STAAR Biology Vocabulary

An illustration of how a particular DNA mutation will most likely affect the polypeptide produced is shown. What type of mutation is illustrated?

• insertion

• translocation

• substitution

• deletion

Answer explanation

The original strand has a GTA coding for His. The mutated strand has a GGA which codes for Pro instead. The T got switched for a G, so this is a substitution.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Photosynthesis takes in ​ (a)   and spits out ​ (b)   . Cellular respiration takes in ​ (c)  

• light energy

• chemical energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Eukaryotic cells have ​ (a)   and DNA in the ​ (b)   . Prokaryotic cells have ​ (c)   and DNA in the ​ (d)   .

• membrane-bound nuclei or organelles

• nucleus

• NO membrane-bound nuclei or organelles

• cytoplasm

For an enzyme to be able to catalyze a reaction, the active site must -

• cause the enzyme to be destroyed in the reaction

• increase the activation energy level

• be occupied by an inhibitor

• have a complementary shape to the substrate

Snowshoe hares change coat color during the year. In the summer, when there is no snow on the ground, their coat is brown. In the winter when there is snow, their coat is white. Which describes the genetic basis for seasonal changes in coat color?

• The snow causes mutations in the genes

• The genes are regulated by hormone signals that are altered by changes in the environment

• Sunlight causes cancer cells to develop

• The genes are deleted during the summer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

When multiple transitional fossils are found in many rock layers, they provide evidence of -

• seasonal variation in the diet of a species

• gradual change of a species over time

• DNA functioning as the genetic material of organisms

• an unchanging environment

Answer explanation

transitional = CHANGE. Look for the answer choice talkig about change occurring.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Match the following

• speed up

• active site

• proteins that speed up chemical reactions

• catalyze

• organism that lives and feeds on another organism for food

• enzyme

• region of an enzyme where reactants bind

• parasite

• changing from one state to another

• transition

Overfishing is when fish are caught faster than they can reproduce, causing the decline of fish populations. Overfishing ​ (a)   the stability of the ecosystem by ​ (b)   .

• increases

• disrupting food chains

• decreases

• increasing competition for limited resources

• allowing prey populations to overproduce

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Reorder the following traits from oldest to youngest.

• four limbs

• vertebral column

• retractable claws

• hair

• sharp teeth

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Farmers spray pesticides on plants to protect plants from being eaten by insects. Some individual insects have a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the pesticides. Which best describes how only a few resistant individuals resulted in the pesticide becoming ineffective?

• the resistant insects change the toxin on the plants, making it safe for others

• the resistant insects grow larger and eat less of the plants

• the resistant insects eat the contaminated surface and leave the rest for others

• the resistant insects are able to survive to reproduce and create a population that is also resistant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4