Natural Selection and Adaptation

Use the dichotomous key to identify fish w

• trumpet fish
• spotted eagle ray
• spotted goat fish
• glass eye snapper

Use the dichotomous key to identify fish x

• trumpet fish
• spotted eagle ray
• spotted goat fish
• glass eye snapper

Use the dichotomous key to identify fish y

• trumpet fish
• spotted eagle ray
• spotted goat fish
• glass eye snapper

Use the dichotomous key to identify fish z

• trumpet fish
• spotted eagle ray
• spotted goat fish
• glass eye snapper

The rat snake is found in a wide array of environments. They are found in woods, along the coast, in cities, and in mountains. They eat rats, birds, mice, and squirrels. Rat snake populations in these different environments often have varied colors and markings. There are gray ones, yellow ones, black ones, and mixes of these colors, depending on where they live. Which of the following best explains the differences in colors and markings of the rat snake?

• Rat snakes can choose to change their coloring to match the environment theyare in to avoid predators and catch prey more easily.
• Rat snakes with coloring and markings that helped them blend into their uniqueenvironment avoided predators and survived to reproduce.
• Rat snakes began eating different types of food depending on where they live.This changed their appearance over time.
• The variation in the coloring and marking of rat snake populations is so that ratsnakes can recognize other rat snakes that live in the same area.

How can migration enhance the survival of organisms?

• Migration causes adaptations to occur more frequently.
• Migration helps organisms to avoid predators.
• Migration requires organisms to exert a lot of energy.
• Migration makes finding necessary resources more likely.

Over time, honey suckle flowers developed a sweet smell to attract pollinators. This is and example of _________

• selective breeding
• dichotomous key
• natural selection
• extinction

Over time, corn plants are bred to make larger corn cobs and kernels. This is and example of _________.

• selective breeding
• dichotomous key
• natural selection
• extinction

How have internal xylem vessels allowed plants to adapt to living on land rather than in the water?

• Xylem allow land plants to sense herbivores so they can release toxins through the vessels.
• Xylem allow land plants to transport water far above the groundto other plant structures.
• Xylem allow land plants to store water for long periods of time.
• Xylem allow land plants to make food internally without needing sunlight.

How might pockets of air in a bird's bones allow it to fly?

• They keep the bird very light.
• They produce helium for lift.
• They allow the birds to absorb more oxygen.
• They allow wind to flow through their bones.