AP Biology Scoring Guide

Unit 3 Test

1. A researcher proposes a model of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in which a reactant is converted to a

product. The model is based on the idea that the reactant passes through a transition state within the enzyme-
substrate complex before the reactant is converted to the product.
Which of the following statements best helps explain how the enzyme speeds up the reaction?

The enzyme’s active site binds to and stabilizes the reactant, which decreases the free-energy change of the
A
reaction.

The enzyme’s active site binds to and stabilizes the transition state, which decreases the activation energy of
B
the reaction.

The enzyme’s active site binds to and stabilizes the product, which increases the amount of energy released
C
by the reaction.

The enzyme’s active site binds to and stabilizes both the reactant and the product at the same time, which
D
increases the reaction’s equilibrium constant.

2. Alcohol dehydrogenase ( ) is an enzyme that aids in the decomposition of ethyl alcohol

into nontoxic substances. Methyl alcohol acts as a competitive inhibitor of ethyl alcohol by competing for
the same active site on . When attached to , methyl alcohol is converted to formaldehyde, which
is toxic in the body.
Which of the following statements best predicts the effect of increasing the concentration of substrate (ethyl
alcohol), while keeping the concentration of the inhibitor (methyl alcohol) constant?

A There will be an increase in formaldehyde because activity increases.

Competitive inhibition will be terminated because ethyl alcohol will bind to methyl alcohol and decrease
B
activity.

C The peptide bonds in the active site of the enzyme will be denatured, inhibiting the enzyme.

Competitive inhibition will decrease because the proportion of the active sites occupied by substrate will
D
increase.

3. A researcher claims that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels cause increased growth rates in plants.
Which of the following statements best supports the researcher’s claim?

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Atmospheric carbon dioxide is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, which are formed from the remains of
A
living organisms such as plants.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is a byproduct of cellular respiration, which is a metabolic process that occurs
B
in plants and other living organisms.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide typically enters plant leaves through stomata, which plants rely on for
C
regulating gas exchange with the atmosphere.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is the raw material for photosynthesis, which plants rely on for producing
D
sugars and other organic compounds.

4. The figures below illustrate the similarities between ATP synthesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts.

The figures can best assist in answering which of the following questions?

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A Do electron transport chains create a gradient so that ATP synthase can generate ATP molecules?

B What are the sources of energy that drive mitochondrial and chloroplast electron transport systems?

What is the optimal temperature at which ATP synthase chemically converts ADP and a phosphate group
C
into one molecule of ATP?

What is the evolutionary relationship between the ATP synthase in mitochondria and the ATP synthase in
D
chloroplasts?

5. A researcher claims that different metabolic pathways allow bacteria to use different molecules as sources of
matter and energy.
Which of the following statements best helps justify the researcher’s claim by providing a relevant example?

A Rhizobia bacteria form close associations with the roots of bean plants.

B E. coli bacteria reproduce in liquid media containing either glucose or galactose.

C The antibiotic rifampicin inhibits the growth of some bacterial strains but not of others.

D Some viruses that infect bacteria reproduce by either the lysogenic cycle or the lytic cycle.

To investigate bacterial metabolism, a researcher divided a population (culture) of Staphylococcus capitis bacteria
into two sets of culture tubes containing glucose. The researcher added a chemical to one set of tubes and measured
the of the cultures at -minute intervals as the bacteria metabolized the glucose into lactic acid. The data are
shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1. AVERAGE CHANGE IN IN CONTROL AND TREATMENT GROUPS OVER A -MINUTE PERIOD

Average of Control Average of Treatment

Time (min)
( ) ( )

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Unit 3 Test

6. Which of the following best describes the process by which the bacteria are breaking down the glucose to
produce lactic acid?

A The bacteria are breaking down sugars in the absence of oxygen.

B The bacteria are creating a gradient to synthesize more .

C The bacteria are using their mitochondria to break down glucose in the presence of oxygen.

D The bacteria are producing in the Krebs cycle that is then converted into lactic acid.

7. Which of the following was the dependent variable in the researcher’s experiment?

A Time

C Glucose concentration

D Lactic acid concentration

8. Which of the following graphs best represents the data in Table 1 ?

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Based on the data in Table 1, which of the following is the earliest time point at which there is a statistical
9.
difference in average between the control and treatment groups?

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A minutes

B minutes

C minutes

D minutes

10. According to the data, which of the following best explains the results of the experiment?

The of the treatment culture was lower than the of the control because the chemical increased the
A
bacterial metabolic rate.

The of the treatment culture was higher than the of the control because the chemical denatured
B
bacterial enzymes and decreased the metabolic rate.

C The chemical increased the metabolic rate of the bacteria because it lowered the .

D The chemical decreased the metabolic rate of the bacteria because it bound all available oxygen.

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11. TABLE 1. PHOTOPIGMENTS IN CYANOBACTERIA

Pigment Color of Reflected Light

Chlorophyll Green

Phycocyanin Blue

Allophycocyanin Blue

Phycoerythrin Red
Cyanobacteria contain a variety of pigment molecules, as shown in Table 1. As a result, the
color of cyanobacteria cultures can vary significantly based on the relative amount of each
pigment produced.
A researcher placed a culture of cyanobacteria under green lights. Within a few weeks, the
appearance of the cyanobacteria changed from green to red. The researcher claimed the
color change in the culture was the result of an adaptation allowing greater photosynthesis.
Which of the following provides the best reasoning to justify the researcher’s claim?

In green light, more chlorophyll a molecules are produced, reflecting more light to other cyanobacteria to be
A
used for photosynthesis.

In green light, more phycoerythrin molecules are produced, allowing more green light to be absorbed, thus
B
increasing photosynthesis.

C In green light, cyanobacteria that have more phycocyanin molecules are less likely to survive and reproduce.

In green light, cyanobacteria that have more allophycocyanin molecules are more likely to survive and
D
reproduce.

12. Which of the following best describes the function

of the coenzymes NAD+ and FAD in eukaryotic

cellular respiration?

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They participate in hydrolysis reactions by

A
accepting protons from water molecules.

They participate directly in the

B
phosphorylation of ADP to ATP.

They serve as final electron acceptors in the

C
electron transport chain.

They aid vitamins such as niacin in the breakdown

D
of glucose.

They accept electrons during oxidation-reduction

E
reactions.

13. A researcher designs an experiment to investigate the effect of environmental temperature on the function of
an enzyme. For each trial included in the experiment, the researcher will add the enzyme and its substrate to
an aqueous buffer solution and then measure the amount of product formed over 20 minutes.
Which of the following must remain the same for all trials of this experiment?

A The initial concentration of the substrate

B The final concentration of the product

C The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme

D The temperature of the aqueous buffer solution

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Unit 3 Test

14.

Figure 1. Diagram of the electron transport chain and synthase in the membrane of mitochondria
On average, more can be produced from an molecule than can be produced from a molecule
of . Based on Figure 1, which of the following best explains the difference in production
between these two molecules?

contributes more electrons to the electron transport chain than does and therefore provides
A
more energy to pump protons.

The electrons of are transferred through three complexes of the electron transport chain whereas
B
those of are transferred through all four complexes.

C contributes more protons to the mitochondrial matrix, which decreases the proton gradient.

The protons contributed by are combined with to make water and are not pumped across the
D
membrane.

Newborn babies and hibernating animals contain a large amount of brown adipose (fat) tissue ( ).
15.
Certain proteins in the cells increase the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane to
protons, disrupting the proton gradient.
Which of the following best predicts the effect of disrupting the proton gradient in ?

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Unit 3 Test

A The of the matrix will increase, allowing the production of more per gram of substrate.

B The of the intermembrane space will decrease, allowing a steeper proton gradient to form.

C Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation will be decoupled, generating more heat but less .

D The number of protons available to pass through synthase will increase, resulting in more .

Melanocytes are skin cells that can become cancerous and develop into a cancer known as melanoma. Some
cancerous melanocytes have developed resistance to the drugs currently used to treat melanoma. As a result,
researchers are investigating the effects of a new compound (drug ) on four different melanoma cell lines.
Researchers analyzed cell survival in two cell lines (Figure 1) and oxygen consumption in the presence of drug
in all four cell lines (Figure 2). Figure 3 shows the proposed mechanism by which drug affects cells.

Figure 1. Percent survival of normal melanocytes and cancerous melanocyte (melanoma) lines and after
treatment with different concentrations of drug

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Figure 2. Oxygen consumption per cell in four melanoma lines after treatment with either solvent alone or solvent
containing drug . Error bars represent .

Figure 3. Pathway leading to cell survival, growth, and proliferation and the likely effect of drug

Based on the information presented, which of the following best explains why the researchers measured
16.
oxygen consumption as an indicator of the effectiveness of drug ?

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A Oxygen provides the source of electrons for cellular respiration and is necessary for energy production.

B Oxygen consumption increases the mutation rate and causes cells to become cancerous.

C Oxygen activates apoptosis, which results in the death of melanoma cells.

D Oxygen accepts electrons in oxidative phosphorylation, a process necessary for melanoma cell survival.

Scientists investigated the effect of oxygen levels on the net rate of carbon fixation in two types of plants. The plants were grown in either well-watered soil (control) or dry soil and
17.
then exposed to either or . The net rate of fixation for both types of plants was measured. Data are shown in Figure and Figure .

Figure 1. Net rate of fixation in two types Figure 2. Net rate of fixation in two types
of plants grown in wet (control) or dry soil of plants grown in wet (control) or dry soil at
at
Which of the following statements about the rate of fixation in the two types of plants is supported by the data shown in the figures?

A At , plant type has a lower rate of fixation than plant type does in both types of soil.

At , plant type has a higher rate of fixation than plant type does in the dry soil but not in the
B
control soil.

C Plant types and have a statistically different rate of fixation in both soil types at both oxygen levels.

D The rate of fixation is the same in both types of plants in the control soil at both oxygen levels.

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Unit 3 Test

18. Scientists were interested in testing the effects of rotenone, a broad-spectrum pesticide, on a cell culture.
Cell culture was used as a control, while culture was treated with rotenone. After a period of time, the
scientists measured the concentration of several metabolites in the mitochondria of cells in both cultures.
Their results are shown in the table below.
Concentration in Culture Concentration in Culture
Metabolites

Pyruvate

Based on the data in the table, which of the following best explains the effects of rotenone on cellular
respiration?

A Rotenone acts as an inhibitor of the enzymes in the Krebs cycle.

, produced during glycolysis, is not able to enter the mitochondria because transport proteins are
B
blocked from entering.

Treated cells are not able to break down because certain enzymes of the electron transport chain are
C
inhibited.

D Rotenone acts as an allosteric inhibitor of glycolytic enzymes, thus inhibiting cellular respiration.

Certain chemicals, including sodium fluoride ( ), are capable of inhibiting specific steps of glycolysis. Figure 1
shows the steps of the glycolysis pathway, indicating where various macromolecules enter the pathway as well as
the specific reaction inhibited by .

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Unit 3 Test

Figure 1. Key steps in the metabolic pathway of glucose

If is added to cells undergoing cellular respiration, which of the following will most likely accumulate
19.
in the cells?

A Glucose Transporter

B Pyruvate

C Phosphoenolpyruvate ( )

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20. An increase in the concentration of protons in the cytosol will most likely have which of the following
effects on glycolysis?

A Glycolytic enzymes will denature as a result of the increased concentration.

B Reaction rate will increase as a result of the increased concentration.

C will replace phosphorous and inhibit formation from .

D The water potential will increase, resulting in a decrease in the rate of glycolysis.

21. Students in a class measured the mass of various living organisms. They then kept the organisms in the dark
for 24 hours before remeasuring them. None of the organisms were provided with nutrients during the 24-
hour period. The data are as follows.

Which of the following is the best explanation for the pattern of change in mass of the organisms over time?

A Water loss due to evaporation

B Cellular respiration

C The law of conservation of matter

D Growth and reproduction

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22.

Figure 1. Change in energy over the course of four chemical reactions

Based on the data in Figure 1, which of the following most likely represents the change in energy that
occurs when hydrolysis is coupled with the phosphorylation of a substrate?

A Line represents hydrolysis, and line represents phosphorylation of a substrate.

B Line represents hydrolysis, and line represents phosphorylation of a substrate.

C Line represents hydrolysis, and line represents phosphorylation of a substrate.

D Line represents hydrolysis, and line represents phosphorylation of a substrate.

For following group of questions first study the description of the data and then choose the one best answer to each
question following it and fill in the corresponding oval on the answer sheet.

To study the actions of the enzyme catalase on hydrogen peroxide, students performed the following experiment.

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Catalase was extracted from potatoes by blending raw potatoes in a blender with cold distilled water. The filtrate
was stored on ice. The following hydrogen peroxide solutions were made: 1 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, and 15
percent. Filter paper disks were soaked in the catalase filtrate and dropped into beakers containing the various
solutions. The activity of the enzyme was measured by the amount of time it took for the disks to float to the
surface of the solution on the bubbles produced by the reaction. The following data were obtained.

23. Which of the following best describes why the disks rose to the surface faster in the more concentrated
hydrogen peroxide solutions?

A There was more enzyme present in the more concentrated solutions.

B A greater amount of heat was generated in the more concentrated solutions.

C The more concentrated solutions lowered the activation energy of the reaction.

D The higher substrate concentrations in the more concentrated solutions speeded the reaction.

E The density of the water was lower in the more concentrated solutions.

24. If the potato solution was boiled for 10 minutes and cooled for 10 minutes before being tested, the average
time for the disks to float to the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution would be

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A less than 1 second

B 5 seconds

C 10 seconds

D 30 seconds

E more than 30 seconds

25. Which of the following statements best helps explain the reaction specificity of an enzyme?

A The free energy of the reactants is greater than the free energy of the products.

B The equilibrium constant of the reaction is much greater than 1.

C The shape and charge of the substrates are compatible with the active site of the enzyme.

D The concentration of the enzyme inside living cells is greater than the concentration of substrate.

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26. Gelatin is a protein that is derived from collagen which is found in the bones, skin, and connective tissue of
animals. To investigate the ability of various enzymes to digest gelatin, a group of students set up an assay
involving camera film. Camera film contains gelatin and appears black when exposed to light but turns clear
as the gelatin gets broken down. The students incubated pieces of exposed camera film in test tubes, each
containing one of three different enzyme solutions (trypsin, lipase, or amylase) as indicated in Figure 1. The
students recorded the time it took for the enzymes to digest the gelatin in each test tube, turning the film
from black to clear.

Figure 1. Diagram of experimental setup.

Which of the following would be the most appropriate control for this experiment?

A A test tube containing no camera film

B A test tube containing only a piece of exposed camera film

C A test tube containing a piece of exposed camera film submerged in water

D A test tube containing a piece of exposed camera film and all three enzyme solutions

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The following questions refer to an experiment that is set up to determine the relative volume of O2 consumed by
germinating and nongerminating (dry) pea seeds at two different temperatures. The change in volume is detected
by using a respirometer over a given period of time. The data are given below.

27. The rate of oxygen consumption in germinating pea seeds at 26ºC is

A 0.05 mL / min

B 0.25 mL / min

C 0.50 mL / min

D 0.75 mL / min

E 1.00 mL / min

28. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the data?

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A Nongerminating pea seeds have a higher rate of respiration than germinating pea seeds do.

B Light is required for pea seed germination.

C In the nongerminating pea seeds, oxygen consumption is directly proportional to oxygen concentration.

D Less carbon dioxide is produced by germinating pea seeds at 26ºC than at 10ºC.

E In pea seeds an increase in temperature results in an increase in oxygen consumption.

A student placed 20 tobacco seeds of the same species on moist paper towels in each of two petri dishes. Dish A
was wrapped completely in an opaque cover to exclude all light. Dish B was not wrapped. The dishes were placed
equidistant from a light source set to a cycle of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark. All other conditions were the
same for both dishes. The dishes were examined after 7 days, and the opaque cover was permanently removed from
dish A. Both dishes were returned to the light and examined again at 14 days. The following data were obtained.

29. According to the results of this experiment, germination of tobacco seeds during the first week is

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A increased by exposure to light

B unaffected by light intensity

C prevented by paper towels

D accelerated in green-leaved seedlings

30. Additional observations were made on day 21, and no yellow-leaved seedlings were found alive in either
dish. This is most likely because

A yellow-leaved seedlings were unable to absorb water from the paper towels

B taller green-leaved seedlings blocked the light and prevented photosynthesis

C yellow-leaved seedlings were unable to convert light energy to chemical energy

D a higher rate of respiration in yellow-leaved seedlings depleted their stored nutrients

31. The enzyme hexokinase catalyzes the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, which is an important
step in glycolysis. The reaction involves the transfer of a phosphate group from to glucose.
Either a glucose molecule or a water molecule can fit in the active site of hexokinase. The presence of a
water molecule in hexokinase’s active site would result in the hydrolysis of to instead of the
conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate.
Which of the following statements best helps explain the reaction specificity of hexokinase?

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Both glucose and water are polar molecules that form favorable interactions with charged and polar amino
A
acid side chains in hexokinase’s active site.

Both glucose and water have oxygen atoms that can form covalent bonds with the phosphorus atoms of
B
phosphate groups.

Glucose is an energy-rich organic molecule that can be broken down by glycolysis to produce ,
C
whereas water is an inorganic molecule.

Glucose has the right shape and charge to cause hexokinase to undergo a structural change needed for
D
catalysis, whereas water does not.

Dichlorophenolindophenol ( ) is a chemical dye. When is chemically reduced, it changes color

from blue to clear. can be used as an electron acceptor in experiments that measure the rate of electron
transport through the electron transport chain. A student performed an experiment to study the effects of a
chemical, , on photosynthesis.

The student prepared four tubes with a liquid buffer and chloroplasts that had been extracted from spinach leaves.
The student then added to three of the tubes and added to one of them. Additionally, tube was
wrapped in tin foil. The contents of each tube are shown in the table. The student then incubated each tube for
minutes and measured the absorbance ( ) of each solution at five-minute intervals. The absorbance readings of
each solution are shown in Figure 1.

Tube : Buffer and water

Tube : , buffer, and water

Tube : , buffer, and water (wrapped in foil)

Tube : , buffer, and

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Figure 1. Absorbance readings of four prepared tubes with various solutions over a -minute period.

32. In which of the following tubes did the greatest reduction of occur after minutes?

A Tube

B Tube

C Tube

D Tube

33. Which of the following claims is best supported by the experimental results?

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A Light is required for the electron transport chain to transfer electrons.

B Water, not carbon dioxide, is the source of electrons used in the light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis.

C Carbon dioxide is the source of carbon used by green plants to build carbohydrates.

provides a significant source of electrons to the electron transport chain of the light reaction in the
D
absence of light.

34. Which of the following best explains how affected the reaction?

A acts as a second buffer in the reaction.

B acts as an additional carrier of electrons from photosystem to .

C acts as an additional source of electrons to the light reaction of photosynthesis.

D acts as an inhibitor to the movement of electrons within the light reaction of photosynthesis.

35. Pyruvate kinase, a key enzyme in the glycolysis pathway, is inhibited by the amino acid alanine. The ability
of alanine to inhibit the enzyme is not affected by increasing the concentration of substrate.
Which of the following best explains the mechanism by which alanine inhibits pyruvate kinase activity?

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A Alanine binds to an allosteric site of the enzyme, changing the shape of the enzyme’s active site.

B Alanine increases the enzyme-substrate binding until the enzyme becomes saturated.

C Alanine is a competitive inhibitor that reversibly binds to the active site of the enzyme.

Alanine binds to the substrate, preventing the substrate from being able to bind to the active site of the
D
enzyme.

36. In an experiment, a scientist isolates mitochondria from living cells and suspends them in two different
buffered solutions. One solution is maintained at pH 4, while the other solution is maintained at pH 9. The
scientist finds that mitochondria in the solution at pH 4 continue to produce ATP but those in the pH 9
solution do not.
The results of the experiment can be used as evidence in support of which of the following scientific claims
about mitochondrial activity?

A Mitochondria in a cell-free environment are unable to convert thermal energy into ATP.

B The electron transport chain pumps electrons from the cytosol to the mitochondrial matrix.

ATP production in mitochondria requires a hydrogen ion gradient that favors movement of protons into the
C
mitochondrial matrix.

ATP synthase molecules change their orientation in relation to the proton gradient across the mitochondrial
D
membrane.

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37.

Which of the following questions will best direct an investigation of the mechanism of ATP synthase?

A What is the source of the inorganic phosphate that is used to generate ATP from ADP?

B Is the phosphorylation of ADP by ATP synthase dependent on the formation of a proton gradient?

Can ATP synthase use the energy released by phosphorylation of ADP to pump protons against a
C
concentration gradient?

D Can oxidative phosphorylation be uncoupled from the electron transport chain?

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38.

The figure above shows an organelle typically found in eukaryotic cells. Which of the following best
describes the function of the double membrane system of this organelle?

The outer membrane allows the transport of all molecules into the intermembrane space, while the inner
A
membrane serves as the regulatory boundary.

The inner membrane has specialized proteins that create a hydrogen ion concentration gradient between the
B
intermembrane space and the matrix.

The outer membrane contains transport proteins that establish a sodium ion concentration gradient used for
C ATP production, while the inner membrane contains transport proteins that establish a hydrogen ion
concentration gradient used for glucose production.

The toxins and wastes entering a cell cross the outer membrane and are detoxified by digestive enzymes
D
stored within the intermembrane space.

39. In addition to the pigments commonly associated with photosynthesis, a certain photosynthetic species
contains two additional pigment types.
Which of the following best supports the claim that this species is better adapted to environmental changes
than other photosynthetic species are?

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A The increased pigment concentration better facilitates energy production within the cells of the species.

The pigment combination allows the organism to absorb heat as well as light, making better use of available
B
energy.

The additional pigments allow the species to outcompete other species for the wavelengths of light
C
commonly used in photosynthesis.

The additional pigments allow the species containing them to harvest energy from wavelengths of light that
D
the other photosynthetic species cannot use.

Muscle contraction depends on hydrolysis. During periods of intense exercise, muscle cells rely on
40.
the supplied by three metabolic pathways: glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and the phosphagen
system. Figure 1 shows the rates at which the three metabolic pathways produce following the start of
an intense period of exercise.

Figure 1. production by three metabolic pathways following the start of an intense period of exercise
Which of the following correctly uses the data to justify the claim that the phosphagen system is an
immediate, short-term source of for muscle cells?

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production by the phosphagen system increases and decreases rapidly following the start of the
A
exercise period.

production by the phosphagen system increases gradually and continuously throughout the entire
B
exercise period.

The produced by the phosphagen system contains more energy per molecule than does the
C
produced by the other pathways.

hydrolysis in muscle cells occurs immediately after the start of the exercise period but stops before the
D
end of the exercise period.

41. Two nutrient solutions are maintained at the same pH. Actively respiring mitochondria are isolated and
placed into each of the two solutions. Oxygen gas is bubbled into one solution. The other solution is
depleted of available oxygen. Which of the following best explains why ATP production is greater in the
tube with oxygen than in the tube without oxygen?

A The rate of proton pumping across the inner mitochondrial membrane is lower in the sample without oxygen.

B Electron transport is reduced in the absence of a plasma membrane.

C In the absence of oxygen, oxidative phosphorylation produces more ATP than does fermentation.

D In the presence of oxygen, glycolysis produces more ATP than in the absence of oxygen.

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42.

Figure 1. Activity levels of two digestive enzymes over a range of

Trypsin and pepsin are enzymes that function in different areas of the digestive tract. One functions in the
stomach, where the is between and , while the other functions in the small intestines, where the
is between and .
Based on Figure 1, which of the following best describes where each enzyme functions?

A Pepsin works in the intestines because the optimal for pepsin is basic.

B Trypsin works in the stomach because the optimal for trypsin is basic.

C Pepsin works in the stomach because the optimal for pepsin is acidic.

D Trypsin works in the stomach because the optimal for trypsin is acidic.

Directions: Each group of questions below concerns an experimental or laboratory situation or data. In each
case, first study the description of the situation or data. Then choose the one best answer to each question
following it.

The following questions refer to the following information and graph.

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The data presented in the figure below are measurements of the rate of oxygen consumption at differing body
masses in a species of fish. Each point represents measurements from a different fish. Measurements were taken at
different temperatures. (○= 10°C,●= 15°C, □= 20°C, ■= 25°C.)

43. The fact that each line on the graph rises from left to right means that

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A higher temperatures produce higher rates of metabolism

B there were more large fish in the samples taken at high temperatures

C larger fish consume more oxygen than smaller fish at all four temperatures

D when measurements are taken for larger fish late in the day, observed values are higher

E larger fish prefer to live at higher temperatures than do smaller fish

44.

Figure 1. Reaction catalyzed by phosphofructokinase (PFK) during glycolysis

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of fructose 6-phosphate to fructose
1,6-bisphosphate during glycolysis, as represented in Figure 1.
PFK can be allosterically inhibited by ATP at high concentrations. Which of the following is the benefit of
regulating glycolysis by the concentration of ATP?

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Glycolysis proceeds when the intracellular concentration of ATP is low, which provides ATP to drive
A
cellular reactions.

Glycolysis proceeds when the intracellular concentration of ATP is high and the cell stores ATP for future
B
use.

Glycolysis is inhibited when the intracellular concentration of ATP is low because PFK requires ATP as a
C
substrate for the reaction it catalyzes.

Glycolysis is inhibited when the intracellular concentration of ATP is high because ATP will compete with
D
fructose 1,6-bisphosphate for binding to the active site on the enzyme.

Directions: Each group of questions below concerns an experimental or laboratory situation or data. In each
case, first study the description of the situation or data. Then choose the one best answer to each question
following it.

A tissue culture of vertebrate muscle was provided with a constant excess supply of glucose under anaerobic
conditions starting at time zero and the amounts of pyruvic acid and ATP produced were measured. The solid line
in the graph above represents the pyruvic acid produced in moles per liter per minute. ATP levels were also found
to be highest at points A and C, lowest at B and D. A second culture was set up under the same conditions, except
that substance X was added, and the results are indicated by the dotted line.

45. Which of the following best accounts for the shape of the solid line between points A and D?

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A After ten minutes the cellular enzymes became ineffective.

B Respiration became uncontrolled.

C ATP acted as an allosteric inhibitor on one or more of the enzymes.

D The measurements of pyruvic acid were unreliable.

E The cells required more glucose than was being provided.

46. It is most reasonable to hypothesize that, in the breakdown of glucose, substance

X is

A an activator

B an inhibitor

C a substrate

D a coenzyme

E a cofactor

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47.

Figure 1. Change in the relative concentration of product over time

Figure 1 shows the amount of product produced in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction over five minutes. Which
of the following best explains how the rate of the reaction changes over time?

A The rate increases because more products are made over time.

B The rate increases because the ratio of product to substrate increases.

C The rate decreases because the ratio of product to substrate increases.

D The rate decreases because the enzyme is used up as the reaction progresses.

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48.

Which of the following statements best describes how organisms such as rabbits obtain the carbon necessary
for building biological molecules?

Rabbits eat plants and use energy absorbed from the plants to make carbon atoms from electrons, protons,
A
and neutrons in the air.

Rabbits eat plants and break down plant molecules to obtain carbon and other atoms that they rearrange into
B
new carbon-containing molecules.

Rabbits eat plants and use water absorbed from the plants to hydrolyze , which the rabbits breathe in
C
from the air and use as a carbon source.

Rabbits eat plants and make carbon-containing molecules by using carbon atoms that the plants absorbed
D
from the soil and stored in the cells of their leaves.

49. Which of the following is responsible for the cohesive property of water?

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A Hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atoms of two adjacent water molecules

B Covalent bonds between the hydrogen atoms of two adjacent water molecules

Hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atom of one water molecule and a hydrogen atom of another water
C
molecule

Covalent bonds between the oxygen atom of one water molecule and a hydrogen atom of another water
D
molecule

E Hydrogen bonds between water molecules and other types of molecules

If of the nucleotides in a single-stranded molecule are adenine, then what percent are expected to
50.
be thymine?

High levels of certain plant nutrients in runoff can lead to rapid growth of algae (an algal bloom) in aquatic
ecosystems. These algal blooms are generally followed by algal death and decomposition, which consumes large
amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water and results in oxygen levels insufficient to support aerobic respiration.
This process is known as eutrophication. The amount of algae present in a body of water can be estimated from the
amount of chlorophyll a in a sample of the water. A researcher studying eutrophication collected samples at
different times of the year in a freshwater ecosystem. The samples were analyzed for total nitrogen and chlorophyll
a concentration (Figure 1) as well as total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentration (Figure 2).

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Figure 1. Amount of chlorophyll a in relation to the amount of total nitrogen Figure 2. Amount of chlorophyll a in relation to the amount of total phosphorous

51. Which of the following best explains how higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus contribute to
eutrophication?

An increase in the population of algae results in more nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, causing severe
A
eutrophication.

Both bacteria and algae require nitrogen and phosphorus, so the algae must grow faster to compete with
B
bacteria.

Nitrogen and phosphorus stimulate oxidative phosphorylation, which consumes the available oxygen in the
C
water.

Algae require nitrogen and phosphorus to build macromolecules, so higher concentrations of these nutrients
D
can result in algal blooms.

52. Which of the following was the dependent variable in the researcher’s study?

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A The concentration of chlorophyll a

B The concentration of total nitrogen and phosphorus

C The slope of the trend line showing the rate of change

D The variance of the data points from the trend line

53. Which of the following describes the relationship between the amount of chlorophyll a in a water sample
and the concentration of nitrogen in that sample?

A As the concentration of chlorophyll a increases, the concentration of nitrogen decreases.

B The concentrations of nitrogen and chlorophyll a are directly correlated.

C The concentrations of chlorophyll a and nitrogen increase throughout the year.

D There is no relationship between the concentrations of chlorophyll a and nitrogen.

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54. The figure shows a model of the exchange of matter between the organisms that live together in an
aquarium. The model includes matter exchange between plants, fish, and bacteria. The bacteria are
represented as rod-shaped organisms living in the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium.

Which of the following statements best describes how molecules released by the fish become nutrients for
the plants?

The carbon dioxide molecules released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to oxygen atoms, which are
A
used by the plants to make water molecules.

The oxygen molecules released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to ammonia molecules, which are
B
used by the plants to make lipids and fatty acids.

The nitrites released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to carbon dioxide molecules, which are used by
C
the plants to make carbohydrates.

The ammonia molecules released by the fish are converted by the bacteria to nitrates, which are used by the
D
plants to make proteins and nucleic acids.

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55. Figure 1 represents a common process that occurs in organisms.

Figure 1. Structural formula for a common biological reaction

Which of the following is an accurate description of the process shown in Figure 1 ?

A The linking of amino acids with an ionic bond as an initial step in the protein synthesis process

B The formation of a more complex carbohydrate with the covalent bonding of two simple sugars

C The hydrolysis of amino acids with the breaking of covalent bonds with the release of water

D The formation of a covalent peptide bond in a dehydration synthesis reaction

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56. Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the transport of water across the cell membrane. One group of
researchers hypothesizes that without functional aquaporins, no water will be able to enter the cell. A
different group proposes an alternative hypothesis, stating that even with nonfunctional aquaporins, a small
amount of water will still cross the cell membrane. An experiment is set up in which plant cells with
mutated (nonfunctional) aquaporins and plant cells with normally functioning aquaporins are both placed in
distilled water.
Which of the following data would support the alternative hypothesis?

A Cells with functional aquaporins exhibit low turgor pressure and are hypertonic.

B Cells with functional aquaporins exhibit high turgor pressure and are hypotonic.

C Cells with mutated aquaporins exhibit an absence of turgor pressure and are completely plasmolyzed.

D Cells with mutated aquaporins exhibit moderate turgor pressure and are hypertonic.

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57.

A student placed a semipermeable membrane inside a U-shaped channel with two chambers, as shown. The
membrane permits the movement of water but not salt. The student wants to vary the rate of osmosis that
occurs across the membrane. Which of the following experimental designs will result in the fastest net rate
of water movement into chamber A?

A Placing salt water in chamber A and distilled water in chamber B

B Placing distilled water in both chambers

C Placing distilled water in chamber A and salt water in chamber B

D Placing salt water in both chambers

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58. A student calculated the average surface area-to-volume ratio of four different types of human epithelial
cells. The results are shown in the table below.
Cell Type Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

Simple squamous 9

Simple cuboidal 6

Simple columnar 4

Simple spherical 3
Based on the data, which type of cell would be best suited for the lining the alveoli of the lungs, where
diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen must occur very rapidly?

A Simple squamous cells

B Simple cuboidal cells

C Simple columnar cells

D Simple spherical cells

59. A mutation in the gene coding for a single-polypeptide enzyme results in the substitution of the amino acid
serine, which has a polar R group, by the amino acid phenylalanine, which has a nonpolar R group. When
researchers test the catalysis of the normal enzyme and the mutated enzyme, they find that the mutated
enzyme has much lower activity than the normal enzyme does.
Which of the following most likely explains how the amino acid substitution has resulted in decreased
catalytic activity by the mutated enzyme?

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The substitution decreased the mass of the enzyme so that the mutated enzyme binds more weakly to the
A
substrate than the normal enzyme does.

The substitution altered the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme so that the mutated enzyme folds
B
into a different shape than the normal enzyme does.

The substitution caused many copies of the mutated enzyme to cluster together and compete for substrate to
C
bind.

The substitution caused the directionality of the enzyme to change such that the amino terminus of the
D
normal enzyme has become the carboxy terminus of the mutated enzyme.

60. A common test for liver function involves sprinkling sulfur powder onto a sample of urine (mostly water
with dissolved bodily waste). Sulfur powder sprinkled on a sample from an individual with impaired liver
function will sink because the urine contains a high level of bile salts, while the sulfur powder sprinkled on
normal urine samples will float.

Which of the following best explains why bile salts cause the sulfur powder to sink?

A Bile salts decrease the surface tension of the urine sample.

B Bile salts increase the water potential of the urine.

C Bile salts increase the density of the urine sample.

D Bile salts decrease the strength of the covalent bonds within a water molecule.

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