Science Proficiency

Front 1

Which type of molecule stores geneticinformation in living organisms?

A lipid

B nucleic acid

C enzyme

D complex carbohydrate

Back 1

nucleic acid

Explanation: The molecule that restores genetic information is DNA which stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid.

Front 2

The graph below shows the growth of a plant over eight months.

During which of these time periods did the plant grow at the fastest rate?

A from 2 to 3 months

B from 3 to 4 months

C from 4 to 5 months D from 5 to 6 month

Back 2

from 4 to 5 months

Explanation: Shows the highest rise which is the same as the fastest growth during these months.

Front 3

Which of these actions is most likely the first step of a scientific investigation?

A organizing data into tables and graphs

B researching results of similar studies

C documenting procedures in a written record D determining the results from analysis of data

Back 3

researching results of similar studies

Explanation: Have to research in order to create a hypothesis.

Front 4

The graph below shows the major sources of energy used to produce electricity in the United States.

Based on the graph, approximately what percent of electricity is produced by the process of heating steam to power a turbine?

A 30%

B 50%

C 70%

D 90%

Back 4

90%

Explanation: All of the energies create steam that burns except for Hydroelectric Conventional, that powers the turbine through the force of the water, and we don't know the other renewable resources. Also if they are renewable they would not burn up. These two add up to 10% and subtract from the other 100% and you have the 90%.

Front 5

Which part of a sodium atom is transferred when an ionic bond is formed with another atom?

A proton

B inner electron

C neutron

D outer electron

Back 5

outer electron

Explanation: All of the other electrons in the electron cloud are stable except for the electrons in the outer cloud. These electrons are the ones that will form other bonds like covalent or ionic bonds.

Front 6

Which of these diagrams shows the most likely pattern of air currents above a coastal region in the late afternoon on a hot, sunny day?

Back 6

Explanation: Heat travels to through the atmosphere to the water, wind pushes it to the land mass and evaporation sends it back into the Atmosphere.

Front 7

A newly formed star is composed mostly of which of these two elements?

A iron and uranium

B sodium and neon

C carbon and oxygen

D hydrogen and helium

Back 7

hydrogen and helium

Explanation: these are the two elements that go through nuclear fusion in the sun and make the explosions that make the sun shine.

Front 8

How would a disease that damages the mitochondria most directly affect the

functioning of cells?

A Protein synthesis would be stopped.

B Waste materials would remain trapped in the cell.

C Hereditary information in the cell would be destroyed.

D Energy obtained from food molecules would be reduced.

Back 8

Energy obtained from food molecules would be reduced.

Explanation: Mitochondria's main job is the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production.

Front 9

When traveling in Nevada, a student and her family drove throughout the basin and range bioregion. Which of these are native organisms typically found in this bioregion?

A the cottonwood tree and the iguana

B the Joshua tree and the black-tailed jackrabbit C the redwood tree and the bald eagle

D the palm tree and the ring-necked pheasant

Back 9

the Joshua tree and the black-tailed jackrabbit

Expl: These are the two common items found in our desert landscape.

Front 10

Argon, atomic number 18, has an atomic weight of 39.9. Potassium, atomic number 19, has an atomic weight of 39.1.Which of these statements best explains why potassium has a lower atomic weight than argon?

A Potassium is reactive, while argon istypically inert.

B Potassium atoms lose electrons moreeasily than argon atoms.

C Potassium is typically a solid, whileargon is typically a gas.

D Potassium atoms usually have fewerneutrons than argon atoms.

Back 10

Potassium atoms usually have fewerneutrons than argon atoms.

Expl: The atomic weight is the amount of protons and neutrons that are in the atom. The atomic number is usually the amount of protons in an atom. So, since Potassium has a higher atomic number the protons it has are 19. The atomic number would only make sense if the amount of neutrons was less since the atomic weight is less than argon.

P+N= Atomic Weight

Atomic Number= P only

Argon= 18+21.9=39.9

Potassium= 19+20.1=39.1

Front 11

Sickle-cell anemia is a disease that affects the shape of red blood cells and impairs their ability to transport oxygen. Which of these statements best explains why sickle-cell anemia is classified as a hereditary disease?

A Both males and females can be carriersof the disease.

B A gene controls the protein synthesisfor the components of red blood cells.

C The disease is highly contagious from a carrier to another person.

D Red blood cells are transmitted between mother and offspring during pregnancy.

Back 11

A gene controls the protein synthesisfor the components of red blood cells.

Expl: This means the information for sickle-cell anemia is in the DNA which is the instructions for your genetic code. This makes it pass down through generation to generation making it hereditary.

Front 12

At which point did greenhouse gases first begin to affect temperatures on Earth?

A when the first land plants appearedon Earth B when the atmosphere first formedon Earth

C after the hole formed in the ozone layer

D after humans started using fossil fuels

Back 12

when the atmosphere first formed on Earth

Expl: In order for us to have carbon dioxide and Nitrogen and oxygen to create plant life. We would need the atmosphere to create the heat for the the right temperatures and conditions for plants to grow.

Front 13

In which of these circuits will a magnetic field be the strongest at point X?

Back 13

Expl: Because of Equidistance the magnetic field would store up and grow in the coil. Since they are are both an equal distance away from the power source.

Front 14

The cell cytoplasm divides at the end of the process of mitosis. Which of these would be the most likely consequence if the cytoplasm divided at the beginning of the process of mitosis?

A Each daughter cell would havetwo nuclei.

B Each daughter cell would have differentnumbers of chromosomes.

C Each daughter cell would have nonucleus.

D Each daughter cell would havemembranes of different thicknesses.

Back 14

Each daughter cell would have differentnumbers of chromosomes.

Expl: Since the cytoplasm would be dividing in the beginning of mitosis and have not completed the cycle. The chromosomes would not have been able to divide completely and would have only half of the information that they would need.

Front 15

Which table shows two isotopes of the same element?

Back 15

Expl: An Isotope has the same amount of protons in the same element but different amount of Neutrons.

Front 16

Mammals and fish are both vertebrate classes of animals. Which term best describes the development overtime of the differences between these two related classes?

A homeostasis

B law of superposition

C spontaneous generation

D descent with modification

Back 16

descent with modification

Expl: Although both started as vertebrates because natural selection each generation was formed with a new mutation( modification) in the genetic code. which means each descendent was a modified version of the original. So, vertebrates that are now fish were given different modifications than mammals which is why they are fish now same goes for mammals.

Front 17

The graph below shows the temperature of a sample of water as it is heated during five intervals of time.

During which intervals of time is the average kinetic energy of the water molecules in the sample increasing?

A intervals 1 and 2

B intervals 1, 3, and 5

C intervals 2 and 4

D intervals 2, 3, and 4

Back 17

intervals 1, 3, and 5

Expl: Only times it is rising in the graph.

Front 18

Changing which of these factors would have the greatest effect on the strength of the electrostatic force between two charged objects?

A the total mass of the objects

B the atmospheric pressure on the objects

C the distance between the objects

D the gravitational field between the objects

Back 18

the distance between the objects

Expl: When two items are charged the only thing that can lessen or strengthen the charge would be how close or far two items are from each other.

For example, magnets the farther they are from one another the weaker the pull between the two is.

Front 19

Which of these changes would most likely result in a temporary decrease in average surface temperatures on Earth?

A a significant increase in decomposerbacteria populations

B a major volcanic eruption releasingsignificant amounts of ash

C a significant amount of continental icemelting into ocean water

D a large increase in the amount of carbondioxide in the atmosphere

Back 19

a major volcanic eruption releasingsignificant amounts of ash

Expl: The ash and smoke would would cover a portion of the land which would decrease the amount of sunlight also decreasing the amount of heat in an area. This would temporary decrease the temperature on Earth.

Front 20

Although all modern breeds of dogs are members of the same species, they exhibit a wide range of physical characteristics.Which of these statements provides the best evidence that this range of characteristics is the result of artificial selection?

A The rate of change between modern dogbreeds has decreased.

B Some modern dog breeds arepoorly adapted to living in naturalenvironments.

C The ancestors of modern dog breedswere more genetically diverse thanbreeds today.

D Many modern dog breeds are welladapted to living in both small and largepopulations.

Back 20

Some modern dog breeds arepoorly adapted to living in naturalenvironments.

Expl: Artificial selection is when a certain gene/trait is picked by man to breed for a specific purpose. So, some dogs were bred to be indoor dogs when in nature dogs were meant to be outside in the wild. If the selection was done naturally then certain breeds like chiwahwahs would have died out because they would have not survived.

Front 21

A mirage is an optical illusion that can create the appearance of water where there is none. When a mirage appears on a section of hot pavement, it can cause an object to appear as though it is being reflected in a pool of water. The picture below shows a mirage on a highway.

Which of these best models how rays of light are affected by a mirage?

Back 21

shining a laser beam through a glass lens

Expl: Mirages happen when the ground is very hot and the air is cool. The hot ground warms a layer of air just above the ground.When the light moves through the cold air and into the layer of hot air it is refracted(bent). This is why this is the best model because when the light hits the glass it acts as the warm air hitting the light making the light bend.

Front 22

A mirage is an optical illusion that can create the appearance of water where there is none. When a mirage appears on a section of hot pavement, it can cause an object to appear as though it is being reflected in a pool of water. The picture below shows a mirage on a highway.

Which statement best explains how light is affected by the mirage shown in the picture?

Back 22

Warmer air near the surface of the pavement causes the light to bend.

Expl: Mirages happen when the ground is very hot and the air is cool. The hot ground warms a layer of air just above the ground.When the light moves through the cold air and into the layer of hot air it is refracted(bent). This is why this is the best model because when the light hits the glass it acts as the warm air hitting the light making the light bend.

Front 23

A mirage is an optical illusion that can create the appearance of water where there is none. When a mirage appears on a section of hot pavement, it can cause an object to appear as though it is being reflected in a pool of water. The picture below shows a mirage on a highway.

The behavior of light observed in a mirage best supports which statement about light?

Back 23

Light moves like a wave.

Front 24

Some scientists are studying the fossils found in several layers of rock in the walls of a canyon.The scientists are using evidence they find in the canyon to determine information about Earth’s past. The diagram below shows where the fossils were found in the canyon.

Which statement best describes most of the species of organisms that became the fossils found in the canyon?

Back 24

Most of the species have become extinct.

Expl: If they have become a fossil that means the species died/extinct.

Front 25

Some scientists are studying the fossils found in several layers of rock in the walls of a canyon.The scientists are using evidence they find in the canyon to determine information about Earth’s past. The diagram below shows where the fossils were found in the canyon.

A fossil of a plant that has small leaves and a thick stem is found in the canyon.The scientists believe that the modern-day cactus plant evolved from this plant.Which trait most helped this species of small plant to evolve into a modern-day cactus plant?

Back 25

having a high degree of genetic variation

Expl: This is would give the cactus the best chance to evolve and survive through the different times and different ecosystems and adapting.

Front 26

Some scientists are studying the fossils found in several layers of rock in the walls of a canyon.The scientists are using evidence they find in the canyon to determine information about Earth’s past. The diagram below shows where the fossils were found in the canyon.

Which statement about Earth’s past is best supported by the evidence the scientists discovered in the canyon?

Back 26

The fossils in the canyon were formed from organisms that lived in different types of ecosystems.

Expl: In the canyon there are different layers that are made due to the different ecosystems and environments.

Front 27

Great Basin Most of the state of Nevada is located within the Great Basin Desert, a predominantly cold and high-altitude desert. The Great Basin Desert receives less than eleven inches of precipitation per year, mainly due to its location in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Most of the precipitation falls in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter and early spring months.The map below shows the approximate locations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Great Basin Desert.

Which two phenomena most directly cause storms to move from west to east over the Sierra Nevada mountain range and theGreat Basin Desert?

Back 27

uneven heating of Earth’s surface andthe rotation of Earth on its axis

Front 28

In 1911, approximately 52% of theprecipitation that fell in the Lake Tahoeregion of the Sierra Nevada mountainswas snow. Today, approximately 34%of the precipitation that falls in the LakeTahoe region is snow. Which statementdescribes how rivers and streams that flowfrom the Lake Tahoe region into the Great Basin Desert will most likely beaffected if this trend continues?

Back 28

Rivers and streams will contain morewater in the winter and less water inthe spring and summer.

Front 29

Over the next century, the temperaturein the Great Basin Desert is expected toincrease anywhere from 2 to 5 degreesCelsius due to global climate change.Which statement best explains how themovement of heat will likely be affectedin the Great Basin Desert due to globalclimate change?

Back 29

Radiation will transfer the same amountof heat from the sun to Earth’s surfaceand more heat will be moved around inthe atmosphere via convection.

Front 30

Predator and Prey A computer model can be used to predict changes in the populations of predators and prey overtime. A simple model can be used to make accurate predictions if there is only one predator speciesand one prey species. A model showing the populations of a predator and its prey is shown below.

Which term describes the most likely role of the predator in this environment?

Back 30

secondary consumer

Front 31

Which best predicts how the populationsof the predator and prey will change fromyear 91 to year 95?

Back 31

The prey population will increase andthe predator population will decrease.

Front 32

Which information would be most usefulto construct a model of the populationsof a predator species and prey species inan area?

Back 32

the initial population size, reproductionrate, and survival rate of each species

Front 33

Most plastic manufacturers stamp a number called a resin code onto the bottom of their products.The resin code is used to indicate the type of chemicals used during the production of the plastic.Although the resin codes are numbered from 1 to 7, there are actually many more different typesof plastics used in manufacturing. The table below shows some of the properties of the types ofplastics associated with each resin number.

Each of the plastics that is stamped with resin codes is best classified as

Back 33

a homogeneous mixture.

Front 34

Based on the information in the table, whichtwo resin numbers could be used to separateplastics based on their ability to float or sinkin water?

Back 34

3 and 4

Front 35

A plastic whose molecules arranged in arigid lattice shape at 243°C would mostlikely have which resin code?

Back 35

resin code 1

Front 36

Which of these would be most helpful inincreasing the rate of plastics recycling?

Back 36

developing a single plastic that can bemodified for many different uses

Front 37

Atoms of the element fluorine have sevenouter electrons. Which charge is a fluorideion most likely to have?

Back 37

-1

Front 38

Which of these is directly determinedby DNA?

Back 38

the order of amino acids in a protein

Front 39

Which of these changes is an example ofnuclear fusion?

Back 39

Two hydrogen isotopes combine to form helium.

Front 40

Each year, Frank tills the soil, addsnutrients, and grows different vegetablesin his backyard. Which diagram bestrepresents how a sample of the soil inFrank’s backyard would look?

Back 40

Front 41

The table below shows the classification of three stars that can be seen from Earth.

Which list shows these stars arrangedin order from highest to lowest surfacetemperature?

Back 41

Rigel, Aldebaran, Antares

Front 42

Which of these changes would most likely increase crop productivity in afarmland area?

Back 42

increasing the population of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the area

Front 43

The diagram below represents parts ofEarth’s lithosphere and asthenosphere.The arrows show the direction of theconvection currents in the asthenosphere,and each of the four points identifies alocation on the lithosphere.

Which point on the diagram represents alocation where a mid-ocean ridge wouldmost likely form?

Back 43

point Y

Front 44

Which of these are an example of ionizing radiation?

Back 44

gamma rays

Front 45

A pathogen infects an organism. Whichstatement best describes the general effectof the infection on the organism?

Back 45

The organism experiences a disruption in homeostasis.

Front 46

A sealed terrarium that contains soil, plants,and a small bowl of water is placed in awindow. If the intensity of solar energyreaching the terrarium through the windowis increased by 10%, how would the watercycle within the terrarium most likely beaffected?

Back 46

The rate of evaporation would increase.

Front 47

The picture below shows a specific structurefound in a vertebrate animal.

Which term best describes a relatedgroup of these structures working togetherto perform a similar function?

Back 47

tissue

Front 48

Changing which of these factors wouldhave the greatest effect on the gravitationalforce between two objects?

Back 48

the masses of the objects

Front 49

The allele for pattern baldness (B) is dominant, and the non-bald allele (b) isrecessive. Susan’s mother’s genotype is bb and her father’s is BB. Susan and her threebrothers all have the same genotype (Bb).All of Susan’s brothers have patternbaldness, but she does not. Which statementbest explains why it is possible for Susan to have the same genotype as her brotherswithout having pattern baldness?

Back 49

Pattern baldness is a sex-linked trait.

Front 50

All of the following are examplesof classification schemes used inscience except

Back 50

continental drift.