MTEL Biology case studies
MTEL Biology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The MTEL Biology (13) is a Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure subject-matter test, one of the assessments the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education uses to confirm that candidates for PreK–grade 12 academic licenses are knowledgeable in the subject matter of the license they seek. It is aimed at prospective biology teachers who must demonstrate subject-matter competence alongside the communication and literacy requirement. The test is delivered as a computer-based test and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions plus 2 open-response assignments; at least one assignment is handwritten and scanned, so candidates should review the scanning instructions and tutorial before test day. The total appointment time is 4 hours and 15 minutes, which includes 15 minutes for the CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement and 4 hours of testing time. The MTEL Biology case studies are 5 cases and about 3,537 words.
1Confounded Catalase Kinetics
During a 90-minute laboratory block, students measure catalase activity in potato tissue by collecting oxygen gas in an inverted graduated cylinder. Each group receives five potato discs cut with a 5 mm cork borer and 3.0% hydrogen peroxide.
802 words, about 4 min2Pedigree With an Unaffected Sister
A family seeks genetic counseling. The proband, a 24-year-old woman, has progressive exercise intolerance with lactic acidosis and mild muscle weakness.
580 words, about 3 min3Stream Bioassessment Below an Outfall
A high school ecology class compares two riffles in the same river 3 km apart. Site A is upstream of a wastewater treatment plant outfall; site B is 500 m downstream.
718 words, about 4 min4Glucose Tolerance Test Interpretation
A 52-year-old patient with a BMI of 31 reports fatigue and increased thirst. Fasting glucose is 118 mg/dL and fasting insulin is elevated at 22 µU/mL.
713 words, about 4 min5Serial Passage and the Origin of Resistance
A student performs serial passage of Escherichia coli K-12 for 12 transfers, each 24 hours, in LB broth containing ampicillin. The ampicillin concentration doubles every two transfers, from 2 µg/mL to 128 µg/mL.
724 words, about 4 min