Science Unit 15 Interdependency and Environmental Changes

A prickly pear cactus is shown below. The roots of the prickly pear cactus spread out a wide underground network in sandy soil. How does this type of root system allow the a prickly pear cactus to survive in the desert ecosystem?

• By producing fruit and storing water

• By capturing sunlight and getting rid of waste materials

• By absorbing water and supporting the plant in loose, sandy soil

• By releasing nutrients into the sandy soil and taking in oxygen

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Some facts about birds called cattle egrets are listed below. Which of these facts best describes how these birds depend on other animals to survive?

• Fact 1

• Fact 2

• Fact 3

• Fact 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Some beetles break down the remains of dead animals. Some mushrooms break down the remains of dead trees. Which of these actions are the MOST beneficial for plants?

• Returning nutrients to the soil

• Releasing oxygen into the air

• Making space for new animals

• Decreasing the population of herbivores

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Some facts about a bird called the Painted Redstart are listed in the box shown below. Which fact best describes one way this bird changes its environment to meet its needs?

• Fact 1

• Fact 2

• Fact 3

• Fact 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

In fall and winter, many trees lose their leaves in response to cooler temperatures and -

• a decrease in average wind speed

• fewer hours of daylight.

• an increase in humidity.

• more direct sunlight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Crayfish live in freshwater and often hide under rocks or plants. They have very large claws, an exoskeleton for protection, and antennae that act as sensors. They come out to look for food and will eat both plants and animals. How does the crayfish interact with its living and non-living environment?

The crayfish depend on --

• water to find food and survive.

• other organisms for food and use rocks or plants to hide.

• their antennae to find food and their claws to grab food.

• the sun’s energy to produce food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which table shows the correct role of each organism in the food chain below?

SUN → Algae → Shrimp → Arctic Cod → Ringed Seals → Polar bears

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Prairie dogs eat plants and dig underground tunnels for shelter. Prairie dog tunnels help to break up hard prairie soils, and the animals' waste adds nutrients to the soil. In many parts of the U.S. Great Plains, people have disrupted the prairie dog’s environment through construction of new homes and buildings.

Which of these will most likely happen if the prairie dog’s environment continues to be disrupted?

• The population of predators that eat prairie dogs will increase.

• Due to construction, the population of plants that prairie dogs eat will decrease.

• The number of underground tunnels will increase.

• The nutrients in the soil will increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

In a food chain, energy does NOT flow directly from --

• producer to decomposer

• producer to consumer

• consumer to decomposer

• consumer to producer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The food web below is made up of organisms that live in a forest. Which change would most likely occur if all the producers in this ecosystem were removed?

• The mice would become the new producers.

• All the animals would either die or move away.

• The number of mice would increase.

• All the animal populations would increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4