Science Exam #1
2014 - High School - Governor’s Cup Practice Questions
Student Instructions:
 Write your complete ID code on your answer sheet.
 For each question, choose the BEST answer. If you change your answer, erase well.
1.
The bi-lobed pituitary gland is often called the “master gland” because of the large number of regulatory
hormones it produces. Which of the following hormones is NOT produced by the anterior pituitary?
A.
adrenocorticotropic hormone
B.
anti-diuretic hormone
C.
follicle-stimulating hormone
D.
Luteinizing hormone
2.
Relatively few bones of the human body do not articulate with another bone. What U-shaped bone in the
neck serves as an attachment site for the muscles of the tongue and larynx?
A.
hyoid
B.
malleus
C.
sphenoid
D.
palatine
3.
The hormone formally called dormin is found in large amounts in newly fallen leaves. This hormone is
responsible for seed dormancy, growth inhibition, and promotes leaf senescence. What is the current name
for this plant hormone?
A.
auxin
B.
gibberelin
C.
abscisic acid
D.
ethylene glycol
4.
Plants reproduce by an alternation of generations. In vascular plants, what structure produces spores?
A.
a haploid sporophyte stage
B.
a diploid sporophyte stage
C.
a haploid gametophyte stage
D.
a diploid gametophyte stage
5.
Members of Phylum Ctenophora are marine invertebrates that possess eight rows of cilia that helps propel
them through water. What is the common name for members of this phylum?
A.
bdelloids
B.
comatulids
C.
sand dollars
D.
comb jellies
6.
Most animals develop as either protostomes or deuterostomes. Which of the following is a difference
between protostomes and deuterostomes?
A.
In protostomes, the archenteron forms during gastrulation.
B.
C.
D.
In deuterostomes, the archenteron forms during gastrulation
In protostomes, the mouth develops from the blastopore
In deuterostomes, the mouth develops from the blastopore.
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 1
7.
The ribosome is the site of protein synthesis for the cell. What site on the ribosome is the location where
most t-RNA arrive, bringing its associated amino acid?
A.
A-site
B.
B-site
C.
P-site
D.
E-site
8.
Cystic fibrosis is a single-gene genetic disorder that causes mucous build-up in the lungs, salty-tasting skin,
poor growth, and potential infertility. What is the term for a genetic disorder that is controlled by a single
gene, but has multiple phenotypic traits?
A.
phenotypic plasticity
B.
genetic drift
C.
epistasis
D.
pleiotropy
9.
Consider a cell that normally possesses 1 microgram (μg) of genetic material. If that cell begins mitosis, how
much genetic material would you expect the cell to possess when in prophase?
A.
0.5 μg
B.
1 μg
C.
1.5 μg
D.
2 μg
10.
Fermentation occurs as pyruvate breaks down in the absence of oxygen within the cell. Which of the
following is the primary product of fermentation?
A.
glucose
B.
sucrose
C.
NAD+
D.
ATP
11.
Viruses consist of a protein shell that surrounds and protects a short strand of nucleic acid. What is the term
given the protein shell of viruses?
A.
capsid
B.
envelope
C.
capsule
D.
endosome
12.
Consider the flagellated protist on the right, best known for causing African Sleeping
Sickness. Which of the following protozoa is likely to be this organism?
A.
Amoeba
B.
Trypanosoma
C.
Paramecium
D.
Plasmodium
13.
Which form of coal is the hardest, has a high luster, and burns the cleanest?
A.
anthracite
B.
bituminous
C.
lignite
D.
peat
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 2
14.
There have only been two nuclear disasters to measure Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
Which nuclear power plant disaster ranks the worst in human history?
A.
Chalk
B.
Chernobyl
C.
Three-Mile Island
D.
Submarine K-27
15.
Consider the reaction: 2H2 + O2  2H2O. Which of the following best describes this type of reaction?
A.
metathesis reaction
B.
single displacement reaction
C.
synthesis reaction
D.
decomposition reaction
16.
Consider the reaction Ba(OH)2 + CuCNS  Ba(CNS)2 + 2CuOH. If two moles of Ba(OH)2 are reacted with
an excess of CuCNS, how many moles of CuOH are expected to be produced?
A.
1
B.
2
C.
4
D.
6
17.
Group 16 of the periodic table are the oxygen family. By what other name are these elements known?
A.
alkali metals
B.
pnictogens
C.
halogens
D.
chalcogens
18.
The Pauling Scale assigns electronegativity values to the elements of the periodic table. With a value of
almost 4.0, what element is the most electronegative?
A.
fluorine
B.
francium
C.
neon
D.
oxygen
19.
Standard Pressure for chemistry is considered to be 1 atmosphere (atm). How many pascals are the
equivalent of 1 atm?
A.
1 Pa
B.
760 Pa
C.
1 X 102 Pa
D.
1.01 X 105 Pa
20.
Match Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion:
x. The orbit of every planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one of
the two foci.
y. The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to
the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.
z. A line joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas
during equal time intervals.
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. Kepler’s First Law
2. Kepler’s Second Law
3. Kepler’s Third Law
x-1, y-2, z-3
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-3, y-1, z-2
x-2, y-3, z-1
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 3
21.
A 100 ml sample of Argon gas is heated from 27ᵒC to 127ᵒC at a constant pressure. According to Charles’
Law, what is the final volume of this quantity of gas to the nearest milliliter?
A.
133 ml
B.
240 ml
C.
470 ml
D.
2400 ml
22.
An acid solution of unknown substance is found to possess 1 X 10-5 moles per liter of free hydrogen ions.
What would be its concentration of free hydroxide ions in solution?
A.
1 X 10-10 moles per liter
B.
1 X 10-9 moles per liter
C.
1 X 10-5 moles per liter
D.
1 X 105 moles per liter
23.
Diprotic acids will dissociate to release two hydrogen ions. Which of the following is a well-known example
of a diprotic acid?
A.
phosphoric acid
B.
sulfuric acid
C.
hydrochloric acid
D.
acetic acid
24.
Electrons are said to possess little to no mass. In kilograms, what is the mass of an electron?
A.
6.6 X 10-34 kg
B.
6.1 X 10-27 kg
C.
9.1 X 10-31 kg
D.
6.0 X 10-24 kg
25.
Three structures of carbon are diamond, fullerene, and graphite. What term refers to an element that can exist
in different structural forms?
A.
alkane
B.
isotope
C.
isomer
D.
allotrope
26.
Consider the organic functional group to the right. What name best describes this group?
A.
phenyl
B.
benzyl
C.
alkyl
D.
carboxyl
27.
Consider the compound on the right. What name best describes this compound?
A.
propane
B.
propene
C.
propyne
D.
propanol
28.
A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 10 m/s. Neglecting air resistance, what is the
total time the ball will remain in the air before hitting the ground?
A.
0.5 s
B.
1.0 s
C.
2.0 s
D.
5.0 s
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 4
29.
The speed of efflux of a fluid through a sharp-edged hole at the bottom of a tank filled to a
depth of h is the same as the speed that a body would acquire in falling freely from that
same height as seen in the equation to the right. This law is known by what name?
A.
Snell’s Law
B.
Torricelli’s Law
C.
Hess’ Law
D.
Hooke’s Law
30.
Match the Laws of Thermodynamics:
x. Absolute zero cannot be achieved.
y. If two systems are both in thermal equilibrium with a third system,
then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
z. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. Zeroth Law
2. First Law
3. Third Law
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-2, y-3, z-1
x-3, y-1, z-2
31.
In the absence of dampening, this phenomenon occurs when the frequency of a force matches a natural
frequency at which an object vibrates. This phenomenon is defined as the condition under which an
oscillating force can transmit amounts of energy to an oscillating object, leading to a large amplitude motion.
What is this phenomenon?
A.
resonance
B.
harmonicity
C.
interference
D.
construction
32.
Sound intensity is often measured in decibels (dB). What intensity value in dB is considered to be the
“threshold of pain”?
A.
100 dB
B.
120 dB
C.
130 dB
D.
150 dB
33.
Batteries have two terminals—one that releases electrons and one that receives them. Which of the following
is considered to be the positive terminal on a battery?
A.
anode
B.
diode
C.
cathode
D.
antinode
34.
Consider the circuit symbol at the right. What does this symbol represent in a circuit diagram?
A.
resistor
B.
capacitor
C.
battery
D.
inductor
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 5
35.
This type of radiation occurs when a moving particle loses energy that is then converted into a photon. What
is the term for the “braking radiation” produced by the deceleration of a charged particle when it is deflected
by another charged particle?
A.
tachyon radiation
B.
thermal radiation
C.
Cherenkov radiation
D.
bremsstrahlung radiation
36.
Consider the emission spectrum for the hydrogen atom at the right. What is
group labeled “X” in the diagram?
A.
Bracket series
B.
Balmer series
C.
Lyman series
D.
Paschen series
37.
These stars are very hot, luminous, and emit in the blue range. What spectral class of stars is the most
massive and include blue stars such as Xi Persei, Cygnus X-1, and Upsilon Sagittarii?
A.
Type G
B.
Type B
C.
Type K
D.
Type O
38.
Towering at a height of nearly 22 km, this mountain is the largest known in the solar system. What is this
shield volcanic mountain found on Mars?
A.
Boosaule Montes
B.
Maxwell Montes
C.
Olympus Mons
D.
Elysium Mons
39.
Located in British Columbia, it is one of the most significant fossil beds on Earth. What is this black rock
formation that contains fossils of life from the Cambrian explosion?
A.
Burgess Shale Formation
B.
Angwa Sandstone Formation
C.
Tegana Formation
D.
McKenzie Formation
40.
Match these winners of multiple Nobel laureates:
x. Marie Curie
y. Linus Pauling
z. Frederick Sanger
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. 1958 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
2. 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; 1962 Nobel Peace Prize
3. 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics; 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-3, y-2, z-1
x-3, y-1, z-2
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 6
41.
Because only about one-ninth of the volume of a typical iceberg is above water, ships traversing the polar seas
must be careful. What term refers to a small floating iceberg?
A.
bergy bit
B.
ice calf
C.
polynya
D.
Bergschrund
42.
One of the three major classes of lava flows, this type of basaltic lava has a smooth, undulating surface. What
is this type of lava flow that typically moves in small lobes that break out from a cooled crust?
A.
a’a
B.
coulées
C.
kipukas
D.
pahoehoe
43.
The year 1905 is sometimes called this scientist’s “miracle year” due to his formulation of four major theories
of physics. Who won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect?
A.
Paul Dirac
B.
Albert Einstein
C.
Louis de Broglie
D.
Enrico Fermi
44.
Hair, feathers, and scales are types of coverings for vertebrates. What protein is the major component of each
of these coverings?
A.
chitin
B.
sclerotin
C.
collagen
D.
keratin
45.
As an object approaches the speed of light, its length will appear increasingly shorter for a stationary
observer. What phenomenon is this?
A.
Born rigidity
B.
Doppler effect
C.
Lorentz contraction
D.
Newtonian mechanics
46.
This cellular solution contains water, enzymes, dissolved ions, and dissolved gases. What is this liquid
portion of a cell?
A.
cystoskeleton
B.
cytosol
C.
endoplasm
D.
ectoplasm
47.
Mayflies emerge in late spring and lay thousands of eggs and then die. What is the term for this form of
reproduction in which an organism has one reproductive occurrence?
A.
iteroparity
B.
synchronicity
C.
polycarpy
D.
semelparity
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 7
48.
Consider an atom with the electron configuration of 1s22s1 in ground state. What element is this atom?
A.
lithium
B.
sodium
C.
beryllium
D.
boron
49.
Magnetic flux is the product of the average magnetic field times the perpendicular area through which it
travels. What is the SI unit for magnetic flux?
A.
siemens
B.
weber
C.
tesla
D.
henry
50.
Match the heart condition with its description:
x. tachycardia
y. myocardial infarction
z. bradycardia
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. irregularly slow heart beat
2. irregularly fast heart beat
3. heart attack
x-1, y-2, z-3
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-2, y-3, z-1
x-3, y-2, z-1
2013-14 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 8
Science Exam 1 - High School
2013-2014 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions
1. B
31. A
2. A
32. C
3. C
33. A
4. B
34. C
5. D
35. D
6. C
36. B
7. A
37. D
8. D
38. C
9. D
39. A
10. C
40. C
11. A
41. A
12. B
42. D
13. A
43. B
14. B
44. D
15. C
45. C
16. C
46. B
17. D
47. D
18. A
48. A
19. D
49. B
20. B
50. C
21. A
22. B
23. B
24. C
25. D
26. A
27. C
28. C
29. B
30. D