Biology District Benchmark

Global measurements indicate that, in the late 2000s, sea levels steadily rose. Rising sea levels lead to the migration of marshlands further inland. The environmental changes caused by rising sea levels have the potential to —

• increase the stability of marsh habitats.

• decrease the stability of marsh habitats.

• increase the biodiversity of organisms that live there.

• alternately increase and decrease the stability of marsh habitats.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

The picture below shows a red blood cell made up of a protein molecule called hemoglobin. Protein molecules, like the one in the picture, can be broken down into smaller components called —

• monosaccharides, or simple sugars.

• fatty acids.

• amino acids.

• polysaccharides, or complex sugars.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

How do plant and animal cells similarly maintain homeostasis?

• How do plant and animal cells similarly maintain homeostasis?

• Both extract energy, but plant cells extract energy from sunlight, while animal cells extract energy from food

• Both form cell walls of cellulose to protect their cells.

• Both absorb carbon dioxide for cellular respiration.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-3

On a visit to a wildlife reserve, Maya and her little brother Ben were shocked to learn that a species of bird that once thrived in the region had completely disappeared. Curious, they asked the guide what caused the extinction. The guide explained that humans, often without meaning to, play a big role in the extinction of plants and animals. Which of the following human activities most likely contribute to the extinction of a species? Select TWO that apply.

• Expanding cities and roads into forests and natural habitats

• Carefully managing and protecting endangered species' environments

• Burning fossil fuels and increasing greenhouse gases

• Removing invasive species that harm native wildlife

• Planting trees to restore deforested areas

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Often insects have an exoskeleton, a hard protective coating made of a complex sugar called chitin. When insects with exoskeletons die, the chitin in the exoskeleton is broken down by decomposers into —

• a simple sugar

• a simple protein

• fatty acids

• amino acids

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Recent evidence indicates that lakes in large areas of Texas are being affected by acid rain. The major effect of acid rain, which affects the stability of the ecosystems in the lakes, is —

• an increase in agricultural productivity.

• the elimination of many species of aquatic life.

• an increase in game fish population levels.

• the stimulation of a rapid rate of adaptation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A river is rushing through a wooded canyon during a flood. This region has received much higher rainfall than in previous years. How will this change in the environment most likely affect the canyon ecosystem in the next week?

• The ecosystem will become more stable because the river will provide trees with more water.

• The ecosystem will become more unstable because the river will tear ferns and soil from the riverbanks.

• The ecosystem will become more stable and then more unstable because the river will swell and shrink.

• The ecosystem will maintain the same level of stability because the river will deposit sediment in the canyon to offset erosion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

An energy pyramid is represented below. The energy for use by organisms in level A originally comes from —

• the sun

• producers

• organisms in level D

• organisms in level B

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

An energy pyramid is represented below. The least amount of available energy is found at level

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Felicia observed that the lettuce plants in her garden had wilted after several days of drought. The next day, there was a downpour of rain, and the leaves began to swell. What cellular process caused this effect in the lettuce plants?

• Active Transport

• Photosynthesis

• Osmosis

• Cellular Respiration

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4