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Living Environment - New York Regents August 2019 Exam

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1.
Part A
Answer all questions in this part. [30]
Directions (1 - 30): For each statement or question, record on the separate answer sheet the number of the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question.
1 The diagram below represents an energy
  pyramid.
In this pyramid, the greatest amount of stored
energy is found at level
(1) A                    (3) C
(2) B                    (4) D
Answer:

2.
2 A certain species of plant serves as the only food
  for the young larvae of a particular species of
  butterfly. In a large field, a disease kills all the
  members of this plant species. As a result of the
  plant disease, the butterfly population will most
  likely
  (1) quickly adapt to eat other plants
  (2) disappear from the area
  (3) evolve to form a new species
  (4) enter the adult stage more quickly
Answer:

3.
3 When handling cat litter, humans can potentially
  be exposed to a harmful single-celled protozoan.
  Its primary host is the common domestic cat, but
  it can also live in humans. This protozoan is an
  example of a
  (1) predator               (3) parasite
  (2) producer               (4) scavenger
Answer:


4.
4 Certain seaweeds contain a greater concentration
  of iodine inside their cells than there is in the
  seawater surrounding them. The energy required
  to maintain this concentration difference is most
  closely associated with the action of
  (1) ribosomes              (3) vacuoles
  (2) mitochondria           (4) nuclei
Answer:

5.
5 Doctors sometimes use a vaccine to prepare the
  body to defend itself against future infections.
  These vaccines most often contain
  (1) antibodies
  (2) antibiotics
  (3) white blood cells
  (4) weakened pathogens
Answer:

6.
6 Building large manufacturing facilities can affect
  ecosystems by increasing the
  (1) atmospheric quality
  (2) biodiversity in the area
  (3) demand for resources such as fossil fuels
  (4) availability of space and resources for
      organisms
Answer:

7.
7 An ameba is a single-celled organism. It uses
  its cell membrane to obtain food from its
  environment, digests the food with the help
  of organelles called lysosomes, and uses other
  organelles to process the digested food. From
  this, we can best infer that
  (1) all single-celled organisms have lysosomes to
      digest food
  (2) amebas are capable of digesting any type of
      food molecule
  (3) single-celled organisms are as complex as
      multicellular organisms
  (4) structures in amebas have functions similar
      to organs in multicellular organisms
Answer:

8.
8 White blood cells are most closely associated
  with which two body systems?
  (1) circulatory and digestive
  (2) immune and circulatory
  (3) digestive and excretory
  (4) excretory and immune
Answer:

9.
9 Carnivorous plants, such as pitcher plants and
  sundews, live in bogs where many other organisms
  cannot. Due to the high rate of decomposition
  occurring in bogs, the environment is acidic and
  contains very little oxygen and nutrients. The
  bogs only support certain types of organisms
  because
  (1) organisms in an environment are not limited
      by available energy and resources
  (2) the growth and survival of organisms depends
      upon specific physical conditions
  (3) favorable gene mutations only occur when
      organisms live in harsh environments
  (4) photosynthetic organisms can only inhabit
      environments that have a low acidity
Answer:

10.
10 Anhidrosis is the inability to sweat normally.
   If the human body cannot sweat properly, it
   cannot cool itself, which is potentially harmful.
   Anhidrosis most directly interferes with
   (1) a feedback mechanism that maintains
       homeostasis
   (2) an immune system response to harmless
       antigens
   (3) the synthesis of hormones in the circulatory
       system
   (4) the enzymatic breakdown of water in cells
Answer:

11.
11 The hair colors of the members of a family are
   listed below.
             mother  -  brown hair
             father  -  blond hair
             older son  -  brown hair
             younger son  -  blond hair
   The hair colors of the sons are most likely a direct
   result of
   (1) natural selection in males
   (2) heredity
   (3) evolution
   (4) environmental influences
Answer:

12.
12 A sample of DNA from a human skin cell
   contains 32% cytosine (C) bases. Approximately
   what percentage of the bases in this sample will
   be thymine (T)?
   (1) 18                  (3) 32
   (2) 24                  (4) 36
Answer:

13.
13 Carmine, a compound that comes from the
   cochineal beetle, shown below, is used as a food
   coloring.
The food coloring is not harmful to most people,
but in a small number of individuals, it causes a
reaction and affects their ability to breathe. This
response to carmine is known as
(1) a stimulus             (3) natural selection
(2) an allergy             (4) an adaptation
Answer:

14.
14 As a way to reduce the number of cases of
   malaria, a human tropical disease, a specific
   DNA sequence is inserted into the reproductive
   cells of Anopheles mosquitoes. Which process
   was most likely used to alter these mosquitoes?
   (1) cloning studies
   (2) genetic engineering
   (3) natural selection
   (4) random mutations
Answer:

15.
15 Which row in the chart below accurately identifies two causes of mutations and the cells that must be
   affected in order for the mutations to be passed on to offspring?

Answer:


16.
16 Many tiny plants can be seen developing asexually along the edge of the mother-of-thousands plant leaf, as
   shown in the photo below. The tiny plants eventually drop to the ground and grow into new plants of the
   same species.
One way this form of reproduction differs from sexual reproduction is
(1) more genetic variations are seen in the offspring
(2) there is a greater chance for mutations to occur
(3) the offspring and the parents are genetically identical
(4) the new plants possess the combined genes of both parents
Answer:

17.
17 A food web is represented in the diagram below.
If the fish population decreases, what is the most direct effect this will have on the aquatic ecosystem?
(1) The leopard seals will all die from lack of food.
(2) The krill population will only be consumed by seagulls.
(3) The zooplankton population will increase in size.
(4) The phytoplankton population will increase in size.
Answer:

18.
18 The chart below shows a sequence of events that was observed at an abandoned ski center over a period of
   years.
This sequence of changes is the result of
(1) ecological succession                   (3) biological evolution
(2) decreased biodiversity                  (4) environmental trade-offs
Answer:

19.
19 Some salmon have been genetically modified to
   grow bigger and mature faster than wild salmon.
   They are kept in fish-farming facilities. Which
   statement regarding genetically modified salmon
   is correct?
   (1) Genetically modified salmon produce more
       of some proteins than wild salmon.
   (2) Genetically modified salmon and wild salmon
       would have identical DNA.
   (3) Wild salmon reproduce asexually while
       genetically modified salmon reproduce
       sexually.
   (4) Wild salmon have an altered protein
       sequence, but genetically modified salmon
       do not.
Answer:

20.
20 Which group of organisms in an ecosystem fills
   the niche of recycling organic matter back to the
   environment?
   (1) carnivores            (3) producers
   (2) decomposers           (4) predators
Answer:

21.
21 The use of solar panels has increased in the last
   ten years. A benefit of using solar energy would
   include
   (1) adding more carbon dioxide to the
       atmosphere
   (2) using less fossil fuel to meet energy needs
   (3) using a nonrenewable source of energy
   (4) releasing more gases for photosynthesis
Answer:

22.
22 In a sewage treatment facility, an optimal
   environment is maintained for the survival of
   naturally occurring species of microorganisms.
   These organisms can then break the sewage
   down into relatively harmless wastewater. For
   these microorganisms, the wastewater facility
   serves as
   (1) its carrying capacity (3) an ecosystem
   (2) a food chain          (4) an energy pyramid
Answer:

23.
23 The diagram below represents a process taking
   place in a cell.
The type of organic molecule that is being
synthesized is
(1) DNA              (3) protein
(2) starch           (4) fat
Answer:

24.
24 The governments of many countries have
   regulations that are designed to prevent the
   accidental introduction of nonnative insects into
   their countries. This is because, in these new
   habitats, the nonnative insects might
   (1) become food for birds
   (2) not survive a cold winter
   (3) not have natural predators
   (4) add to the biodiversity
Answer:

25.
25 The process of transferring energy during
   respiration occurs in a series of steps. This
   prevents too much heat from being released at one
   time. Maintaining an appropriate temperature is
   beneficial to an organism because
   (1) enzymes need a proper range of temperatures
       to catalyze vital reactions
   (2) cellular waste products can only be excreted
       in cooler temperatures
   (3) hormones can only produce antibodies if
       temperatures are not excessive
   (4) nutrients diffuse faster into cells when
       temperatures are lower
Answer:

26.
26 The diagram below represents some structures
   in the human female reproductive system.
The processes of meiosis and fertilization are
essential in human reproduction. Which row in
the chart correctly identifies where in the female
reproductive system these two processes occur?

Answer:

27.
27 Fruits and vegetables exposed to air begin to
   brown because of a chemical reaction in their
   cells. This may result in these foods being thrown
   out. Some people have found that adding lemon
   juice (citric acid) to apple slices keeps them from
   turning brown. The prevention of browning is
   likely the result of
   (1) increasing the concentration of enzymes
   (2) increasing the temperature
   (3) slowing the rate of enzyme action
   (4) maintaining the pH
Answer:

28.
28 Scientists monitoring frog populations have
   noticed that the ratio of male frogs to female
   frogs varies when certain chemicals are present in
   the environment. The influence of estrogen, for
   example, has a noticeable effect. In the presence
   of a higher amount of estrogen, it would be most
   likely that
   (1) fewer males would be found because they are
       much larger and fewer are produced
   (2) fewer females would be found because they
       are more sensitive to pesticides
   (3) more males would be found because
       estrogen promotes the development of male
       characteristics
   (4) more females would be found because
       estrogen promotes the development of
       female characteristics
Answer:

29.
29 Which action could humans take to slow the rate
   of global warming?
   (1) Cut down trees for more efficient land use.
   (2) Increase the consumption of petroleum
       products.
   (3) Use alternate sources of energy such as wind.
   (4) Reduce the use of fuel-efficient automobiles.
Answer:

30.
30 The role of antibodies in the human body is to
   (1) stimulate pathogen reproduction to produce
       additional white blood cells
   (2) increase the production of guard cells to
       defend against pathogens
   (3) promote the production of antigens to
       stimulate an immune response
   (4) recognize foreign antigens and mark them
       for destruction
Answer:


31.
Part B - 1
Answer all questions in this part. [13]
Directions (31 - 43): For each statement or question, record on the separate answer sheet the number of the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question.
   Base your answers to questions 31 and 32 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
                                               Fossil Footprints
             Scientists examined a trail of fossil footprints left by early humans in soft, volcanic ash
         in Eastern Africa. A drawing of the trail of footprints is shown below. Each footprint is
         represented as a series of lines indicating the depth that different parts of the foot sank into
         the volcanic ash.
31 Which statement is an accurate observation that can be made based on this trail of footprints?
   (1) The individuals were running from a predator.
   (2) The volcano was about to erupt again.
   (3) One individual was much taller than the other.
   (4) One individual had larger feet than the other.
Answer:

32.
32 The type of information directly provided by these fossil footprints is useful because it
   (1) offers details about how these individuals changed during their lifetime
   (2) offers data regarding their exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
   (3) is a record of information about what these individuals ate during their lifetime
   (4) is a record of some similarities and differences they share with present-day species
Answer:

33.
33 Since the early 1990s, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been widely used to treat acid reflux disease.
   Although clinical tests in the 1980s deemed PPIs to be safe for humans, in 2012 the FDA announced
   warnings that long-term use of PPIs could increase the risk of bone fractures, kidney disease, and some
   intestinal infections.
   Which statement best explains why the safety of PPIs is now in question when clinical experiments in the
   1980s provided evidence that they were safe?
   (1) Researchers have been able to collect more data than were available in the 1980s.
   (2) Fewer people had acid reflux in the 1980s compared to today.
   (3) The medication containing PPIs has changed since the 1980s when tests were done.
   (4) The original experiments in the 1980s used only test animals and did not use human subjects.
Answer:

34.
34 The process of embryonic development is represented in the diagram below.
The three arrows in the diagram each represent a process known as
(1) mitotic cell division
(2) meiotic cell division
(3) fertilization of gamete cells
(4) differentiation of tissues
Answer:

35.
35 A cell with receptors for two different hormones is represented below.
Which chemical would most likely interfere with the activity of hormone A, but not hormone B?

Answer:

36.
   Base your answers to questions 36 through 39 on the information and photograph below and on your
knowledge of biology.
                          Scientists Investigate Sex Determination in Alligators
             The sex of some reptiles, including the American alligator, is determined by the
         temperature at which the eggs are incubated. For example, incubating them at 33°C
         produces mostly males, while incubation at 30°C produces mostly females.
             Scientists recently discovered a thermosensor protein, TRPV4, that is associated with this
         process in American alligators. TRPV4 is activated by temperatures near the mid-30s, and
         increases the movement of calcium ions into certain cells involved with sex determination.
36 The results of this scientific investigation will most likely lead other scientists to hypothesize that
   (1) human sex cells also contain the TRPV4 protein
   (2) other reptiles may have the TRPV4 protein in their eggs
   (3) the TRPV4 protein affects the growth of plants
   (4) the TRPV4 protein is present in all of the foods eaten by alligators
Answer:

37.
37 Which information was most essential in preparing to carry out this scientific investigation?
   (1) a knowledge of the variety of mutations found in American alligator populations
   (2) the arrangement of the DNA bases found in the TRPV4 protein
   (3) the effects of temperature on the incubation of alligator eggs
   (4) a knowledge of previous cloning experiments conducted on alligators and other reptiles
Answer:

38.
38 The movement of the calcium ions into certain cells is most likely due to
   (1) the destruction of the TRPV4 when it contacts the cell membrane
   (2) the action of TRPV4 proteins on the cells involved with sex determination
   (3) the sex of the alligator embryo present in that particular egg
   (4) the action of receptor proteins attached to the mitochondria in alligator sex cells
Answer:

39.
39 Environmental changes, such as global warming, could affect species such as the American alligator because
   even slight increases in environmental temperature could
   (1) lead to an overabundance of females and few, if any, males
   (2) lead to an overabundance of males and few, if any, females
   (3) cause the breakdown of the TRPV4 protein in female alligators
   (4) increase the rate at which calcium ions exit the sex cells
Answer:

40.
40 Which human activity can have a negative impact on the stability of a mature ecosystem?
   (1) replanting trees in areas where forests have been cut down for lumber
   (2) building dams to control the flow of water in rivers, in order to produce electricity
   (3) preserving natural wetlands, such as swamps, to reduce flooding after heavy rainfalls
   (4) passing laws that limit the dumping of pollutants in forests
Answer:

41.
   Base your answer to question 41 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. The diagram
represents a pond ecosystem.
41 Energy in this ecosystem passes directly from the Sun to
   (1) herbivores                                     (3) heterotrophs
   (2) consumers                                      (4) autotrophs
Answer:

42.
    Base your answers to questions 42 and 43 on the information and photograph below and on your knowledge
of biology.
             Wild horses called mustangs roam acres of federally owned land in the western United
         States. These horses have overgrazed the local vegetation to the extent that plants and soils
         are being lost entirely.
             When the number of mustangs that roam the land exceeds the number of horses that
         the land can sustain, the government organizes helicopter-driven roundups. The horses are
         guided into a roped-off area and then are sold to the public or brought to pastures in the
         Midwest. About one percent of the horses captured die from injuries or accidents that occur
         during roundups.
42 The risk to the horses during the roundups compared to the entire loss of plants and soils is considered
   (1) selective breeding                           (3) direct harvesting
   (2) a technological fix                           (4) a trade-off
Answer:

43.
43 The number of organisms that an area of land can sustain over a long period of time is known as
   (1) ecological succession                         (3) its carrying capacity
   (2) its finite resources                           (4) evolutionary change
Answer:


44.
                                                   Part B  - 2
                                  Answer all questions in this part.      [12]
    Directions (44 - 55): For those questions that are multiple choice, record on the separate answer sheet
the number of the choice that, of those given, best completes each statement or answers each question. For all
other questions in this part, follow the directions given and record your answers in the spaces provided in this
examination booklet.
    Base your answers to questions 44 through 48 on the information and data table below and on your knowledge
of biology.
                                     White Nose Syndrome Found in Bats
              White nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease found in bats. The disease, first detected in
          bats during the winter of 2006, is characterized by the appearance of a white fungus on the
          nose, skin, and wings of some bats, which live in and around caves and mines. It affects the
          cycle of hibernation and is responsible for the deaths of large numbers of bats of certain
          species. In some areas, 80-90% of bats have died. Not all bats in an area are affected, and
          certain bats that are susceptible in one area are not affected in other areas.
              The roles of temperature and humidity in the environment of the bats are two of the
          many factors being investigated to help control the disease. Over the past few years, the
          Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey conducted summer bat counts of two bat
          species at 22 different sites, totaled the number, and reported the results. The approximate
          numbers of bats counted (to the nearest hundred) are listed in the table below.
   Directions (44 - 46): Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid on the next
page, following the directions below.
 44 Mark an appropriate scale, without any breaks in the data, on the axis labeled “Number of Bats.” [1]
Answer:

45.
45 Plot the data for big brown bats on the grid, connect the points, and surround each point with a small circle.
   [1]
   Example:
Answer:

46.
46 Plot the data for little brown bats on the grid, connect the points, and surround each point with a small
   triangle. [1]
   Example:
Answer:

47.
   Note: The answer to question 47 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
47 Biologists in New York and Vermont have noted that, in recent years, a higher percentage of the little brown
   bats are now surviving. Which statement best explains this increased survival rate?
   (1) A few of the bats possessed an immunity to the WNS disease and produced offspring that were immune.
   (2) The bats needed to reproduce in greater numbers, otherwise they would have died out completely.
   (3) The people that performed the recent counts did not identify the bats correctly and were counting bats
       of a different species.
   (4) The original decline in the bat population due to WNS was a natural occurrence and is part of a natural
       cycle.
Answer:

48.
48 Conservation groups have promoted the building and placing of bat houses in areas thought to be most
   suitable for bat populations. Explain why this might have a positive effect on the control of WNS in bats. [1]
Answer:

49.
   Note: The answer to question 49 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
49 In the coastal waters off western North America, there is a starfish species that feeds primarily on mussels,
   another marine organism. In an experimental area, the starfish were removed from the waters. The effect of
   this removal is shown in the graph below.
What conclusion can be made regarding the role of the starfish in this ecosystem?
(1) The biodiversity of this ecosystem increased within ten years as organisms adjusted to the loss of the
    starfish.
(2) The starfish is important in maintaining the biodiversity of this ecosystem.
(3) When the starfish were removed, the ecosystem decreased in stability and increased in biodiversity.
(4) Biodiversity in this ecosystem is not dependent on the presence of starfish.
Answer:

50.
  Base your answers to questions 50 through 52 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
                                              Biomass Energy
            Biomass is the term for all living, or recently living, materials coming from plants and
        animals that can be used as a source of energy. Biomass can be burned to produce heat and
        used to make electricity. The most common materials used for biomass energy are wood,
        plants, decaying materials, and wastes, including garbage and food waste. Burning the wood
        and plant matter does produce some air pollutants. Biomass contains energy that originally
        came from the Sun. Some biomass can be converted into liquid biofuels. These biofuels can
        be used to power cars and machinery.
   Note: The answer to question 50 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
50 In a community, before biomass is widely used as an energy source, several experts, including an ecologist,
   are hired to provide specific information. The ecologist would most likely be asked about
   (1) the cost of producing the fuel compared with the profit when the fuel is sold
   (2) whether the fuel will be widely accepted by consumers
   (3) what effect the production of the fuel will have on the environment
   (4) the time it will take to produce large amounts of the fuel
Answer:

51.
51 Explain why biomass is considered a renewable energy source. [1]
Answer:

52.
52 State one specific advantage and one specific disadvantage of the use of biofuels as an energy source. [1]
   Advantage:
   Disadvantage:
Answer:

53.
  Base your answers to questions 53 and 54 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
            Photosynthesis is a process that is important to the survival of many organisms on Earth.
53 Identify two raw materials necessary for photosynthesis. [1]
                                                    and  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
Answer:

54.
54 State one reason why photosynthesis is necessary for animals to survive. [1]
Answer:

55.
55 The diagram below represents a pond ecosystem.
Identify one abiotic factor present in the pond ecosystem and explain how this abiotic factor would affect the
frogs in the pond. [1]
Abiotic factor:
Answer:


56.
Part C
Answer all questions in this part. [17]
Directions (56 - 72): Record your answers in the spaces provided in this examination booklet.
  Base your answers to questions 56 through 58 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
                                             Bye  -  Bye Bananas?
            The world’s most popular type of banana is facing a major health crisis. According to
        a new study, a disease caused by a powerful fungus is killing the Cavendish banana, which
        accounts for 99% of the banana market around the globe. The disease, called tropical race 4
        (TR4), has affected banana crops in southeast Asia for decades. In recent years, it has spread
        to the Middle East and the African nation of Mozambique. Now experts fear the disease will
        show up in Latin America, where the majority of the world’s bananas are grown. …
            …Once a banana plant is infected with TR4, it cannot get nourishment from water and
        nutrients, and basically dies of thirst. TR4 lives in soil, and can easily end up on a person’s
        boots. If the contaminated boots are then worn on a field where Cavendish bananas are
        grown, the disease could be transferred. “Once a field has been contaminated with the
        disease, you can’t grow Cavendish bananas there anymore,” Randy Ploetz [scientist] says.
        “The disease lasts a long time in the soil.”…
            …But Cavendish [banana] is also particularly vulnerable to TR4. The banana is grown
        in what is called monoculture. “You see a big field of bananas and each one is genetically
        identical to its neighbor” Ploetz says. “And they are all uniformly susceptible to this disease.
        So once one plant gets infected, it just runs like wildfire throughout that entire plantation.”…
                                           Source: http://www.timeforkids.come/new/bye-bye-bananas/3311666
56 State how the TR4 fungus threatens homeostasis within the banana plant. [1]
Answer:

57.
57 Explain why the entire Cavendish banana crop worldwide is particularly vulnerable to the TR4 fungus. [1]
Answer:

58.
58 If the fungus cannot be stopped by chemical treatment of the soil, describe one other possible way that the
   growers may be able to combat the disease. [1]
Answer:

59.
  Base your answers to questions 59 through 61 on the passage below and on your knowledge of biology.
                                              Lead Poisoning
            Two pathways by which lead can enter the human body are ingestion and inhalation.
        Once in the bloodstream, lead is distributed to parts of the body including the brain, bones,
        and teeth.
            One reason that lead is toxic is that it interferes with the functioning of a variety of
        enzymes. It acts like metals such as calcium and iron and replaces them, changing the
        molecular structure of these enzymes. In the case of calcium, lead is absorbed through the
        same cell membrane channels that take in calcium.
            Lead affects children and adults in different ways. Even low lead levels in children can
        cause many different problems, including nervous system damage, learning disabilities,
        decreased intelligence, poor bone growth, and death. In adults, high levels of lead can
        cause hearing problems, memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain, brain
        damage, and death. It wasn’t until 1971 that steps were taken against the use of lead with
        the passage of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. However, lead is still a public health risk
        today.
59 It is recommended that children eat foods high in calcium and iron as a way to reduce the accumulation of
   lead in their cells and enzymes. Explain why this is a scientifically valid recommendation. [1]
Answer:

60.
60 Describe how the presence of lead in body cells could interfere with the ability of enzymes to function. [1]
Answer:

61.
61 Based on the parts of the body that are most affected by lead intake, identify one type of cell that would be
   expected to have numerous calcium channels. Support your answer. [1]
   Type of cell:
   Support:
Answer:

62.
    Base your answers to questions 62 and 63 on the illustration and passage below and on your knowledge of
biology.
            A few breeds of cat have no tails. Manx cats have extremely short tails and may even
        appear to have no tail at all. Manx cats were first discovered several hundred years ago.
            Scientists have determined that a certain mutation in a group of genes (called T-box
        genes) interferes with the development of the spine in the cat embryo. Mutations in these
        T-box genes can cause abnormalities in the number, shape, and/or size of bones in the spines
        of Manx cats, which results in smaller spines and shorter tails.
            If a Manx cat inherits one copy of the mutated T-box gene and one copy of the normal
        gene, it will have a very short tail or no tail at all.
            If the cat embryo inherits two copies of these mutated genes, it will stop developing and
        die. Therefore, all surviving Manx cats have only one copy of the mutated gene.
62 State one reason why the mutation in Manx cat embryos causes them to have such very short tails. [1]
Answer:

63.
63 Two Manx cats have several litters of offspring. Explain how the genes that the kittens inherit determine
   whether they will have a normal tail or a short tail. [1]
Answer:

64.
Base your answer to question 64 - 66 on the passage below and on your knowledge of biology.
    Most humans enjoy candy, cake, and ice cream. As a result of evolutionary history, we
have a wide variety of tastes. This is not true of all animals. Cats do not seek sweets. Over
the course of their evolutionary history, the cat family tree lost a gene to detect sweet flavors.
Most birds also lack this gene, with a few exceptions. Hummingbirds are sugar junkies.
    Hummingbirds evolved from an insect-eating ancestor. The genes that detect the savory
flavor of insects underwent changes, making hummingbirds more sensitive to sugars. These
new sweet-sensing genes give hummingbirds a preference for high-calorie flower nectar.
Hummingbirds actually reject certain flowers whose nectar is not sweet enough!
64 - 66 Discuss how sweet sensitivity in hummingbirds has developed. In your answer, be sure to:
       • identify the initial event responsible for the new sweet-sensing gene [1]
Answer:

65.
• explain how the presence of the sweet-sensing gene increased in the hummingbird population over
  time [1]
Answer:

66.
• describe how the fossil record of hummingbird ancestors might be used to learn more about the
  evolution of food preferences in hummingbirds [1]
Answer:

67.
  Base your answers to questions 67 through 70 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
             Folic acid is a type of vitamin that is essential for the normal growth and development of
         cells in the body. If a woman consumes folic acid in her diet before and during the earliest
         stages of pregnancy, it can help to reduce her baby’s risk for developing a type of birth defect
         called a neural tube defect. Early in pregnancy, the neural tube forms the brain and spinal
         cord. If the neural tube does not form properly, serious birth defects may result.
67 Explain why taking folic acid early in pregnancy is important to the prevention of neural tube defects. [1]
Answer:

68.
68 Describe how a fetus receives folic acid and other essential materials directly from its mother for its
   development. [1]
Answer:

69.
69 Identify one factor, other than a lack of folic acid, that may interfere with the proper development of essential
   organs during pregnancy. [1]
Answer:

70.
70 Many foods, such as breads, cereals, pastas, and rice, are fortified or enriched with folic acid. Explain why
   adding folic acid to foods is an advantage to people other than pregnant women. [1]
Answer:

71.
    Base your answers to questions 71 and 72 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. The
diagram represents an evolutionary tree.
71 Are species A and B more closely related than A and D? Circle yes or no and support your answer with
   information from the diagram. [1]
   Circle one:      Yes           or            No
Answer:

72.
72 State one possible cause for the extinction of species E. [1]
Answer:


73.
Part D
Answer all questions in this part. [13]
Directions (73 - 85): For those questions that are multiple choice, record on the separate answer sheet the number of the choice that, of those given, best completes each statement or answers each question. For all other questions in this part, follow the directions given and record your answers in the spaces provided in this examination booklet.
    Note: The answer to question 73 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
   Base your answer to question 73 on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge of biology.
              During the Relationships and Biodiversity lab, simulated pigments from three plant
          species were compared to those in Botana curus. The results were similar to those represented
          below.
73 Based on the results of this comparison alone, is there enough information to conclude which of the other
   three species is most closely related to Botana curus?
   (1) Yes. Only species X has the same bands as Botana curus.
   (2) Yes. Species Z has only two of the bands that Botana curus has.
   (3) No. Additional tests should be done to test for other chemical similarities.
   (4) No. Other rainforest plant species should be tested.
Answer:

74.
Note: The answer to question 74 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
Base your answer to question 74 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology.
74 Insects can get diseases just like other organisms. A deadly bacteria infected the insects on one Galapagos
   Island. Among the birds living there, the finches most likely to experience a drastic decrease in population
   size would be the
   (1) warbler finches                                  (3) large ground finches
   (2) cactus finches                                   (4) medium ground finches
Answer:

75.
   Note: The answer to question 75 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
75 A variety of species of Galapagos finches evolved from one original species long ago through the process of
   (1) asexual reproduction                           (3) natural selection
   (2) ecological succession                          (4) selective breeding
Answer:

76.
   Note: The answer to question 76 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
76 If scientists want to determine the similarities in the DNA fragments in several plant species, they should
   (1) add salt water to cells from each plant           (3) compare seed structures of the plants
   (2) analyze electrophoresis results                   (4) examine their chromosomes with a microscope
Answer:

77.
77 One coach of an Olympic rowing team makes his athletes warm up by doing 30 minutes of stretching and
   jogging in place before practicing each day. Another coach suggests that resting before practicing will result
   in better performance by her team. They decide to conduct an experiment to see which practice is correct.
   One team rests before practice, the other team warms up for thirty minutes, and they then record the time
   that it takes each team to row a specific distance. Identify the dependent variable in this experiment. [1]
Answer:

78.
78 A student squeezes a clothespin 82 times in a minute. Then, using the same hand and the same clothespin,
   he squeezes the clothespin 68 times in a minute. State one biological reason for the decrease in the number
   of squeezes during the second trial. [1]
Answer:

79.
79 During rest, an adult’s heart rate averages 60-100 beats per minute. When exercising, an adult’s heart rate
   may increase to 100-170 beats per minute. State one reason why the heart rate increased during exercise.
   [1]
Answer:

80.
80 In some single-celled protozoans living in fresh water, such as the paramecium, contractile vacuoles are
   organelles used to pump excess water out of the cell. Explain why a paramecium would require contractile
   vacuoles while a similar protozoan living in salt water would not. [1]
Answer:

81.
    Base your answers to questions 81 through 83 on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge
of biology.
               A cube cut from a potato is placed in a beaker of distilled water. The potato cells have
           a relatively high concentration of starch and a relatively low concentration of water. The
           diagram represents the water and starch molecules in and around one of the potato cells in
           contact with the water in the beaker.
   Note: The answer to question 81 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
81 Which row in the chart correctly describes what would be expected to occur in the potato cells, with regard
   to both the starch and water molecules?

Answer:

82.
   Note: The answer to question 82 should be recorded on your separate answer sheet.
82 Which statement correctly describes a possible result if starch indicator is added to the water in the beaker
   one hour after the potato cube was added?
   (1) The indicator solution would turn to an amber color in the water if starch molecules were present in the
       water in the beaker.
   (2) The indicator would remain amber in color if starch molecules were not present in the water in the
       beaker.
   (3) The indicator would change to a black color if starch molecules were not present in the water in the
       beaker.
   (4) The indicator solution would remain black in color if starch molecules were present in the water in the
       beaker.
Answer:

83.
83 Before placing the potato in the beaker, the student used an electronic balance to determine the mass of the
   potato cube. The mass of the cube was determined again after it was in the beaker for an hour. Describe how
   this information could specifically be used to determine if water moved during the investigation. [1]
Answer:

84.
84 Select one row in the chart below and explain how the systems in that row work together during exercise.
   [1]

Answer:

85.
Base your answer to question 85 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
          In an experiment, a membrane bag containing 95% water and 5% salt was placed in a
      beaker containing 80% water and 20% salt, as shown below. The setup was put aside until
      the next day.
85 Based on the information given, state one way the bag or its contents will have changed by the next day.
   Support your answer with an explanation. [1]
Answer:

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