Regents Living Environment 5

Question 1

A species of bird develops a longer beak over many generations to reach nectar deep inside flowers. Which mechanism best explains this change?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection favoring longer beaks for survival

Answer

Natural selection favored birds with longer beaks that could access more food, increasing their survival and reproduction rates over generations.

Question 2

Which best describes the function of the cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

It controls which substances enter and exit the cell

Answer

The cell membrane is selectively permeable, regulating the movement of substances into and out of the cell to maintain homeostasis.

Question 3

Global warming is expected to cause the extinction of polar bear populations primarily because:

Accepted Answer

Melting sea ice reduces habitat and hunting grounds for polar bears

Answer

Polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting seals; as global warming melts Arctic ice, their habitat shrinks and food becomes inaccessible.

Question 4

Which best explains why identical twins have the same DNA but may develop different traits?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors influence gene expression differently

Answer

Environmental factors such as diet, stress, and experiences can influence gene expression (epigenetics), leading to different traits despite identical DNA.

Question 5

A scientist studying a lake ecosystem notes that phosphorus levels are extremely low. This phosphorus limitation would most directly affect:

Accepted Answer

The growth rate of producers in the lake

Answer

Phosphorus is a key nutrient for plant growth; low phosphorus levels would limit the growth of algae and aquatic plants (producers) in the ecosystem.

Regents Practice Test

Regents Practice Test

Regents Living Environment 5