Science Exam # 2 – High School
2012-13 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 skin possesses several exocrine glands that produce secretions. What type of gland produces oils that
moisten and lubricate the skin and hair?
A.
ceruminous gland
B.
eccrine gland
C.
sudoriferous gland
D.
sebaceous gland
2.
One of the most remarkable things about the Periodic table developed by Dmitri Mendeleev was that he left
openings in the table to represent elements that had not yet been discovered. What element today was
originally called eka-aluminum by Mendeleev?
A.
gallium
B.
rubidium
C.
chromium
D.
radium
3.
Deuterostomes develop an anus first embryologically. Which of the following invertebrates are
deuterostomes?
A.
arachnids
B.
rotifers
C.
mollusks
D.
echinoderms
4.
Colligative properties are those properties of a solution that are dependent upon the ratio of the number of
solute particles to the number of solvent particles within that solution. Which of the following is NOT a
colligative property?
A.
osmotic pressure
B.
freezing point depression
C.
electronegativity
D.
vapor pressure depression
5.
An object is dropped from a height of 100 m. How far will the object have fallen in 2.5 seconds (ignoring air
resistance)?
A.
31 m
B.
81 m
C.
62 m
D.
12 m
6.
Also called the vomeronasal organ, this sense organ supplements the olfaction ability of many animals,
especially reptiles. What is the name of this olfactory organ that snakes can access with their forked tongues
from the insides of their mouths?
A.
amygdala
B.
oval window
C.
adenoids
D.
Jacobson’s organ
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 1
7.
Leptons are elementary particles that can comprise matter. Which of the following is NOT a lepton?
A.
neutrino
B.
antiproton
C.
muon
D.
electron
8.
A plant is found to possess vascular tissue, enclosed seeds within a fruit, true roots, and perfect flowers with
10 petals. To which of the following sets of taxa would such a plant best belong?
A.
Phylum Coniferophyta, Class Gnetophyta
B.
Phylum Bryophyta, Class Anthocerotophyta
C.
Phylum Anthophyta, Class Dicotyledonae
D.
Phylum Coniferophyta, Class Monocotyledonae
9.
An 2.5 kg object moves forward at 4.0 m/s. From this information, what is the momentum of this object?
A.
10 newton meters
B.
10 kilogram meters per second
C.
10 newtons
D.
none of the above are the correct value and/or unit
10.
Glycolysis is the first step to cellular respiration. What enzyme catalyzes the initial breakdown of glucose in
the first step of glycolysis?
A.
glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase
B.
hexokinase
C.
sucrase
D.
rubisco
11.
Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Which of the following minerals is a
crystallized form of Al2O3?
A.
corundum
B.
gypsum
C.
pyrite
D.
cinnabar
12.
The ecological trophic pyramid consists of both producers and consumers. What term is given to those
organisms that might also be referred to as being carnivores?
A.
primary producer
B.
secondary producer
C.
primary consumer
D.
secondary consumer
13.
Gas pressure may be measured in atmospheres or millimeters of mercury. How many mm of Hg are the
equivalent to 1 atm?
A.
760
B.
1000
C.
1200
D.
4225
14.
Helium is the lightest of the noble gases. How many moles of helium are in 6.0 g of He?
A.
0.67 mol
B.
1.3 mol
C.
1.5 mol
D.
3.0 mol
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 2
15.
Analyze the distance-time graph to the right. Which of the following
statements most accurately describes the motion presented in the graph?
A.
The object decelerates at a constant rate, stops, then accelerates to a
faster rate.
B.
The object moves toward the observer then immediately returns to its
point of origin.
C.
The object moves at a constant velocity toward the observer and passes
the observer to continue moving away.
D.
The object moves toward the observer at a constant velocity, stops, then returns to its original
position but at a quicker rate.
16.
Originally described by Ibn Sahl in 984, this law of optics describes the relationship between the angles of
incidence and refraction during refraction. What law states that sinθ1/sinθ2 = n2/n1?
A.
Fresnel’s Law
B.
Huygens’ Principle
C.
Snell’s Law
D.
Lambert’s Law
17.
Ionic compounds are composed of atoms that donate and accept valence electrons such that they form ions
that are attracted due to electrostatic force. What term refers to the energy needed to completely separate one
mole of a solid ionic compound into its gaseous ionic components?
A.
electronegativity
B.
enthalpy
C.
Curie point
D.
lattice energy
18.
“Oh be a fine girl, kiss me” is a common memory device to remember the stellar classes of stars. To which
stellar class does our Sun belong, those that are yellow and medium size?
A.
O
B.
A
C.
G
D.
M
19.
Some bacteria are able to produce a hardened covering that induces dormancy in the bacterium during
stressful environmental conditions. What is this covering?
A.
endospore
B.
capsule
C.
cell wall
D.
envelope
20.
Match the hormone with its gland of origin:
x. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
y. Triiodothyronine
z. Aldosterone
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. anterior pituitary gland
2. thyroid gland
3. adrenal gland
x-1, y-2, z-3
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-3, y-1, z-2
x-2, y-3, z-1
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 3
21.
Paramecia are unicellular freshwater protozoa found in most waters throughout Kentucky. By what form of
locomotion do paramecia move?
A.
pseudopodia
B.
cilia
C.
flagella
D.
Nothing. Paramecia do not move.
22.
Isaac Newton described this phenomenon as a force “…by which bodies are drawn or impelled, or in any way
tend, toward a point as to a centre.” What force is the one that keeps a roller coaster on the tracks during a
loop?
A.
centrifugal force
B.
radial force
C.
centripetal force
D.
terminal velocity
23.
The surface of our sun can be seen as having both light and dark areas. What term refers to the light bright
areas of the sun’s surface?
A.
solar flares
B.
sunspots
C.
solar granulations
D.
solar faculae
24.
This area is delineated by a change in seismic velocity during earthquake activity. What is the boundary
between the Earth’s crust and mantle?
A.
Conrad discontinuity
B.
Compton boundary
C.
Mohorovicic discontinuity
D.
convergent boundary
25.
Humans can hear a finite range of frequencies. What is the accepted typical threshold of frequencies that
humans can perceive, beyond which is said to be ultrasonic frequencies?
A.
5,000 Hz
B.
10,000 Hz
C.
20,000 Hz
D.
50,000 Hz
26.
This phenomenon is found in materials that possess large numbers of unpaired, spin dipoles per atom. What
term refers to a substance whose dipoles enter into large-scale cooperative alignments and therefore are
attracted to magnetic objects and themselves? They can be easily magnetized at room temperature.
A.
diamagnetic
B.
paramagnetic
C.
perimagnetic
D.
ferromagnetic
27.
Mosses do not possess true roots, but instead possess holdfast structures to anchor them. What are these
holdfast structures that cannot absorb water or nutrients?
A.
rhizomes
B.
rhizoids
C.
stolons
D.
tubers
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 4
28.
An organism with genotype AaBbccDd is crossed with an organism genotype AabbCcdd. What is the
probability that this union would have at least one offspring with the genotype aabbccdd?
A.
1/64
B.
1/32
C.
3/32
D.
5/16
29.
Named after its inventor in 1929, this device can accumulate very high voltages on a hollow metal globe that
rests upon a stand. What common electrical device found in most high school physics classes is used to make
a student’s hair stand up when he/she grasps the metal globe?
A.
Bell jar
B.
Leyden jar
C.
MASER
D.
Van de Graaff generator
30.
Match the polyatomic ion:
x. acetate
y. ammonium
z. bicarbonate
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. NH4+
2. CH3COO3. HCO3-
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.
Phospholipids contain a hydrophobic nonpolar tail and a hydrophilic polar head. What term refers to any
molecule that is polar on one end and nonpolar on the opposite end?
A.
amphoteric
B.
miscible
C.
amphiprotic
D.
amphipathic
32.
One of Maxwell’s equations, this law helps form the basis of the field of electrodynamics. What law states
that for any closed surface the net flux of the electric field passing through that surface is proportional to the
total enclosed charge?
A.
Coulomb’s Law
B.
Gauss’s Law
C.
Ohm’s Law
D.
Faraday’s Law
33.
An atom of Uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay. What atom will result from this decay?
A.
Thorium-234
B.
Uranium-238
C.
Thorium-238
D.
Neptunium-238
34.
Members of Order Carnivora are mammals that possess enlarged cuspid teeth for the ripping and tearing of
meat. Which of the following is NOT in Order Carnivora?
A.
elephant seal
B.
giant panda
C.
Tasmanian wolf
D.
wolverine
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 5
35.
Consider the equation 3H2 (g) + N2 (g)  2NH3 (g). According to Avogadro’s Law, how does the volume of
hydrogen compare to that of ammonia?
A.
It is the same
B.
It is 2/3 as much
C.
It is 1.5 times as much
D.
It is 2 times as much
36.
Mollusks, nemerteans, and many annelids possess a free-swimming larva with
several bands of cilia such as seen on the right. What term is given to these larval
forms?
A.
planulae
B.
trochophores
C.
plasmodia
D.
imagos
37.
This geneticist won the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work concerning transposable genes
in maize. Who discovered “jumping genes?”
A.
Barbara McClintock
B.
Lynn Margulis
C.
T. H. Morgan
D.
Margaret Chase
38.
Most birds have a survivorship curve similar to the one on the right. What
type of survivorship involves organisms that have a constant mortality rate
throughout their lifespan?
A.
Type I Survivorship
B.
Type II Survivorship
C.
Type III Survivorship
D.
Type IV Survivorship
39.
Consider the electron configuration [He]2s22p2. This configuration belongs to what element?
A.
lithium
B.
beryllium
C.
carbon
D.
oxygen
40.
Match the scientist with his manuscript(s):
x. Aristotle
y. Galileo
z. Francis Bacon
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. The Organon
2. Novum Organum
3. Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems
x-1, y-3, z-2
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-3, y-2, z-1
x-1, y-2, z-3
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 6
41.
Photosynthesis consists of two series of reactions—the light dependent series and the light independent
reactions. Which of the following compounds is produced during the light dependent reactions of
photosynthesis?
A.
glucose
B.
adenosine triphosphate
C.
phosphoenolpyruvate
D.
carbon dioxide
42.
Free hydrogen ions can stimulate one type of human taste bud. Because of this, acids tend to taste how?
A.
sweet
B.
sour
C.
salty
D.
bitter
43.
The most stable arrangement of electrons in atomic subshells is one with the greatest number of parallel spins.
This statement is better known as what?
A.
Hund’s Rule
B.
Aufbau Principle
C.
Pauli Exclusion Principle
D.
Planck Equation
44.
Identifying the functional group of an organic compound can provide valuable information concerning that
compound’s properties. What functional group consists of -NH2?
A.
hydroxyl
B.
amide
C.
amine
D.
nitrile
45.
The first widely successful method of sequencing DNA involved marking individual nucleotides with one of
four radioactive or fluorescent dyes. What is the name of this method of DNA sequencing?
A.
PCR
B.
Sanger method
C.
ELISA
D.
restriction mapping
46.
Having values of n-1, this value determines the shape of the atomic orbital. What quantum number is
designated by the letters s, p, d, and f?
A.
angular momentum quantum number
B.
electron spin quantum number
C.
principal quantum number
D.
magnetic quantum number
47.
This distance represents the distance from the center of a star at which the gravitational attraction between the
particles of the star cause a gravitational collapse which leads to its becoming a black hole. What is this
distance?
A.
cosmic censorship
B.
Schwarzschild radius
C.
Killing horizon
D.
event horizon
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 7
48.
A solution contains a hydrogen ion concentration of 1 X 10-5 moles per liter. What is the pH of this solution?
A.
1
B.
5
C.
9
D.
10
49.
Organelles aid a cell in performing efficient chemical reactions. Which cellular organelle is responsible for
the synthesis of lipids such as steroids?
A.
rough endoplasmic reticulum
B.
ribosomes
C.
Golgi complex
D.
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
50.
Match the environmental problem with its primary cause:
x. acid precipitation
1. CFC pollution in the atmosphere
y. ozone depletion
2. car exhaust in densely populated areas
z. photochemical smog
3. Industrial burning of sulfur containing coal
A.
B.
C.
D.
x-1, y-2, z-3
x-2, y-1, z-3
x-3, y-1, z-2
x-3, y-2, z-1
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions - Page 8
Science- High School - Exam # 2
2012-13 Governor’s Cup Practice Questions
1. D
31. D
2. A
32. B
3. D
33. A
4. C
34. C
5. A
35. C
6. D
36. B
7. B
37. A
8. C
38. B
9. B
39. C
10. B
40. A
11. A
41. B
12. D
42. B
13. A
43. A
14. C
44. C
15. D
45. B
16. C
46. A
17. D
47. B
18. C
48. B
19. A
49. D
20. A
50. C
21. B
22. C
23. D
24. C
25. C
26. D
27. B
28. B
29. D
30. B