Answer Key for AP Biology

Practice Exam, Section I

Question 1: B Question 19: A Question 37: C

Question 2: C Question20: A Question 38: C
Question 3: C Question 21: B Question 39: D
Question 4: B Question 22: C Question 40: C
Question 5: B Question 23: B Question 41: B
Question 6: D Question 24: D Question 42: D
Question 7: D Question 25: A Question 43: C
Question 8: D Question 26: B Question 44: A
Question 9: A Question 27: D Question 45: B
Question 10: C Question 28: B Question 46: D
Question 11: B Question 29: D Question 47: B
Question 12: D Question 30: C Question 48: B
Question 13: B Question 31: A Question 49: D
Question 14: B Question 32: C Question 50: A
Question 15: B Question 33: D Question 51: B
Question 16: B Question 34: C Question 52: A
Question 17: D Question 35: C Question 53: D
Question 18: A Question 36: B

Question 121: Any value from 0.09 to 0.11, inclusive, or

Any value from 9/100 to 11/100, inclusive
Question 122: Any value from 5.0 to 5.5, inclusive, or
Any value from 5/1 to 55/10, inclusive
Question 123: 1131
Question 124: .0625 or 1/16
Question 125: Any value from 10 to 15, inclusive, or
Any value from 10/1 to 15/1, inclusive
 B

Free-Response Scoring Guidelines

The following contains the scoring guidelines

for the free-response questions in this exam.
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Question 1

In an investigation of fruit-fly behavior, a covered choice chamber is used to test whether the spatial
distribution of flies is affected by the presence of a substance placed at one end of the chamber. To test
the flies’ preference for glucose, 60 flies are introduced into the middle of the choice chamber at the
insertion point indicated by the arrow in the figure above. A cotton ball soaked with a 10 percent
glucose solution is placed at one end of the chamber, and a dry cotton ball with no solution is placed at
the other end. The positions of flies are observed and recorded every minute for 10 minutes.
(a) Predict the distribution of flies in the chamber after 10 minutes and justify your prediction.
(2 points maximum)
• 1 point for predicting the location of the flies in the choice chamber
• 1 point for justifying the prediction
(b) Propose ONE specific improvement to each of the following parts of the experimental design and
explain how the modification will affect the experiment. (4 points maximum)
• Experimental control
• Environmental factors
Proposed Improvement (includes but not limited to) Explanation
(1 point maximum) (1 point maximum)
Replace the dry cotton ball with a water-soaked Ensures that glucose is the
Experimental cotton ball. attractant
control
Constant light or temperature or duration of Other variables must be
experiment or time of day, etc. held constant

Proposed Improvement (includes but not limited to) Explanation

(1 point maximum) (1 point maximum)
• Use different concentrations of glucose
• Use different temperature(s)
• Use different light levels Attributes movement of
Environmental
• Use a different choice chamber (size/shape) flies only to glucose
factors
preference
• Vary duration of the experiment
• Vary time of day when experiment is performed

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Question 1 (continued)

(c) The experiment described above is repeated with ripe bananas at one end and unripe bananas at
the other end. Once again the positions of the flies are observed and recorded every minute for 10
minutes. The positions of flies after 1 minute and after 10 minutes are shown in the table below.

DISTRIBUTION OF FLIES IN CHOICE CHAMBER

Position in Chamber
Time (minutes) End with Ripe End with Unripe
Middle
Banana Banana
1 21 18 21
10 45 3 12

Perform a chi-square test on the data for the 10-minute time point in the banana experiment.
Specify the null hypothesis that you are testing and enter the values from your calculations in the
table below. (2 points maximum)
PART (c): CHI-SQUARE CALCULATION

Null Hypothesis: (1 point)

The flies will be evenly distributed across the three different parts of the choice chamber.
Expected (e)*
Observed (o) (o - e)2/e
(1 point)
End with ripe banana 45 20 31.25

Middle 3 20 14.45

End with unripe banana 12 20 3.2

Total 60 60 48.9

*Expected values must be those predicted by the null hypothesis provided in the student
response, add up to 60, and include no cells equal to 0.

(d) Explain whether your hypothesis is supported by the chi-square test and justify your
explanation. (1 point maximum)
• Correct explanation with justification of why the stated null hypothesis is rejected or not
rejected. Response must clarify each of the following:
o degrees of freedom (df) = 2 and p = 0.05 (critical value = 5.99)
OR
degrees of freedom (df) = 2 and p = 0.01 (critical value = 9.21)
o how the calculated test statistic compares to the selected critical value
o whether the null hypothesis should be rejected

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Question 1 (continued)

(e) Briefly propose a model that describes how environmental cues affect the behavior of the flies in
the choice chamber. (1 point maximum)
• Stimulus  Response
• Input (possible integration) Output

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Question 2

Color Wavelength (nm)

Violet 380–450
Blue 450–475
Cyan 475–495
Green 495–570
Yellow 570–590
Orange 590–620
Red 620–750

An absorption spectrum indicates the relative amount of light absorbed across a range of wavelengths.
The graphs above represent the absorption spectra of individual pigments isolated from two different
organisms. One of the pigments is chlorophyll a, commonly found in green plants. The other pigment is
bacteriorhodopsin, commonly found in purple photosynthetic bacteria. The table above shows the
approximate ranges of wavelengths of different colors in the visible light spectrum.
(a) Identify the pigment (chlorophyll a or bacteriorhodopsin) used to generate the absorption
spectrum in each of the graphs above. Explain and justify your answer. (3 points maximum)
1 point per box
Identify BOTH pigments:
Graph 1 = bacteriorhodopsin AND graph 2 = chlorophyll a
Explain that an organism containing bacteriorhodopsin appears purple because the pigment
absorbs light in the green range of the light spectrum and/or reflects violet or red and blue light.
The reflected red and blue light appears purple.
Explain that an organism containing chlorophyll a appears green because the pigment absorbs
light in the red and blue ranges of the light spectrum and/or reflects green light.

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Question 2 (continued)

(b) In an experiment, identical organisms containing the pigment from Graph II as the predominant
light-capturing pigment are separated into three groups. The organisms in each group are
illuminated with light of a single wavelength (650 nm for the first group, 550 nm for the second
group, and 430 nm for the third group). The three light sources are of equal intensity, and all
organisms are illuminated for equal lengths of time. Predict the relative rate of photosynthesis in
each of the three groups. Justify your predictions. (5 points maximum)

Wavelength Prediction Justification

(Group) (1 point each box) (1 point each box)
An intermediate level of absorption occurs at 650 nm
650 nm
Intermediate rate (compared to 430 nm and 550 nm); therefore, an
(1st Group) intermediate amount of energy is available to drive
photosynthesis.
550 nm The lowest level of absorption occurs at 550 nm; therefore,
Lowest rate the least amount of energy is available to drive
(2nd Group)
photosynthesis.
430 nm The highest level of absorption occurs at 430 nm; therefore,
Highest rate the greatest amount of energy is available to drive
(3rd Group)
photosynthesis.

NOTE: A student who combines two groups (e.g., “the 650 nm and 430 nm groups have higher
rates of photosynthesis compared to the 550 nm group”) can earn a maximum of 4 points: up to 2
points for the prediction and up to 2 points for the justification.

(c) Bacteriorhodopsin has been found in aquatic organisms whose ancestors existed before the
ancestors of plants evolved in the same environment. Propose a possible evolutionary history of
plants that could have resulted in a predominant photosynthetic system that uses only some of the
colors of the visible light spectrum. (1 point per box; 2 points maximum)
Proposal that includes an environmental selective pressure:
• Green light was being absorbed by aquatic organisms using bacteriorhodopsin.
• Unabsorbed wavelengths of light were available resources that organisms could exploit.
• Absorbing visible light at all wavelengths may provide too much energy to the organism.
• Absorbing light from ultraviolet wavelengths (shorter wavelengths = higher energy) could
cause damage to the organism.
• Absorbing light with longer wavelengths may not provide sufficient energy for the
organism.
Appropriate reasoning to support the proposal:
• Natural selection favored organisms that rely on pigments that absorb available
wavelengths of light.
• Endosymbiosis: chloroplasts evolved from cyanobacteria with pigments that used only
certain wavelengths.
• Genetic drift eliminated pigments that absorbed certain wavelengths of light.
• Mutation(s) altered the pigment(s) used by organism.

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Question 3

Fossils of lobe-finned fishes, which are ancestors of amphibians, are found in rocks that are at least 380
million years old. Fossils of the oldest amphibian-like vertebrate animals with true legs and lungs are
found in rocks that are approximately 363 million years old.
Three samples of rocks are available that might contain fossils of a transitional species between lobe-
finned fishes and amphibians: one rock sample that is 350 million years old, one that is 370 million
years old, and one that is 390 million years old.
(a) Select the most appropriate sample of rocks in which to search for a transitional species between
lobe-finned fishes and amphibians. Justify your selection. (2 points maximum)
• Selection: Rocks from 370 MYA sample.
• Justification: Transitional fossils are found between 380 MYA (when lobe-finned fishes lived)
and 363 MYA (when amphibians appeared) OR between different strata/layers in the correct
order.
(b) Describe TWO pieces of evidence provided by fossils of a transitional species that would support
a hypothesis that amphibians evolved from lobe-finned fishes. (2 points maximum)
Descriptions include but are not limited to the following:
• Bones OR specific skeletal structures
legs /limbs/digits
vertebrae
flat skulls
(interlocking) ribs
flexible neck

• Scales
• Teeth
• Other homologous structures
• Has traits of both the lobe-finned fish and the amphibian
• Finding the transitional fossils in the same area/same environment as either the lobe-finned
fish or the amphibian
• Molecular (DNA) evidence

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Question 4

Matter continuously cycles through an ecosystem. A simplified carbon cycle is depicted below.

(a) Identify the key metabolic process for step I and the key metabolic process for step II and briefly
explain how each process promotes movement of carbon through the cycle. For each process,
your explanation should focus on the role of energy in the movement of carbon.

Identification: 1 point maximum

I = photosynthesis / Calvin cycle

AND
II = (cellular) respiration / citric acid cycle / Krebs cycle

Explanation: 1 point each row; 2 points maximum

Role of Energy in the Carbon Output
Process Carbon Input
Movement of Carbon
Uses (light) energy OR Organic molecules
Photosynthesis CO2 is fixed ATP from light reactions
Organic molecules are Uses energy for cellular
(Cellular) CO2
hydrolyzed / broken processes such as growth
Respiration
down and /or ATP production

(b) Identify an organism that carries out both processes. (1 point maximum)
• Plant
• Algae
• Photosynthetic protist (e.g., Euglena)
• Cyanobacterium
• CO2 fixing bacterium
• Lichen (not fungus)

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Question 5

The table below shows the amino acid sequence of the carboxyl-terminal segment of a conserved
polypeptide from four different, but related, species. Each amino acid is represented by a three-letter
abbreviation, and the amino acid residues in the polypeptide chains are numbered from the amino end
to the carboxyl end. Empty cells indicate no amino acid is present.

Relative Amino Acid Position

Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I Val His Leu Val Glu Glu His Val Glu His
II Val His Leu Lys Glu Glu His Val Glu His
III Val His Leu Val Glu Glu His Val
IV Val His Leu Val Arg Trp Ala Cys Met Asp

(a) Assuming that species I is the ancestral species of the group, explain the most likely genetic
change that produced the polypeptide in species II and the most likely genetic change that
produced the polypeptide in species III. (2 points maximum)

Explanation: 1 point per row

NOTE: Specific names of mutation types are not required.
Species Genetic Change in DNA / Bases Result of Change to Polypeptide / Protein
mutation / substitution / point an amino acid change only at position 4 (Val to
II
mutation / missense mutation Lys)
mutation (e.g., substitution / insertion /
deletion / point mutation / frameshift
III termination of the polypeptide after the Val at
mutation / nonsense mutation) that
position 8
introduces a stop codon after the
codon for Val

(b) Predict the effects of the mutation on the structure and function of the resulting protein in
species IV. Justify your prediction. (2 points maximum)

Predicted Change Justification of Prediction

(1 point maximum) (1 point maximum)
Change in amino acid sequence of the protein starting at
Protein may have a different
position 5 could alter the overall structure or local structural
structure and a change in function.
regions, interfering with function of the protein.
Change in amino acid sequence alters the shape /
Protein may have a different
conformation / folding / binding region / regulatory region
structure and no change in
of the protein, but does not affect the critical functional
function.
region(s) of the protein.
Protein structure and function may Change in amino acid sequence does not alter the protein
not be affected. shape / conformation / folding and does not alter function.

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Question 6

The following data were collected by observing subcellular structures of three different types of
eukaryotic cells.
RELATIVE AMOUNTS OF ORGANELLES IN THREE CELL TYPES

Cell Type Smooth ER Rough ER Mitochondria Cilia Golgi Bodies

X Small amount Small amount Large number Present Small amount

Y Large amount Large amount Moderate number Absent Large amount

Z Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent

Based on an analysis of the data, identify a likely primary function of each cell type and explain how
the data support the identification. (3 points maximum)

Cell Identify Explain how data support identification

Type function (1 point each correct pair).
NOTE: No points for identification without explanation.
• Locomotion
Has cilia for movement and large amounts of mitochondria to provide
X • Movement / AND energy for locomotion of cell itself (ciliated protist) or movement of
surface particles (mucus /oocyte) along cell surface
transport
• Secretion /
exocytosis Has large amounts of rough ER and Golgi to produce and package
AND
• Protein proteins
Y synthesis
• Lipid/hormone
synthesis AND Has large amounts of smooth ER to produce lipids / hormones
• Detoxification
• Oxygen transport in animal cells
• Transport OR AND
• Water transport in plant cells
• Protection • Epidermal cells (stratum corneum,
OR AND Does not
cork, nails)
• Ground tissue (schlerenchyma) require
Z • Support OR AND
• Vascular tissue (xylem) these
organelles
• Maximizes volume / space available
• Storage OR AND
(hemoglobin, oxygen)
• No function OR • Is a dead cell/is undergoing apoptosis AND

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Question 7

In an experiment, rats averaging 300 g of body mass were tested several times over a three-month
period. For each individual rat, urine was collected over a three-hour period after ingestion of 10 mL of
liquid (water, 1 percent ethyl alcohol solution, or 5 percent ethyl alcohol solution). The volume of urine
was then measured, and the results were averaged for all individuals within each experimental group.
The data are shown in the table below.

THREE-HOUR URINE OUTPUT FOLLOWING FLUID INGESTION

Fluid ingested (10 mL) Water 1% Ethyl Alcohol 5% Ethyl Alcohol

Average urine output

3.5 3.8 4.7
(mL)

(a) Pose ONE scientific question that the researchers were most likely investigating with the
experiment. (1 point)
Appropriate questions include but are not limited to the following:
• How does alcohol consumption affect urine output in rats (or any mammal)?
• How does alcohol consumption affect regulation of the kidney?

(b) State a hypothesis that could be tested to address the question you posed in part (a). (1 point)
Appropriate hypotheses include but are not limited to the following:
• Alcohol consumption increases urine output in rats.
• Alcohol consumption increases water retention/reabsorption in rat kidneys.
• Alcohol consumption reduces urine output in rats.
• Alcohol consumption has no effect on urine output in rats.

NOTE: This point may be earned without earning the point in part (a)

(c) Using the data in the table, describe the effect of ethyl alcohol on urine production. (1 point)
• Alcohol consumption increases urine output.

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Question 8

The figure above represents a generalized hormone-signaling pathway. Briefly explain the role of each
numbered step in regulating target gene expression. (3 points maximum)
• Step 1 = hormone/ligand binding to receptor to initiate/trigger/induce signaling OR signal
reception
• Step 2 = an intracellular cascade that transduces/amplifies/transfers the signal from plasma
membrane to nucleus (or other cellular effectors)
• Step 3 = transcription/expression of target genes is stimulated/repressed

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