CAPT SCIENCE REVIEW: Strand V: Genetics, Evolution, & Biodiversity
Essential Question: What processes are responsible for life’s unity and diversity?
Multiple Choice Questions
Fossil Record
The diagram below shows the fossil record of different species.
_____1. When did a major extinction event most likely occur?
A.
B.
C.
D.
(D INQ. 7)
At the end of the Cenozoic.
At the end of the Permian.
At the beginning of the Silurian.
At the beginning of the Cambrian.
____2. According to the records of fossil species V and W, which statement is most likely true?
A. Fossil species W appeared before fossil species V, allowing fossil species W to survive
longer.
B. Fossil species W was ancestral to fossil species V because it appeared before fossil
species V.
C. Fossil species W had greater genetic variability than fossil species V, allowing fossil
species W to adapt and survive longer.
D. Fossil species W had lower reproductive success than fossil species V, allowing smaller
populations to adapt and survive.
_____3. The growth rate of a local population is dependent on the birth rate minus the death rate and
_____________.
(D 44)
A.
B.
C.
D.
the ratios of males to females in the population.
The lifespan of females beyond the reproductive age.
The amount of genetic variation that exists in a population.
The immigration and emigration of individuals to and from the population.
_____4. Vestigial structures, such as hip bones in whales and appendixes in humans, are those that
have little or no function for the organism. What is the most likely reason for this loss of function
over time?
(D 41)
A.
B.
C.
D.
The organism is undergoing speciation.
The organism is experiencing genetic drift.
The structure was over utilized by the organism.
The structure was not highly beneficial to the organism.
_____5. Which of the following represents a modern-day example of evolution by natural selection?
(D 40)
A.
B.
C.
D.
The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
The development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.
The development of a diversity of beak types among finches on the Galapagos Islands.
All of the above.
_____6. One of the reasons that humans tend to have longer life expectancies in developed countries
is that ___________________.
(D 45)
A.
B.
C.
D.
People in developed countries eat more processed foods.
People in developed countries have more access to methods of birth control.
People in developed countries have more access to cell phones.
People in developed countries have more access to advanced medical care.
_____7. When a cell with half the number of chromosomes is generated during meiosis, how can it
eventually produce cells with the normal number of chromosomes?
(D 36)
A.
B.
C.
D.
By undergoing six phases of mitosis.
By forming two nuclei during cell division.
By combining with a gamete from another organism.
By releasing young normal cells through exocytosis.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a condition characterized by difficulty in breathing and digestion. CF is
caused by a defect in a specific gene. The pedigree diagram below shows the inheritance
pattern of cystic fibrosis in two generations of a family.
_____8. Which couple has a 25S% probability of producing offspring who are homozygous for cystic
fibrosis?
(D 37)
A.
B.
C.
D.
3 and 4
5 and 6
7 and 8
9 and 10
_____9. An individual with CF is not able to transmit the disease by physical contact because
___________.
(D 39)
A.
B.
C.
D.
The gene for the disorder is only carried in the bloodstream.
CF is a genetic disorder and can only be passed from parent to offspring.
The bacteria that transmit the defective gene must be inherited from a parent.
CF is so rare that the probability of coming into contact with an affected individual is low.
Illnesses
The common cold is caused by a virus that enters the human body and causes mild, flu-like
symptoms. Some people believe that the common cold can be treated by digesting the herb
Echinacea. The following table shows results from a study conducted to explore the effects of
Echinacea on children with colds.
_____10. Data in the table show that the use of Echinacea can ___________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Reduce the length of cold infection from 10 to 7 days.
Increase the incidence of colds in children from 52% to 64%.
Increase the percent of children with skin rash from 2.7% to 7.1%.
Reduce the numbers of children having colds from 370 to 337 cases.
______11. A possible conclusion from the data is that Echinacea __________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
(D INQ.2)
(D INQ.9)
Is a safe remedy for the common cold
Is effective only for children
Has side effects
Reduces the length of colds
_____12. It is very difficult to develop a vaccine against the common cold. The reason for this is that
the common cold virus ______________________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Hides in the digestive system.
Changes rapidly due to high mutation rates.
Includes RNA as its genetic material.
Is too small for the immune system to detect.
Strand V: OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
POPULATION GRAPHS FOR TAIWAN
The graphs below show the population of Taiwan in 2000 and the predicted population of
Taiwan in 2050.
QUESTIONS:
1)Draw a conclusion regarding the overall population change in Taiwan from 2000 to 2050.
2)Describe two factors that may contribute to the predicted population changes from 2000 to 2050.
Strand V: Open-ended Questions
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
Suppose a consumer reads the following news release regarding the safety of a genetically
modified (GM) food product.
1) Provide three reasons a consumer should question the conclusions
presented in this news release. Write your answer below.
Strand V: Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity ANSWER KEY
1. b
2. c
3. d
4. d
5. d
6. d
7. c
8. c
9. b
10. c
11. c
12. b
Open-ended
Population graphs for Taiwan – 2009 released item
Genetically modified food – 2008 released item
Resources:
1. Connecticut State Department of Education – Released CAPT items
http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/cedar/assessment/capt/released_items.htm
The above link will connect you to scoring rubrics for open-ended and many multiple choice questions.
2. Windsor Public Schools, Science CAPT Study Guide. Windsor, CT 2007.
3. CAPT Science. Get Smart Books. Webster House, Ridgefield, CT. Copyright 2005, 2009. ISBN – 1-932635-03-3
4. New York Regents Exams Released items: Living Environment June 2009