ETT Questions 1 through 3 refer to the following paragraph and diagram. Mitosis is a type of cell division in which the two daughter cells that are formed have the same genetic material as the parent cell. Before mitosis starts, each chromosome in the nucleus duplicates itself to produce two sections, called chromatids, which are linked. Those chromatids then split, so that each daughter cell has DNA identical to that of the parent cell and to that of the other daughter cell. The function of the spindle fiber in mitosis is to control the movement of chromatids during mitosis. During the metaphase, for example, the spindle fiber helps to align the chromatids in a line across the middle of the cell so that the chromatids can divide evenly during anaphase. The spindle fibers then direct the movement of the chromatids after they split, ensuring that each daughter cell has a full set of identical chromatids
1. During which stage do the chromosomes line up across the middle of the cell? A. early prophase B. metaphase C. telophase D. interphase
2. Which of the following is true based on the paragraph and diagram?
A. After mitosis, one of the resulting daughter cells is larger than the other one. B. After mitosis, the two daughter cells have their own nuclei. C. The first stage of mitosis is the division of the cell into two separate cells. D. The first stage of mitosis involves the formation of cytoplasm.
3. Suppose that after mitosis, one daughter cell has more chromosomes than the parent cell, while the other daughter cell has fewer. Which of the following best explains this occurrence? A. At least one pair of chromatids failed to split during anaphase. B. The chromatids did not divide evenly in prophase. C. The chromosomes did not duplicate in early prophase. D. The chromosomes duplicated themselves to produce three sections in interphase. 4. Charles Darwin thought that evolution took place gradually, with tiny changes eventually adding up to major change in a species. If this view is right, then there should be fossils, remains of long-dead organisms, that show the intermediate stages of evolution in a species. However, the fossil record often shows no intermediate forms for long periods of time. Instead, fossils of a species appear to suddenly become distinctly different. To account for this, some modern scientists have hypothesized that species evolve during short periods of rapid, major change, separated by long periods of relative stability. Which of the following hypotheses may also explain why evolutionary change sometimes seems to occur rapidly and dramatically? A. Organisms with soft tissues may form fossils. B. Fossils usually form in layers of sedimentary rock. C. The fossil record for any given species may be incomplete. D. Fossils do not provide evidence for evolution.
Questions 5 and 6 refer to the following information and diagram
In most plants, photosynthesis takes place primarily in the palisade cells of leaves
5. Fill in the blank using one word from the diagram.
A(n) __________ is an opening in the lower surface of the leaf through which gases such as carbon dioxide can pass.
6. Chloroplasts are structures found within some of the cells in a leaf. They help in the process of photosynthesis. In the diagram, they are represented by small gray spots on the cells. Which of the following statements is supported by the information in the diagram? A. Palisade cells provide a means of transporting water through a plant. B. Most of a leaf’s chloroplasts are found in its palisade cells. C. The spongy cells are soft, like a sponge. D. The epidermis blocks light from reaching the palisade cells.
Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and water also cycle through ecosystems from the living to the nonliving components and back again. Carbon and oxygen cycle through the biosphere as a result of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Nitrogen cycles between the land, organisms, and the air through chemical processes. Water cycles between the oceans and other surface water, the air, land, and organisms through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration from plants.
7. According to the passage, what is the ultimate source of energy for the food web? A. green plants B. mammals C. soil, air, and water D. the sun
8. Suppose most of the foxes in the woodland ecosystem were hunted and killed. Which of the following is most likely to happen as a result? A. The amount of plant life in the woodland would increase. B. The populations of hares and seed-eating birds would increase. C. The populations of insects and insect-eating birds would decrease. D. The population of snakes would decrease. Questions 9 through 11 refer to the following graph.
9. Provide a numerical response How many of the five causes of death depicted in the graph produced more deaths in 2011 than in 2005? __________
10. Compare the number of deaths from heart disease in 2005 to the number of deaths from heart disease in 2011. That difference represents the of all the causes of death depicted in the graph A. biggest increase B. biggest decrease C. smallest increase
11. Which of the following approximately expresses the percentage change in deaths from heart diseases from 2005 to 2011? You May use your calculator. A. 8% increase B. 8% decrease C. 92% increase D. 92% decrease
12. The graph shows the relationship between the number of cases of children with Down syndrome per 1,000 births and maternal age According to the graph, the incidence of Down syndrome (1) generally, decreases as maternal age increases (2) is about nine times less at age 45 than at age 30 (3) stabilizes at 2 per 1,000 births after age 35 (4) is greater at age 15 than at age 35 (5) is about ten times greater at age 45 than at age 30.
13. Although more than three-quarters of the atmosphere is nitrogen, atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used directly by plants and animals. Instead, certain bacteria and blue-green algae take nitrogen from the air and, through a process called nitrogen fixation, turn it into compounds that plants can use. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in the roots of some plants such as peas and beans. When these plants are present, the nitrate content of the soil is increased. Nitrates are absorbed by plants, which are eaten by consumers. Eventually the nitrogen returns to the soil in excrement and when organisms die. What is the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nitrogen cycle? A. to decompose dead plants and animals B. to add nitrogen to the atmosphere C. to turn atmospheric nitrogen into compounds plants and animals can use D. to take nitrogen from blue-green algae and turn it into compounds plants can use
14. Cell membranes are selectively permeable, allowing some substances to pass through and blocking others. The movement through the cell membrane takes place by means of passive or active transport. In passive transport, materials like water move through the cell’s membrane without using any of the cell’s energy. Active transport is the movement of materials in the cell from areas of low concentration to areas of high concentration. In active transport, the cell uses energy to move substances in and out. For example, transport proteins use energy when they carry molecules into and out of the cell.
What is the main difference between passive transport and active transport? A. Active transport involves the passage of water, and passive transport does not. B. Active transport requires the cell to use energy, and passive transport does not. C. Active transport is used by animal cells, and passive transport is used by plant cells. D. Active transport takes substances out of the cell, and passive transport brings them in.
15. Tooth decay can eat away at the structure of a tooth. Tooth decay begins at the surface, but it must reach the pulp, which contains many nerve endings, before it will cause extreme pain. That suggests that the dentin contain A. few or no nerve endings B. many nerve endings C. more minerals than the enamel
16. The relationship between athlete’s-foot fungus and humans is best classified as (1) parasitism (2) commensalism (3) saprophytism (4) mutualism (5) cannibalism
17. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria enrich the soil by producing nitrates, which are beneficial to green plants. The bacteria live in nodules located on the roots of legumes. These nodules provide a favorable environment for the bacteria to grow and reproduce. The relationship between these bacteria and the leguminous plant is an example of (1) parasitism (2) commensalism (3) saprophytism (4) mutualism (5) cannibalism
18. Many bacteria or fungi decompose dead plants and animals, releasing ammonia into the environment. This relationship would best be described as (1) parasitism (2) commensalism (3) saprophytism (4) mutualism (5) cannibalism
The graphs show data on some environmental factors acting in a large lake
19. Which relationship can be correctly inferred from the data presented? (1) As oxygen content decreases, the carp population decreases. (2) As oxygen content decreases, the trout population increases. (3) Sewage waste and oxygen content are not related. (4) As sewage waste increases, oxygen content increases. (5) As sewage waste increases, oxygen content decreases.
20. The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is the maximum number of organisms it can support. If the carrying capacity is exceeded, there will not be enough resources, and one or more species will decline until a balance of organisms and resources is reached.
Which of the following is an example of people overloading the carrying capacity of an ecosystem? A. using a park for recreation B. grazing too many cattle on grassland C. adding a room to a suburban house D. banning shell fishing in polluted waters
Most of us are familiar with the role of fats and cholesterol in health. Cholesterol is a white, fatty substance made by animals but not plants. Cholesterol is made by the liver and is essential for proper cell function. In general, the amount of cholesterol in a person’s blood is regulated by two types of proteins that transport the cholesterol in the blood. High Density Lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered “good” in that it tends to promote the removal of fatty deposits from blood vessels, thus decreasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Low Density Lipoprotein, or LDL, tends to promote the build-up of fatty deposits within the walls of blood vessels, thus tending to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Fats and oils from animals not only contain cholesterol, but also raise LDL levels. Animal fats also are often saturated, and this too is associated with increased buildup of fatty deposits in blood vessels. Saturated fats from plants (including palm and coconut), while not containing cholesterol, also raise LDL levels. Among the habits that promote HDL level increases are exercise, eating less animal fat, and eating unsaturated or monounsaturated fats and oils such as olive oil or canola oil.
21. Which of the following would likely lower LDL levels in the blood? (1) eating bacon (2) eating foods cooked in coconut oil (3) eating beef (4) eating foods cooked in olive oil (5) eating lots of cheese and eggs
22. What is the risk caused by high blood levels of cholesterol?
(1) failure to exercise (2) obesity (3) heart attacks and strokes (4) lack of sufficient HDL (5) improper balance of the amounts of HDL and LDL 23. A person who had a history of heart disease in her family would most likely be instructed to eat less of which of the following? (1) olive oil (2) canola oil (3) carrots (4) eggs (5) soybeans 24. Which of the following is least likely to be a sound medical reason for eating less saturated fat? (1) Eating large amounts of saturated fats increases the risk of strokes. (2) Eating large amounts of saturated fats increases the risk of heart attacks. (3) Saturated fats are components of deposits that block blood vessels. (4) People who eat large amounts of saturated fat often don’t exercise enough. (5) Saturated fats are associated with high blood cholesterol levels.
25. What role does exercise play in benefiting the walls of blood vessels? (1) It lowers cholesterol. (2) It helps people lose weight. (3) It increases LDL levels. (4) It increases HDL levels. (5) It makes the walls of the blood vessels stronger and less likely to burst
