Biology — Semester B Practice

Question 1 of 10

TEKS 11A-12F Medium Word Diagram

The energy pyramid below shows energy transfer between trophic levels. Approximately how much energy is available to secondary consumers if producers have 10,000 kcal?

A 5,000 kcal

B 100 kcal

C 10 kcal

D 1,000 kcal

Explanation

📌 The 10% Rule: Only ~10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level.
Producers: 10,000 → Primary: 1,000 → Secondary: 100 → Tertiary: 10
Secondary consumers get approximately 100 kcal.

Question 2 of 10

TEKS 9A-9D Easy Word

Which biomolecule is the primary source of quick energy?

A Proteins

B Carbohydrates

C Lipids

D Nucleic acids

Explanation

📌 Carbohydrates = quick energy (glucose, starch).
Lipids = long-term energy storage. Proteins = building/repair. Nucleic acids = genetic info.

Question 3 of 10

TEKS 6A-6H Medium Word Diagram

Based on the Punnett square below, what is the probability of the offspring being heterozygous?

A 25%

B 100%

C 50%

D 75%

Explanation

📌 From Bb × Bb cross:
BB = 1/4 (homozygous dominant)
Bb = 2/4 = 1/2 (heterozygous) ← THIS
bb = 1/4 (homozygous recessive)
Probability of heterozygous = 50%

Question 4 of 10

TEKS 11A-12F Easy Word Diagram

The diagram shows a carbon cycle. Which process RELEASES carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?

A Nitrogen fixation

B Cellular respiration

C Photosynthesis

D Condensation

Explanation

📌 Processes that RELEASE CO₂:
• Cellular respiration (animals AND plants)
• Combustion (burning fossil fuels)
• Decomposition

Process that ABSORBS CO₂:
• Photosynthesis

Question 5 of 10

TEKS 6A-6H Easy Word

In DNA, adenine (A) always pairs with:

A guanine

B thymine

C cytosine

D uracil

Explanation

📌 Base pairing rules: A-T (2 hydrogen bonds), G-C (3 hydrogen bonds).
In RNA: A-U instead of A-T.

Question 6 of 10

TEKS 10A-10C Easy Word

Homeostasis is:

A the study of ecosystems

B the process of cell division

C maintaining stable internal conditions

D the classification of organisms

Explanation

📌 Homeostasis = maintaining stable internal conditions (body temp, blood sugar, pH, water balance) despite external changes.

Question 7 of 10

TEKS 6A-6H Medium Word Diagram

The diagram shows the process of DNA replication. What does the enzyme helicase do?

A Unwinds and separates the DNA strands

B Joins DNA fragments

C Adds new nucleotides

D Proofreads the new DNA

Explanation

📌 Helicase UNWINDS and SEPARATES the two DNA strands by breaking hydrogen bonds between base pairs.
This creates the replication fork where new nucleotides can be added.
DNA polymerase then adds complementary nucleotides to each strand.

Question 8 of 10

TEKS 6A-6H Easy Word

DNA is made up of repeating units called:

A nucleotides

B monosaccharides

C fatty acids

D amino acids

Explanation

📌 DNA is a polymer of nucleotides. Each nucleotide = phosphate group + deoxyribose sugar + nitrogenous base (A, T, G, C).

Question 9 of 10

TEKS 11A-12F Easy Word

In a food chain, which organism is the primary consumer?

A Eagle

B Rabbit

C Fox

D Grass

Explanation

📌 Primary consumer = herbivore = eats producers (plants).
Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary consumers → Tertiary consumers

Question 10 of 10

TEKS 6A-6H Medium Word Diagram

The diagram shows the central dogma of molecular biology. What process occurs at step 2?

A Replication

B Transcription

C Translation

D Mutation

Explanation

📌 Central Dogma: DNA → mRNA → Protein
Step 1 = Transcription (DNA → mRNA, in nucleus)
Step 2 = Translation (mRNA → Protein, at ribosomes)

mRNA carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome where proteins are assembled.

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