GMA Practice Milestone

What can be inferred from the phylogenetic tree shown?

• They are all equally related to one another
• Eukaryote and Archaea are more closely related to each other than to Bacteria
• Archaea and Bacteria are more closely related to each other than to Eukaryote.
• Eukaryote and Bacteria are more closely related to each other than to Archaea.

Consider the model of translation. Which statement could you use to best explain the purpose of translation to your lab partner?

• In translation, tRNA carries the genetic code copied from DNA to the ribosome where mRNA is used to place amino acids in the correct sequence to form a protein.
• In translation, DNA carries the genetic code to the ribosome where it is read and mRNA is used to place amino acids in the correct sequence to form a protein.
• In translation, mRNA carries the genetic code copied from DNA to the ribosome where it is read and tRNA is used to place amino acids in the correct sequence to form a protein.
• In translation, mRNA carries the genetic code copied from DNA to the nucleus where it is read and tRNA is used to place amino acids in the correct sequence to form a protein.

As scientists have developed more productive crop varieties, farmers have switched from growing many traditional varieties to new high-yield varieties. For example, in Peru, the Indians once grew 500 native varieties of potatoes. That number has been reduced to about twenty major potato varieties, worldwide.Why is it potentially dangerous to reduce the number of crop species in potatoes?

• It reduces the variety of crops available for human diets.
• It requires a larger investment than small farmers can make.
• It makes the overall crop more susceptible to pests or disease.
• It could reduce or cause the extinction of some predatory insects.

A female cat has two recessive genes for long fur (ss) and a male cat has two dominant genes for short fur (SS). What is the likelihood the two cats produce a kitten with short fur?

• 25%
• 50%
• 75%
• 100%

In piranha, fish with large teeth represent the dominant trait. Because the dominant trait masks the recessive trait, in a population of 1,000 piranhas, all with large teeth, we could expect about ________of the next generation of fish to have small teeth.

• 0%
• 25%
• 50%
• 100%

The process of cellular respiration

• occurs only in animals
• breaks down food molecules to release stored energy
• must occur before plants are able to carry out photosynthesis
• is performed only by organisms that are incapable of photosynthesis

A marsupial mole has claws for burrowing, a keen sense of smell, and reduced vision in its eyes. The placental mole, a mammal on a different branch of the mammalian evolutionary tree, has claws for burrowing, a keen sense of smell, and reduced vision in its eyes. Which statement(s) describe the relationship between these two moles? Select ALL that apply.

• Convergent evolution occurred in these two mammalian species.
• These two species evolved under similar environmental pressures.
• These two species do not have a common ancestor, but evolved from separate lineages.
• Identical mutations occurred within the two different lineages creating identical phenotypes.
• These two species share a more recent common ancestor than they do with other mammalian species.

Cells are made of organelles, specialized structures that each perform specific functions that help the cell maintain homeostasis. This is much like the body systems work together to help the body maintain homeostasis. Consider each of the organelles and body systems paired below. Which pairs perform similar functions? Select ALL four that apply.

• nervous system: nucleus
• digestive system: lysosome
• circulatory system: ribosome
• respiratory system: mitochondria
• integumentary system: cell membrane

Many different trees and shrubs live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This woody habitat supports many types of animals. One species, the black bear, lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains. What effect would logging MOST LIKELY have on the black bear?

• The black bear would become extinct
• The black bear would most likely become a predator of other animals
• The black bear would most likely move away in search of food and shelter
• The black bear would adapt to the changes in its habitat and the numbers would stay about the same.

The polar bear is one of the largest carnivores. It hunts mainly seal on the Arctic ice. What could be a factor that adversely affects the polar bear’s success at hunting, and, in the long run, significantly affects the animal’s chance of survival?

• Global warming melts sea ice, reducing the polar bear’s ability to get food.
• The freezing over of water pockets, making it difficult for the seals to escape.
• The absence of vegetation in the region during the winter, causing the bears to starve.
• The rise in temperatures of the region, disturbing the thermoregulation process of the bear’s body.