5.10A Adaptations - Nyitrai 2

Which two traits best help a cactus conserve water in the dry conditions of a West Texas desert ecosystem? (5.10A)

• Large flowers and sweet fruit

• Sweet fruits and sharp spines

• Sharp spines and waxy stems

The whiskers of a river otter and the antennae of a cockroach are shown here. How do structures such as whiskers and antennae benefit organisms? (5.10A)

• They help the organisms detect their surroundings.

• They help the organisms eat food quickly.

• They help the organisms fight predators.

Eagles catch fish in rivers with their talons. They fly with the fish to a tree branch and tear the fish into small pieces. Which bird most likely catches and eats it food the way an eagle does? (5.10A)

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The ocotillo is a desert plant with long, straight branches. Its leaves are small and appear for only a short time after a rain. Most of the time, the branches of the ocotillo do not have leaves. Maple trees grow in areas where water is more abundant than in the desert. Maple leaves can be very large and are present for most months of the year. Ocotillo plants are better adapted for surviving in the desert than maple trees because the characteristics of ocotillo leaves--- (5.10A)

• allow more sunlight to reach the soil

• prevent the plant from producing flowers

• reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation

All of the following adaptations help plants, like the cactus, survive in the hot, dry conditions of a desert EXCEPT –

• growing tall over many years

• a thick, waxy outer covering

• the ability to store water

Many types of grazing animals live in Africa. The pictures show two of these animals that have about the same mass and height at the shoulder. Based on observations of the pictures of these animals, which statement describes an advantage that only one of these animals has in obtaining food? (5.10A)

• The Thomson's gazelle has a body shape that allows it to run faster when chasing prey.

• The Thomson's gazelle has horns that can be used to move tree branches out of the way to reach food.

• The gerenuk has a long neck that allows it to reach high to eat from trees.

How do adaptations help animals?

• To escape animals

• to hunt for food

• All of these are correct

The table gives information about four types of fish. These fish all have mouth structures that allow them to eat different types of food. Which of these fish has mouth structures that allow it to eat algae by taking large bites of the hard coral on which the algae grows? (5.10A)

• Parrotfish

• Koi

• Goby

What is an adaptation?

• A feature that helps a plant grow.

• A feature that helps a living thing survive.

• A feature that helps a living thing walk.

Some animals, such as lions, have pointed teeth, while other animals, such as cattle, have flat teeth. The difference in the shape of these animals' teeth is most closely related to--- (5.10A)

• the type of organisms the animals consume

• the sounds the animals make

• the habitat the animals live in