STAR Testing Study Guide

On Tuesday, May 6th all 10th grade students will take the STAR exam that tests students on their knowledge of the California Science Standards for Biology. In preparation for this exam, students will be given an opportunity to take a practice test on Monday, May 5th. Students who score an 80% or better on the practice test will be permitted to use this score for the content knowledge part of the final exam. Studying for the practice test is optional, but highly recommended. Students should use the following guidelines to help guide their studies.

Key Vocabulary/Concepts to Review (supporting words are in parenthesis and should also be studied)

Cell Biology(chapters 2, 7, 8, 9)

-prokaryotic cells

-eukaryotic cells

-viruses

-organic macromolecules

  1. polysaccharides / proteins (amino acids)
  2. carbohydrates / polysaccharides
  3. lipids/ fatty acids
  4. nucleic acids (nucleotides, DNA, RNA, deoxyribose, ribose, nitrogenous bases)

-cell membrane (semi permeable, phospholipid)

-nucleus

-enzymes (catalyze)

-pH (acids, bases)

-photosynthesis (chloroplasts, glucose, carbon dioxide)

-cellular respiration (mitochondria, glucose, carbon dioxide)

-cell specialization

Genetics(chapters 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)

-genes (nucleotide sequence, gene expression)

-chromosomes (autosomes, sex chromosomes – male versus female, karyotype)

-DNA replication (base-paring rules, semi-conservative replication)

-protein synthesis (transcription, translation, mRNA, ribosomes, tRNA, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, codon, anticodon)

-mutations

-genetic variation (sources of genetic variation, why it is needed)

-mitosis

-meiosis (crossing over, random assortment, gametes, sexual reproduction, fertilization, zygote)

-Law of Segregation (random assortment)

-Law of Independent Assortment (linked genes)

-Punnett Square (trait, allele, phenotype, genotype, homozygous, heterozygous, carriers, probability)

-Genetic Inheritance (dominant, recessive, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked inheritance)

-biotechnology (genetic engineering, recombinant DNA, transgenic organisms, restriction enzymes, ligase,
gel electrophoresis, cell transformation)

Ecology (chapters 3, 4, 5, 6)

-biosphere

-bio diversity

-ecosystem (habitat, community, population – the biology definition not the general definition)

  1. effects of birth, immigration, emigration, and death on population size

-biome (climate)

-indigenous species versus nonnative species)

-water cycle

-carbon cycle

-nitrogen cycle

-biotic versus abiotic resources (organic matter, competition for resources)

-food web (producers,consumers, decomposers)

-energy pyramid

Evolution (chapters 2, 15, 16, 17)

-adaptation

-evolution (natural selection, fitness)

  1. how do environmental changes affect evolution?
  2. What evidence exists for evolution? (including fossils)

-gene pool (allele frequency, population)

-extinction (mass extinction)

  1. how does genetic diversity help to prevent extinction of a species?

-Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

-genetic drift

-speciation (reproductive isolation, geographic isolation, episodic speciation)

Physiology(chapters 19, 35, 37, 38, 40)

-organ systems, organs, tissues

-homeostasis(feedback loops in the nervous and endocrine systems)

-cardiovascular system and respiratory system

  1. know the major organs for each system and how they move oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and cellular waste into, out of, and around the body

-nervous system (neurons, electrochemical impulses, sensory neurons, interneurons, motor neurons)

  1. know how the nervous system controls communication between different parts of the body and the body's interactions with the environment, inclulding its interaction with the muscular system)

-digestive system (know the major organs and digestive enzymes)

-excretory system

  1. know the role of the kidneys in the removal of nitrogenous wastes and the role of the liver in blood detoxification and glucose balance

-Immune System (infection, specific defense versus nonspecific defense, vaccination)

  1. Know the parts of the immune system, including the role of the skin, antibodies, phagocytes, B-lymphocytes, and T-lymphocytes
  2. know the main differences between bacteria and viruses, including their requirements for growth and replication, the body's primary defenses against each, and effective treatments against infections by each
  3. know the effects of HIV/AIDS on the immune system and how it causes death