sample free-response question #1

Here is a double-stranded section of DNA: 5’-ATGTATCTAGAG-3’

3’-TACATAGATCTC-5’

Transcribe the DNA strand in bold (the “template strand”) into messenger
RNA, working from left to right, and write the resulting RNA sequence below:

AUG UAU CUA GAG (I put in spaces to make it easier to read the codons)

Translate the mRNA strand into a polypeptide chain using the transfer RNA
“dictionary” provided; write the resulting amino acid sequence down below:

Met-Tyr-Leu-Glu
 sample free-response question #2
You notice that there seem to be lots of squirrels on upper campus, but not very many
squirrels on lower campus. You immediately ask: why are squirrels more common on
upper campus than on lower campus?

A. Come up with two scientific hypotheses to address your question; list them below.
H1: There is less squirrel food (seeds) on lower than on upper campus.

H2: There are more places for squirrels to make nests on upper compared to lower campus.

B. Make a prediction from each hypothesis:

Prediction from H1: If I add seeds to lower campus, then squirrel number there should increase
(here’s another option: if I reduce the abundance of seeds on upper campus, then squirrel number there should
decrease)

Prediction from H2: If I increase the number of nesting spots on lower campus, then squirrel number should
increase.

C. Clearly describe an experiment that you could use to test one of your hypotheses
(either one, just identify the one you’re testing). Make sure to identify control and
experimental treatments, and the independent and dependent variables. Describe your
experiment as clearly as possible, using complete sentences!
To test H1, I could pick a few sites on lower campus where I can manipulate seed abundance (independent
variable). At some of these sites, I would do nothing (control treatment). At other sites, I would put out seed at
feeders (experimental treatment). After an appropriate time, I would count the squirrels present (dependent
variable). The prediction is that squirrel number would be higher at sites with feeders.