Evolution
Reproduction, Genes, and Heredity
Genetic information is encoded in DNA molecules.
Item RH022006: Protein molecules help other molecules get in and out of cells and speed up chemical reactions in cells.
Evolutionary biologists study the proteins that organisms make because the traits of organisms depend on the proteins they produce. Which of the following are functions of protein molecules within cells?
- Protein molecules help other molecules get in and out of cells, and they speed up chemical reactions in cells.
- Protein molecules help other molecules get in and out of cells, but they do not speed up chemical reactions in cells.
- Protein molecules speed up chemical reactions in cells, but they do not help other molecules get in and out of cells.
- Protein molecules do not help other molecules get in and out of cells, nor do they speed up chemical reactions in cells.
- Distribution of Responses
- Points Earned
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 221 | 559 | 40% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 7 | 23 | 30% |
| 9–12 | 196 | 499 | 39% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 82 | 221 | 37% |
| Female | 116 | 300 | 39% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 197 | 516 | 38% |
| Other | 8 | 13 | 62% |
- Distribution of Responses
- Points Earned
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 123 | 281 | 44% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 8 | 18 | 44% |
| 9–12 | 100 | 229 | 44% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 57 | 109 | 52% |
| Female | 52 | 135 | 39% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 108 | 243 | 44% |
| Other | 3 | 9 | 33% |
- Distribution of Responses
- Points Earned
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 150 | 305 | 49% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 1 | 3 | 33% |
| 9–12 | 140 | 280 | 50% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 71 | 139 | 51% |
| Female | 73 | 150 | 49% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 139 | 276 | 50% |
| Other | 2 | 8 | 25% |
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS3.A Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits.
- Notes
- NGSS includes the idea that proteins can affect the structures and functions of an organism, but it is not specific about which functions of an organism proteins control.