Science Test- Classification and Traits

Which of the following characteristics is used when determining whether to place an animal in the vertebrate group or the invertebrate group?

• Ability to walk on two legs.
• Presence of a spinal cord.
• Method of respiration.
• Flow of blood through the body. 

What question can be used to sort fish, like a bass, from amphibians, like a frog?

• Is the organism covered with scales?
• Does the organism eat insects?
• Is the organism able to move around?
• Does the organism lay eggs?

Using the table, which one of the following is a vertebrate?

• Grasshopper
• Iguana
• Jellyfish
• Spider

Which of the following questions could we ask to distinguish a mammal, like a spider monkey, from a reptile, such as a crocodile?

• Does the animal have four limbs?
• Does the animal lay eggs?
• Does the animal consume food for energy?
• Does the animal have a backbone?

Which one of these plants could be classfied in the same group as one of the plants in the table?

• Plant A: Does not produce seeds; has roots, stems, and flowers
• Plant B: produces seeds; has roots, stems and leaves, but no flowers
• Plant C: Does not produce seeds; has flowers, but no roots, stems or leaves. 
• Produces seeds; has no roots, stems, leaves, or flowers.

A student sees a turtle laying its eggs on the beach. Which of the following is an example of a question the student could ask to decide whether this is a learned behavior or an instinct?

• How long does it take for turtles to lay their eggs on the beach?
• Does the turtle have to see other turtles laying eggs on the beach to know to do that?
• Do other turtles also lay their eggs on the same beach at the same time?
• After laying the eggs, does the turtle remain on the beach to care for the newly hatched turtles?

All of the following can be inherited by the offspring of an apple tree, EXCEPT

• the shape of its leaves
• its broken branches
• its type of fruit
• its flower color

A student observes a tree that is shaped like a cone. What question would help this student decide if this shape is inherited or acquired?

• Do all trees of this kind have the same cone shape?
• Are there more birds in the cone-shaped tree?
• Does this cone-shaped tree produce seeds?
• Is there a water source close to the cone-shaped tree?

A group of students watches sea lions on some rocks. They hear the sea lions barking loudly. Which of the following is the best question to ask to help them figure out if barking is an instinct or a learned behavior?

• Does the barking help them find more food?
• Do baby sea lions bark from the time they are born?
• Do other kinds of ocean animals make a similar sound?
• Does the barking mean there is a predator nearby?

The characteristics of a dolphin are shown in the illustration. The dolphin inherited all of these characteristics from its parents EXCEPT—

• its blowhole for beathing
• its scars from the motor boat
• its long, rounded snout
• its broad, flat tail