Salietia
Ranidae
Rana
clamitans
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
40. What do scientists do when a new type of organism does NOT fit into the current classification system?
a. Nothing, there are many organisms that do not fit into the current classification system?
b. Nothing, they wait until they find at least 2 more new species and then make a new classification system to
fit these new organisms.
c. Scientists will create a new classification system and discard the old, outdated classification system.
d. Scientists will modify current classification systems to make a place for the new organism.
41. The forest is calm and serene until a lumberjack presses his chain saw into the bark of a 200-year-old Douglas fir.
The searing steel saw rips through the bark and past the thin cells of living tissue. In less than two minutes the noble
giant succumbs and crashes to the earth. Life is extinguished as tree after tree is severed from the earth. Acre after
acre is destroyed with wanton abandon. As the carnage grows, habitat for vulnerable species is lost forever.
Without the writer’s bias, what is the message of the article? Continual logging will cause…
a.
b.
c.
d.
the loss of habitat for many species
the creation of new habitats for new species
the destruction of all habitats
the destruction of all organisms in the forest