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

Mr. Scott has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis. He reads the following information on medical websites. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that alters the body's ability to regulate iron absorption. Common symptoms include tiredness, joint pain, abdominal pain, skin darkening, hair loss, and weakness. Hereditary hemochromatosis is usually caused by a common gene mutation known as C282Y. But other mutations that cause this disease have also been Identified, including one known as H63D. A child who inherits two copies of a mutated gene (one from each parent) is highly likely to develop the disease. However, not all people who have two mutated copies develop signs and symptoms of hereditary hemochromatosis. People who inherit only one copy of the mutated gene are carriers, but usually have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms since one correct copy of the gene appears to adequately regulate iron absorption.
Which statement correctly summarizes this information?
  • A. Hemochromatosis is a dominant genetic disease caused by a single mutation.
  • B. Hemochromatosis is a recessive genetic disease, but is caused by a lack of iron.
  • C. Hemochromatosis is a recessive genetic disease, but the expression differs in individuals.
  • D. Hemochromatosis is a dominant genetic disease that can be caused by several different alleles.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Hemochromatosis is indeed a recessive genetic disorder, meaning that two copies of the mutated gene are typically required for the disease to manifest. Option A incorrectly categorizes it as a dominant disease, which does not align with its genetic inheritance pattern. Option B misstates the condition, as hemochromatosis is characterized by iron overload, not a deficiency. Option D also misrepresents the disease; while there are different alleles involved, hemochromatosis is primarily recessive, not dominant, making option C the most accurate summary of the information.

Other Related Questions

Sommer's research concludes that cheetahs have sufficient genetic diversity to respond to common diseases, but may still be at risk of new diseases. Which statement from the passage supports this conclusion?
  • A. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are used by the body to identify self from non-self...
  • B. The variation in MHC genes in cheetahs is still smaller than that for other big cat species but appears to be sufficient...
  • C. If any of the genetic factors are different, then the immune system of the individual...
  • D. Sommer's research determined how many alleles are present on two different types of MHC genes...
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B directly supports Sommer's conclusion by highlighting that the variation in MHC genes among cheetahs, while less than in other big cats, is adequate for their immune response to common diseases. This indicates sufficient genetic diversity for disease management, aligning with the research's findings. Option A discusses the function of MHC genes but does not address their variation in cheetahs, making it less relevant. Option C mentions genetic factors affecting immune response but lacks specific information about cheetah genetic diversity. Option D focuses on the number of alleles without linking it to the implications for disease response, thus failing to support the conclusion effectively.
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.
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.
Which hypothesis is suitable for this investigation?
  • A. Body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate depend on the health of the subject.
  • B. Many of the body's systems respond to exercise.
  • C. Body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate increase with exercise.
  • D. Subjects at rest have better health than subjects that exercise.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C effectively addresses the investigation by predicting a specific relationship: that body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate will increase with exercise. This hypothesis is testable and directly relates to physiological responses during physical activity. Option A is too broad, as it suggests a general relationship between health and various physiological metrics without focusing on exercise. Option B, while relevant, lacks specificity regarding the measurable changes in body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate. Option D presents a misleading comparison, as it contradicts established knowledge about the benefits of exercise for health.