SAT II Biology E : Systems Biology
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Biology E
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Systems Biology
Which of the following contribute to the upward movement of water through the xylem and throughout the plant's tissues?
I. Transpiration
II. Adhesion
III. Cohesion
I, II, and III
I and III
I and II
III only
I only
I, II, and III
All three given properties contribute to water's motion up the xylem of a plant, as transpiration brings up the water through evaporation due to heat and sunlight. However, as water is a polar molecule and has properties of cohesion and adhesion, molecules of water stick together and resist forces that would push the water out of the plant. This dynamic is referred to as the cohesion-tension theory.
Example Question #2 : Systems Biology
In plant vascular tissue, ____________ is primarily used to transport water from the roots to the other organs of the plant, and ___________ is primarily used to transport nutrients such as sucrose to the organs of the plant.
dermal tissue . . . phloem
xylem . . . phloem
xylem . . . ground tissue
phloem . . . xylem
ground tissue . . . dermal tissue
xylem . . . phloem
The correct answer is "xylem . . . phloem." Water and nutrients move from the roots through plant stem to the rest of the plant. Stems are made from three tissues: ground, dermal, and vascular. Vascular tissue is primarily divided into xylem, which primarily transports water, and phloem, which primarily transports sugars.
Example Question #3 : Systems Biology
Which of the following glands is considered both part of the endocrine system and the nervous system?
Thalamus
Pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
Parathyroid gland
Thyroid gland
Hypothalamus
The correct answer is hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is made of nervous tissue and is a part of all vertebrate brains, placing it as part of the nervous system. It also secretes a number of hormones that directly affect the pituitary gland, affecting a large number of bodily functions. In this way, the hypothalamus connects the nervous and endocrine systems and is part of both of them.
Example Question #1 : Stomach Cells And Enzymes
Lipase and trypsin are secreted by what digestive organ?
Stomach
Large intestine
Salivary glands
Pancreas
Small intestine
Pancreas
Lipase and trypsin are enzymes secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum of the small intestine. These enzymes aid in the digestion of food. Salivary glands produce amylase in order to begin digestion in the mouth and the stomach aids in digestion primarily via stomach acid 
Example Question #1 : Nervous System And Action Potentials
Which of the following neurotransmitters is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system?
Glutamate
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
GABA
Serotonin
GABA
The correct answer is GABA. GABA is the primary inhibitor used to lower the activity of cells in the human central nervous system. Glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine usually increase the activity of cells, and acetylcholine can increase or decrease cell activity depending on what cell receptor is interacting with the acetylcholine.
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