Adaptations Post Assessment

In a population of desert plants, the timing of their blooming varies greatly. Some bloom early in the morning, others at mid-day, and others after dark. What environmental pressure might be an advantage for those plants that bloom after dark?

• There is an increase in the population of nocturnal pollinators.

• There is a decrease in the strength of solar radiation.

• There is an increase in herbivores that forage at night.

• There is a decrease in water for root absorption.

Xylem is a plant tissue made up of elongated cells stacked end to end the length of the plant’s stem. Which function is xylem specifically adapted to perform in plants?

• Help prevent water loss

• Exchange gases with the atmosphere

• Capture sunlight for photosynthesis

• Transport water from roots to leaves

Leopard seals are animals adapted to survive in the freezing conditions of Antarctica. Individual leopard seals vary in their different traits. Which of the following variations would give a leopard seal the greatest chance of surviving in its harsh environment?

• More spots on its coat

• Thicker layer of blubber

• More elongated head

• Wider, flatter teeth

Mountain lions are large cats and the top predator in their habitat. A population of mountain lions may vary in several characteristics. If prey becomes more scarce, which variation would provide an advantage to the individuals that possessed it?

• A spotted coat

• Short fur

• Long legs

• Abundant whiskers

Peppered moths often hide on white-colored birch trees because they are similarly colored. Which of the following environmental changes would lead to the enhanced survival of darker moths?

• Warm weather causes the birch trees to grow their leaves back early.

• Birch trees become covered in black ash from nearby factories.

• Heavy rainfall causes birch trees to grow taller than normal.

• Disease kills off more than half of the birch tree population.

A farmer wants to increase the amount of food produced by corn crops. If the farmer selectively breeds the plants, for which trait should the farmer select?

• Taller stems

• Deeper roots

• Resistance to pesticides

• More cobs on plant