Life Structure Unit Test
PART 1
Do Not Write on this Portion of the Test
The questions on this test measure your
knowledge and understanding of science.
The test has two parts. This booklet contains
Part I which contains multiple choice
questions only. Please do not write in this
booklet, instead use scrap paper for any work
that is required and record your answers to
these questions on the separate answer sheet.
Use only a No. 2 pencil on your answer sheet.
You will receive Part II, which consists of
open-ended questions upon your completion of
Part I. For Part II you will write your answers
to the questions in the spaces provided in the
test booklet.
1. Organisms are classified as insects based on
their
(1) method of reproduction
(2) internal and external structures
(3) natural habitat
(4) form of communication
2. Chromosome is to nucleus as DNA is to
(1) cytoplasm
(3) cell membrane
(2) gene
(4) chloroplast
3. Which condition is the result of abnormal
cell division?
(1) cancer
(3) infection
(2) pregnancy
(4) extinction
4. Which process gives rise to a variety of
traits within a species?
(1) sexual reproduction
(2) dynamic equilibrium
(3) cellular respiration
(4) internal regulation
5. In multicellular organisms, cell division is
required for growth and
(1) circulation
(3) repair
(2) locomotion
(4) respiration
.
6. To provide energy for the work that cells do,
all cells need
(1) chloroplasts
(2) nutrients
(3) atmospheric nitrogen
(4) carbon dioxide
7. Cells are to tissues as tissues are to
(1) microbes
(3) systems
(2) organs
(4) bacteria
8. Which group is made up of organisms that
are all members of the same kingdom?
(1) cat, frog, and mushroom
(2) mold, bacteria, and apple tree
(3) grass, worm, and shark
(4) fern, rose bush, and corn plant
9. In a one-celled organism, cell division is
responsible for
(1) growth and maintenance
(2) sexual reproduction
(3) asexual reproduction
(4) production of sex cells
10. Which of the organisms shown below
consists of only one cell?
(1) pine tree
(2) ameba
(3) mushroom
(4) earthworm
11. Which disease is a result of abnormal cell
division?
(1) AIDS
(3) chicken pox
(2) cancer
(4) common cold
12. The diagram below shows a student
making a wet-mount slide.
Why should the student make sure the edge of
the coverslip touches the drop of water before
setting the coverslip onto the slide?
(1) to increase evaporation
(2) to reduce air bubbles
(3) to clean the slide
(4) to prevent the coverslip from breaking
13. Which example would result in new cells
that are most different from the parent cells?
(1) yeast cells splitting into new cells
(2) bacteria cells dividing into new cells
(3) skin cells dividing to produce more skin
cells
(4) sperm and egg cells uniting to produce
fertilized egg cells
14. Growth and repair in multicellular
organisms are the result of
(1) excretion
(3) cell division
(2) locomotion
(4) decomposition
15. Many cells have a nucleus that contains
chromosomes. These chromosomes carry
genes that are composed of
(1) hormones
(2) DNA molecules
(3) minerals and water
(4) undigested food molecules
16. The diagram below shows a microscopic
view of a one-celled organism. Four cell
structures are labeled.
Which statement about the labeled structures is
correct?
(1) They normally can be seen without magnification.
(2) They can survive outside the cell.
(3) They help carry on life activities within the
cell.
(4) They cause disease within the cell.
17. Three different human cells are shown
below.
Which process occurs in all of these cells?
(1) metamorphosis
(2) locomotion
(3) reproduction
(4) photosynthesis
18. The structures found in a living cell can be
compared to the parts of a factory that
produces cars. Which part of the factory is
most similar to the nucleus of a living cell?
(1) a conveyor belt that transports materials
(2) a storage bin that holds the pieces needed
to assemble a car
(3) the computer room that controls the
assembly process
(4) the generator that provides energy for the
factory
19. Which illustration is an example of a multicellular organism?
(1) hydra
(2) euglena
(3) paramecium
(4) ameba
Base your answers to questions 8 and 9 on the drawings of bird feet and the dichotomous
key below.
20. Bird B is correctly identified as
(1) a cormorant
(3) an eagle
(2) a duck
(4) a jacana
21. What is a common feature of both the eagle and the kingfisher?
(1) claws large
(3) three toes webbed together
(2) claws curved
(4) four toes webbed together
PART 2: Answer all questions directly in this test booklet.
22. The table below provides some information about common plant cell structures and their
functions. In the table, there are three blank spaces. Fill in the three blank spaces by writing the
name of the plant cell structure that performs the function described. [3]
Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions
Plant Cell Structure
Cell membrane
Function
Allows substances to enter and leave the cell
Directs the cell’s activities including reproduction
Captures energy from sunlight to make food
Protects and supports the cells
Cytoplasm
Vacuole
Allows the movement of materials around the cell
and supports other cell structures
Stores food, water, and waste
Base your answers to questions 22 and 23 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of
science. The diagram shows a cell with some basic cell structures labeled.
22. Identify two structures labeled in the diagram, other than
the large vacuole, that indicate this cell is a plant cell. [1]
(1) ______________________________________________
(2) ______________________________________________
23. Which hereditary material in the nucleus of the cell is
responsible for passing traits on to the next generation? [1]
_____________________________________________
Base your answers to questions 24 through 26 on the diagrams and key below and on your
knowledge of science. The diagrams show two cells and some of their structures.
24. List two structures that are found in both plant and animal cells. [1]
(1) _________________________________________
(2) _________________________________________
25. Which structure shown in the plant cell diagram is the site of photosynthesis? [1]
____________________________________________
26. Which cell structure shown in the diagrams contains genetic material? [1]
____________________________________________
Base your answers to questions 27 and 28 on the diagram of a cell below and on your
knowledge of science. Some of the cell structures are labeled.
27. Which two structures are found in plant cells, but not in animal cells? [2]
(1) ______________________________________
(2) ______________________________________
28. Select three of the structures labeled in the diagram key. List these structures in the table
below. For each structure selected, state its function in the cell. [3]