Day 9 - 8th Grade Science STAAR Review THMS

Using the chart below, what would most likely happen if this specific ocean region was overfished by humans? 

• decrease in the amount of algae
  
• increase in the shark population
  
• decrease in the activity of marine worms 
• decrease in the available energy from the Sun 

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In order for parasites to survive off of their host organism, they will need to be able to: 

• reproduce faster than their host
  
• become self-supporting by producing their own energy 
• fight off other parasites of their own species
  
• have a symbiotic relationship with their host 

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the organism that completes this food chain? 

• It derives its energy directly from the sun. 
• It has sharp claws or teeth.
  
• It depends on other animals for energy.
  
• It can move from one place to another. 

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Which does not describe a predator/prey behavior? 

• Dolphins working in a team to roundup a school of fish. 
• An eagle soaring above a field looking for a mouse. 
• A polar bear walking on the sea ice searching for a seal. 
• A barnacle attaching itself to a whale. 

In a rainforest, giant trees normally live for hundreds of years. However, when they do die and fall to the ground, hundreds of seedlings will compete to take its place. What adaptation is most necessary for a young tree to mature in this environment? 

• the ability to grow vertically at a rapid rate 
• the ability to establish a deep root system while growing at a slow and steady rate 
• the ability to retain water to survive in drought conditions 
• the ability to grow narrow, small leaves 

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Every spring, an ecologist records several environmental measures and is looking for a relationship to the deer population in a state park. Using her data below, what generalization can you make? 

• The deer population decreases with sudden spikes in temperature. 
• Deer are dependent on grass growing with ample rainfall. 
• Deer do not adapt well in cooler environments. 
• There was significantly more hunting in 2011. 

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Which of following is a possible research question for investigating the relationship between temperature and the population of different species of wildflowers? 

• How do late spring freezes affect the population of different species of wildflowers? 
• Do milder winters contribute to an increased population of certain wildflowers? 
• Both A and B are suitable research questions. 
• Neither A or B are suitable research questions. 

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A geneticist is investigating how a new species of tomato plant may be able to survive in different soil compositions. In his experiment, what factor(s) will be his variable? 

• soil composition
  
• amount of water
  
• intensity of sunlight
  
• all of the above will be an experimental variable 

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Conservationists argue that we should not kill every snake we see. What is the reasoning behind this argument? 

• Killing snakes will also decrease the population of their natural prey. 
• A decrease in the snake population will lead to an increase in more venomous reptiles. 
• The population of its natural prey, such as mice and insects, will increase. 
• The number of snakes is directly related to the coyote population. 

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A local farmer must annually apply weed prevention chemicals around his bean plants. Why do the weeds continue to invade the garden every year? 

• The weeds are a natural species and the seeds that land on the bare soil attempt to germinate every year. 
• The weeds attempt to enter into a mutually symbiotic relationship with the bean plants. 
• The farmer is not using the correct formulation of weed prevention to kill the weeds indefinitely. 
• Bugs attracted to the bean plants are carrying the seeds of the weeds into the garden.