ged science and practice test

A a high school equivalency exam designed for individuals who did not graduate from high school but want to demonstrate they have the same knowledge and skills as a high school graduate

which sentence describes a difference between artificial selection and natural selection?
  • A. In natural selection, variation is heritable; in artificial selection, variation is not heritable.
  • B. In natural selection, there is differential reproduction; in artificial selection, there is not differential reproduction.
  • C. In natural selection, there is variation within the population of organisms; in artificial selection, there is no variation within the population or organisms.
  • D. In natural selection, reproductive success is driven by naturally occurring processes; in artificial selection, reproductive success is driven by human-imposed processes.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Natural selection occurs through naturally occurring processes where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary change over time. In contrast, artificial selection involves human intervention, where specific traits are chosen for breeding based on human preferences. Option A is incorrect; both types of selection involve heritable variation. Option B misrepresents artificial selection, which also involves differential reproduction based on selected traits. Option C is inaccurate as artificial selection can still involve variation within the chosen traits. Thus, option D accurately highlights the fundamental distinction between the two processes.

Other Related Questions

Scientists have estimated the mass of the object that caused the Tunguska Event at 5 x 10^12 kilograms (kg). If the object was a comet in which 1% of total mass was ammonia, how much ammonia did the comet contain? kg
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 5x10^10

To find the mass of ammonia in the comet, we calculate 1% of the total mass (5 x 10^12 kg). This is done by multiplying the total mass by 0.01: 5 x 10^12 kg × 0.01 = 5 x 10^10 kg. This calculation confirms that the comet contained 5 x 10^10 kg of ammonia. Other options may result from incorrect calculations, such as misunderstanding the percentage or misapplying the multiplication. For instance, using 0.1 instead of 0.01 would yield an answer ten times larger, while failing to convert the percentage to a decimal would also lead to an incorrect figure.
What is the relationship between the kinetic energy of the feather and of the hammer just before they hit the surface of the Moon?
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  • A. The hammer has more kinetic energy than the feather because it has a greater mass.
  • B. Both objects have the same kinetic energy because they fell with the same velocity.
  • C. The hammer has more kinetic energy than the feather because it will accelerate faster than the feather.
  • D. Both objects have the same kinetic energy because gravity pulls on both objects equally.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The hammer possesses more kinetic energy than the feather due to its greater mass, as kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 * mass * velocity². While both objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum, their velocities are equal, but the hammer’s larger mass results in higher kinetic energy. Option B is incorrect because, although they have the same velocity, kinetic energy also depends on mass. Option C misrepresents the situation; both objects accelerate at the same rate in a vacuum. Option D is misleading; while gravity affects both equally, it does not determine kinetic energy, which also requires consideration of mass.
What statement describes one or more needed changes to this experiment that would allow the experimenter to draw a valid conclusion?
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  • A. Salt water should have been used to make the ice cubes for the cup of salt water.
  • B. The time for ice cubes to melt should have been measured in minutes.
  • C. At the beginning, both cups should have contained the same mass of water at the same temperature.
  • D. The energy released should have been measured, not calculated.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C highlights the necessity for both cups to start with the same mass of water at the same temperature to ensure a fair comparison. This control eliminates variables that could skew results, allowing for a valid conclusion about the melting rates of ice cubes in different solutions. Option A is incorrect because using salt water to make ice cubes would not provide relevant data on how the ice behaves in fresh versus salt water. Option B is not a change that affects the experimental validity; measuring time in minutes is appropriate, but the key is ensuring conditions are equal. Option D suggests a measurement method change, but calculating energy based on temperature changes is acceptable in this context.
Why is the conclusion about gene variation among cheetahs from Sommer's research more valid than the conclusion from O'Brien's research?
  • A. Sommer's research was conducted more recently than O'Brien's
  • B. Sommer's research used a different population of cheetahs than O'Brien's
  • C. Sommer's conclusion is about disease response, while O'Brien's is about skin grafts.
  • D. Sommer's conclusion is based on examining the genes, while O'Brien's conclusion is based on acceptance of a skin graft.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Sommer's conclusion is more valid as it directly examines gene variation, providing a clearer understanding of genetic factors influencing traits. This direct analysis allows for more reliable insights into gene functionality. In contrast, O'Brien's research focuses on skin graft acceptance, which, while informative, does not provide the same depth of genetic examination. Option A is incorrect as recency does not inherently validate research findings. Option B is misleading; differing populations may affect findings but do not necessarily validate one conclusion over another. Option C misrepresents the focus of the studies; both are relevant but differ in application rather than validity.