Biology Regents Review

Sexually reproduced offspring have traits similar to their parents because they receive

• all of the proteins from each parent

• some of the proteins from both parents

• all of the genes present in both parents

• some of the genes present in each parent

Answer explanation

Traits are characteristics belonging to each person (such as eye and hair color). These traits are expressed in ones genes, which are encoded in ones DNA. Sexual reproduction involves the merging of gametes (sex cells), causing the offspring not looking exactly like their parents, but a combination of the two.

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A response of a normally functioning immune system that can be harmful is

• being infected by the flu virus

• rejecting an organ transplant

• recognizing chemical signals

• fighting off a bacterial infection

Answer explanation

Generally, any outside substance that the body deems "harmful" will be fought by the body to protect the organism. This is why we have responses such as sneezing, a fever, and runny nose wen dealing with the common cold or the flu. HOWEVER, the question is discussing how this can negatively impact you. When receiving an organ (such as a kidney or liver) transplant, the body thinks that this organ is invading the body, thus it forces your immune system to attack it.

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Hammerhead sharks are unlike most other shark species. Nearly all shark species either lay eggs or give birth to live young after their eggs hatch internally. Hammerhead sharks form a placenta, a structure more commonly found in mammals, such as humans. One role of the placenta in the development of offspring is normally to

• produce blood cells

• provide milk

• produce gametes

• transfer nutrients

Answer explanation

The placenta is an organ in the uterus of females that is the main force of providing the fetus with the necessary nutrients to survive. It does not produce any blood cells for the offspring. Milk is not transferred through the placenta, its only given to the offspring after birth. Gametes does not have anything to do with the placenta, but are already utilized to create the zygote (which will eventually become the fetus).

These strands are responsible for coding different proteins and are known as

• chromosomes

• mitochondria

• ribosomes

• chloroplasts

Answer explanation

Chromosomes include genes, which incorporate the genetic code of DNA. The order of the nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G) in DNA becomes transcribed into RNA, which then become translated into amino acids. Ribosomes are close (as they are apart of the translation process), but they don't have anything to do with chromosomes as they don't go into the nucleus (where the chromosomes are located). Mitochondria are all about energy through cellular reproduction. Chloroplasts are in plants to undergo photosynthesis.

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Which sequence best represents the correct order of events in the formation of a sexually reproduced individual?

• embryo → zygote → gamete → fetus

• zygote → embryo → fetus → gamete

• gametes → embryo → fetus → zygote

• gametes → zygote → embryo → fetus

Answer explanation

Fertilization begins this whole process, where the gametes (sex cells) produced in the process of meiosis form the zygote. A week later it becomes an embryo, and then at eight weeks, it becomes a fetus.

Which statement about the response of the body to pathogens is correct?

• Red blood cells engulf invaders and produce antibodies that attack invaders.

• Vaccinations may contain weakened microbes that stimulate the formation of antibodies.

• AIDS is a bacterial disease that strengthens the immune system.

• All allergic reactions are caused by an immune response to microorganisms.

Answer explanation

Vaccines provide either dead or weakened versions of the disease in order to have the body create white blood cells to be prepared to fight future infections. White blood cells are the ones that create antibodies, not the red blood cells. AIDS (a predecessor of HIV) is a viral disease, not a bacterial disease, that harms the immune system. Microorganisms don't necessarily cause allergic reactions ether.

When cells such as the skin cells shown reproduce abnormally, it could be a sign of

• an immune response

• dynamic equilibrium

• cancerous cell growth

• a cellular adaptation

Answer explanation

Abnormal and uncontrollable cell division (an overgrowth/large amount of production of cells) is a huge indicator of cancer. Cell growth that is uncontrolled is not a healthy or advantageous act to happen.

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The removal of mitochondria from a typical animal cell would have an immediate effect on the cell’s production of

• DNA

• oxygen

• ATP

• glucose

Answer explanation

The mitochondria (our "powerhouse of the cell") is responsible for creating energy using cellular respiration. The energy molecule is ATP. If the mitochondria is removed from the cell, ATP production would decrease.

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Some organisms have variations. Two sources of these variations are

• mitotic and meiotic cell division

• mutations and recombination

• cloning and sexual reproduction

• natural selection and evolution

Answer explanation

Variation is the key for a species being successful for a long period of time. Mutations (a change in the base sequence) and recombination (the exchange of genetic material between two organisms) can create these differences. Sexual reproduction is another option, but cloning (making an exact copy of an organism) makes this choice incorrect. Meiotic cell division is another good option but mitosis is supposed to create copies of cells, so this is also incorrect. The amount of variations is related to natural selection and evolution as the more variations, the more likely the species will survive; BUT, they are not a source of variation within a species.

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When a plant is in a hot and dry environment, the guard cells may close the stomate openings in the leaves. This action will directly

• maintain homeostasis by reducing the evaporation of water

• harm the plant by cutting off its oxygen supply

• maintain homeostasis by preventing carbon dioxide from entering

• harm the plant by cutting off its energy supply

Answer explanation

The stomate's job in a plant is to keep water within the leaves of the plant. Homeostasis is the act of maintaining equilibrium within an organism/environment. In order to maintain homeostasis within the plant, the stomate close itself in order to avoid the removal of water.

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