Test Prep CLEP Science and Mathematics Exam Questions
CLEP Science and Mathematics: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, College Algebra & Mathematics, Precalculus, Natural Sciences (Page 23 )

Updated On: 17-Feb-2026

Twenty-five ficus plants were placed in each of four closed containers and then exposed to light of specific colors as shown in the data table. All other environmental conditions were held constant for a period of 3 days. At the beginning of the investigation, the quantity of CO2 present in each closed container was 220 cubic centimeters. The data table shows the amount of CO2 remaining in each container at the end of 3 days.



Which of the following is best explanation for the fact that 200 cm3 of CO2, remained in the green light group after three days'?

  1. The plants absorbed a green light for photosynthesis.
  2. The plants reflected the green light and did not use it for photosynthesis.
  3. Carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product of photosynthesis.
  4. The green light was converted into other wavelengths as it was absorbed.
  5. Carbon dioxide built up as a by-product of cell respiration.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Objects in the natural world appear the color they do because of the light waves they reflect. Green objects look green to us because they reflect green light. Hence, green light should be the worst light for plants to use for photosynthesis, as shown in the experimental data.



Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a sex-linked recessive disorder that results in a degenerative disease of the muscles of the body. As muscles gradually deteriorate, patients lose the ability to control the muscles and eventually die as breathing muscles are rendered useless. An extended family was studied over several generations and the incidence of DMD was followed as indicated in the pedigree below.


Using the lower case letter d as the recessive allele for DMD, what is the genotype of the individual labeled "C" in the pedigree?

  1. XdXd
  2. XY
  3. XX
  4. XdX
  5. XdY

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Individual C is a male, as seen by the square on the pedigree. Males are XY to start, and if a sex-linked allele were present, such as the allele for DMD, it would be found on his lone X chromosome ­ thus, XdY.



Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a sex-linked recessive disorder that results in a degenerative disease of the muscles of the body. As muscles gradually deteriorate, patients lose the ability to control the muscles and eventually die as breathing muscles are rendered useless. An extended family was studied over several generations and the incidence of DMD was followed as indicated in the pedigree below.


According to the pedigree, one can conclude that

  1. Jancy is at least a carrier of DMD
  2. Jancy has DMD
  3. Jancy docs not carry any copies of the DMD allele
  4. individual "D" will have two copies of the DMD allele
  5. individual "D" will not carry any copies of the DMD allele

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Because Janey has had three children with DMD, she is at least a carrier of the disease. In particular, her son, individual "C" has the disease, so he must have gotten the disease allele from Janey, since his father could not have passed him an X chromosome.



Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a sex-linked recessive disorder that results in a degenerative disease of the muscles of the body. As muscles gradually deteriorate, patients lose the ability to control the muscles and eventually die as breathing muscles are rendered useless. An extended family was studied over several generations and the incidence of DMD was followed as indicated in the pedigree below.


If Janey were homozygous recessive for DMD, what are the chances that she and Jimmy would have another child who has the disease?

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
  4. 75%
  5. 100%

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

If Janey were homozygous recessive, all of Jimmy and Janey's children would receive X chromosomes carrying a DMD allele.



Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a sex-linked recessive disorder that results in a degenerative disease of the muscles of the body. As muscles gradually deteriorate, patients lose the ability to control the muscles and eventually die as breathing muscles are rendered useless. An extended family was studied over several generations and the incidence of DMD was followed as indicated in the pedigree below.


Males are more likely to express the DMD allele than females because

  1. muscles are generally larger and stronger in males than in females
  2. males have two X chromosomes and can get twice as many DMD alleles
  3. males have only one X chromosome and if passed even one DMD allele, they will express it
  4. sex-linked traits are not expressed in females
  5. the DMD allele is carried on the Y chromosome

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Males have only one X; therefore, if they get passed a defective X, they can only express those alleles. In contrast, females have two X's and can have a dominant, "normal" gene to override a defective one (e.g., one for DMD) on their other X.






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