Content Benchmark L.8.B.3
Students know some organisms are made of just one cell and that multicellular organisms
can consist of thousands to millions of cells working together. E/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Describe the specialization of cells in multicellular organisms
(e.g., skeletal muscles, nerve cells, epidermal cells, cardiac muscle).
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. All unicellular organisms
A. are bacteria.
B. carry on all functions of life.
C. exist as parasites.
D. are prokaryotic cells.
2. The cells within an organism that carry out different tasks are called
A. separated.
B. organized.
C. specialized.
D. distinguished.
3. Specialized cells within an organism carry out
A. similar functions which are unnecessary for the survival of an organism.
B. all functions necessary for the survival of an organism.
C. identical functions to every other cell in the organism.
D. specific functions that aid in the survival of an organism.
4. Which of the following is NOT true of multicellular organisms?
A. All cells perform the same functions.
B. All cells are contained within a membrane.
C. All cells work together for the survival of the organism.
D. All cells originated from one cell.
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of cell specialization?
A. A bacterium that carries out photosynthesis.
B. A muscle cell that maintains a heart beat.
C. A red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout an organism.
D. A skin cell that helps form a barrier around an organism.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
6. The DNA in every cell of a multicellular organism is genetically identical, but some
cells are specialized because those cells
A.
B.
C.
D.
contain certain genes and not others.
eliminate certain genes and not others.
express specific genes and not others.
replicate certain genes and not others.
7. A tissue sample is composed of cells with long projections to send signals to other
cells. This tissue is most likely composed of
A. muscle cells.
B. nerve cells.
C. adipose cells.
D. bone cells.
8. In which cell would you expect to find the most mitochondria?
A. A muscle cell in the leg muscle of a sprinter.
B. A cell of the stomach lining that manufactures digestive enzymes.
C. A red blood cell that transports oxygen.
D. A nerve cell that transmit signals to the brain stem
9. Which of the following is the BEST explanation for why a unicellular organism has
no need of a circulatory system? A unicellular organism
A. can exchange materials directly with its environment.
B. does not transport materials within itself.
C. can surround itself in all the nutrients that are required for life and does not
need to excrete wastes.
D. has indirect contact with the external environment and does not require the
transport of nutrients.
10. What organism contains specialized cells?
A. Amoeba
B. Paramecium
C. E. coli
D. Fungi
Constructed Response L.8.B.3
1. The data in the table below indicates the average number of cells in five different
organisms.
Use the data table and your knowledge of cell structure and organization to
answer the following questions.
A. Define a unicellular organism.
B. Compare and contrast cell organization and function in unicellular organisms
and multicellular organisms.
C. Humans are composed of a large number of cells which are specialized. Why
must some human cells be specialized? Use the muscle cell as an example.
Content Benchmark L.8.B.3
Students know some organisms are made of just one cell and that multicellular organisms
can consist of thousands to millions of cells working together. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. B, DOK Level 1
2. C, DOK Level 1
3. D, DOK Level 1
4. A, DOK Level 1
5. A, DOK Level 1
6. C, DOK Level 2
7. B, DOK Level 2
8. A, DOK Level 2
9. A, DOK Level 2
10. D, DOK Level 2
Constructed Response L.8.B.3 Score Rubric:
Response addresses all parts of the question clearly and correctly.
3 points
A. Students must define a unicellular organism as an organism which
carries on all the functions of life, but is composed of only one cell.
B. Students should include the fact that unicellular organisms consist of
one cell and multicellular organisms are composed of more than one
cell. Both types of organisms carry on all the functions of life such as
metabolism, growth and development, response to stimuli, and
reproduction. However, multicellular organisms may contain
specialized cells for increase efficiency of these roles.
C. Students should note that the specialization of cells in the human
body allows for more efficient functioning for survival. Muscle cells
in humans allow for locomotion and the movement of various
materials like air, blood, wastes, and nutrients throughout the body.
Unicellular organisms have no need of this specialization. A
unicellular organism may use a flagellum, cilia, or the cytoskeleton
for locomotion. Also, the cell can move things around the inside of
the cell via the cytoskeleton.
2 points
Response addresses all parts of the question and includes only minor
errors.
1 point
Response does not address all parts of the question.
0 points
The response is totally incorrect or no response.