Living and Nonliving Elements

Which observation in a forest involves an interaction between two groups of living organisms?

• Termites live in a decaying log

• Plants provide food for wildlife

• A snake suns itself on a rock

• Trees grow next to a creek

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which living organisms get energy without relying on another organism?

• Mushrooms capture and digest worms

• Horses eat grasses, growing in a field

• Mice eat seeds, fruit, and insects

• Tomato plants perform photosynthesis

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Which of these describes one or more living organisms that depend on another living organism for survival?

• clover growing in the cracks along a sidewalk

• earthworms releasing carbon dioxide into the air

• bacteria living in the intestines of termites

• ivy plants growing on the side of a building

A student makes the following observations about a blue jay while sitting outside her house. Which observation describes a blue jay interacting with the living elements in its environment?

• Observation 1

• Observation 2

• Observation 3

• Observation 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which of the following adaptations would help a short plant survive in an environment where sunlight was limited?

• thick stems

• bright flowers

• shallow roots

• large leaves

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

An aquatic snail is pictured above. Some aquatic snails like the one shown have gills. Gills are important to the snail because they allow the snail to –

• absorb oxygen

• capture food

• avoid predators

• absorb carbon dioxide

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following interactions describes two living organisms competing for food?

• Lady beetles eat aphids, and aphids eat the leaves of plants.

• Raccoons are omnivores that eat smaller animals, seeds, and fruits.

• Deer and elk feed on leaves and stems during the winter months.

• Owls roost in trees, and they hunt for rabbits and mice.

Which of the following describes living organisms interacting with a nonliving element in its environment?

• Bees pollinate a dandelion flower

• Bacteria live in the human mouth

• Dogs drink water from a puddle

• Flies are caught and eaten by a spider

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Plants that grow in prairies and other grasslands often have very deep roots. In fact, most of these plants can actually be found underground. Having deep roots helps these plants –

• absorb water

• avoid grazing animals

• absorb sunlight

• capture prey

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A student observes the following activities during recess one day. Which of these organisms was interacting with another living organism around the student’s school?

• cat

• ant

• lizard

• blackbird

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3