Level 4 Mastery Diversity

Several fossils were uncovered in different layers of rock in a desert area. The following diagram indicates the age of the layers of rock and the fossils found in each. Based on the fossils found, this area was most likely once a

• lake that was replaced by a forest.

• forest that was replaced by a sea.

• a rainforest that was replaced by a forest.

• forest that was replaced by a grassland.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Fossils of the Coelacanth (sē′ lə kanth′) fish occur in the fossil record from 410 to 65 million years ago. The lack of more recent fossils led scientists to conclude that the fish went extinct along with the dinosaurs. In 1938, a fisherman caught a living Coelacanth. More than 200 of them have been caught on the deep reefs in the Indian Ocean. This fish has been called a “living fossil” because its body plan is nearly identical to the 400-million-year-old fossils. What does this structural similarity, evident in the fossil record, tell us about the Coelacanth’s environment?

• It has changed a lot.

• It has changed a little.

• It has stayed pretty much the same.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A rare, light-gray crab lived only near a certain tropical island during the early part of the 20th century. Those light-gray crabs can no longer be found. However, a much darker variety of the same species now lives near the same tropical island. Heavy industry came to the island in 1938 and began dumping sludge (dark-colored waste) at a very high rate into the bay where the crabs lived. From this information, which of the following best describes the adaptation at work?

• The light-gray crabs moved away from the area around the tropical island.

• The light-gray crabs are hiding in the darker rocks, and scientists have been unable to see them since 1940.

• The darker crabs were able to move much more quickly, so they survived by movement.

• The darker crabs could hide better and survived to reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Shown below are four species of finches, derived from a common ancestor. These species inhabit the same island. Which of the following best describes the appearance of these bird beaks?

• Predation by the larger birds on the smaller birds led to a decreased population of smaller birds.

• Competition for limited food resources led to an increased similarity among species.

• Predation by the larger birds on the smaller birds led to an increased fitness of the smaller birds.

• Competition for limited food resources led to an increased diversity among species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

How might the natural amount of variation within a population of starfish help the population survive a permanent change in its environment?

• It could allow some individuals the ability to restore the environment to its previous state.

• It ensures that some individuals in the population will be able to migrate or hibernate.

• It makes it possible that some individuals could have traits that help them survive to reproduce.

• It will allow some individuals in the population to make decisions that will guarantee their survival.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A population of rabbits lives in a forest. During the last several years, there has been little change in the number of rabbits in this population. Which of these would most likely cause the number of rabbits to decrease?

• a decrease in disease

• a decrease in habitat

• a decrease in competition

• a decrease in predation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A population of finches shows two beak types and three genotypes for the beak types. The finches' seed diet is also shown. The environment in which the finches live changes to be very rainy and wet. In this environment the large nuts and seeds are very scarce, but the small, soft seeds are plentiful. The bar graph depicts the original population. What will happen to each beak genotype if the environment continues to change over the next 100 years?

• All the genotypes BB, Bb, and bb population will stay the same

• All the genotypes BB, Bb, and bb population will increase

• All the genotypes BB, Bb, and bb population will decrease

• BB and Bb population will decrease and bb population will increase

Tags

OH.SCI.8.8.LS.3.a

OH.SCI.7.7.LS.2.c

Four different mammal populations contain varying numbers of individuals with a range of fur thickness. Which graph shows a population that would have the greatest chance of surviving a significant change in climate?

• 
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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A species of fish living in a stream displays variation in body color. Fifty years ago, most of the fish were light colored but a few were dark colored. Over time, the clear water of the stream became cloudy and the population of the dark-colored fish increased. Which statement explains why more dark colored fish were found after the water became cloudy?

• More of the dark-colored fish survived long enough to reproduce.

• The light-colored fish began eating the eggs of the dark colored fish.

• The dark-colored fish mated with other species of dark colored fish.

• More of the light-colored fish switched to asexual reproduction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The graph shows the relative genetic diversity of two related species. These two species live in different areas but have similar population sizes. Which statement correctly explains why one of the species is more likely to survive an environmental change?

• Species 1 because it has fewer genes.

• Species 2 because it has more genes.

• Species 1 because it has less genetic diversity.

• Species 2 because it has more genetic diversity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4