5th Science STAAR: Category 4 (Organisms and Environments)

The picture show two views of a certain fish. How does the appearance of this fish most likely help it survive?

• Prey have little chance of seeing this fish as it approaches head-on

• The head-on view of this fish attracts predators

• The narrow body allows this fish to live in deep water

• Predators have a hard time seeing the side view of this fish.

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Some beetles break down the remains of dead animals. Some mushrooms break down the remains of dead trees. How do these actions most benefit plants?

• By returning nutrients to the soil

• By releasing oxygen into the air

• By making space for new animals

• By decreasing the population of herbivores

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A prickly pear cactus is shown. The roots of the prickly pear cactus spread out in a wide underground network. How does this type of root system benefit a prickly pear cactus?

• 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

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A student observes the following activities while walking in a park. Which of these living organisms was interacting with another living organism in the environment?

• Fire ant

• Blue jay

• Bee

• Hawk

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Green anole lizards are bright green reptiles native to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean islands. They can be kept in terrariums to study their behavior and how they interact with their environment. Which observation describes this anole lizard interacting with the living elements in its environment?

• The anole rested on one of the rocks and lifted its head toward the light.

• The anole climbed the plant and then ate a cricket off one of the leaves.

• The anole drank some water and then ran across the sand

• The anole jumped from the rock and scattered sand with its tail

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the trout's energy if transfered directly to the  

• leech and dragonfly
• heron and the kingfisher
• worms
• kingfisher and shrimp

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the function of this animal's brown hair

• to protect itself from preditors
• to help it eat food
• to blend into its environment
•  to escape from preditors

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cactus having thorns and a bull having horns is not an example of a 

• inherited trait
• learned behavior

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animals learning tricks and a child riding a bicycle are not examples of 

• inherited traits
• learned behaviors
• instincts

What do all food chains and food webs start with?

• primary consumers
• producers
• secondary consumers
• tertiary consumers