3 and 4 Mastery Check - Corrections

An organism has thick, warm fur to withstand the cold temperatures in its native environment. It lives in an underground burrow beneath a tall tree and comes out for food at sunrise and sunset. Which biome would this organism most likely call home?

• Taiga

• Chaparral

• Tundra

• Tropical Rainforest

Answer explanation

This organism lives in a cold Biome, under a tree. Both the Tundra and Taiga are cold biomes, but trees are typically found in the Taiga.

An organism grows in the sandy soil. Its large, fleshy structure and waxy skin allows it to hold on to water, a useful adaptation when rain is rare. It can survive long dry periods, hot days, and cold nights. This organism most likely lives in which Biome?

• Desert

• Tundra

• Tropical Rainforest

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

Answer explanation

Deserts can get as hot as 100^o F during the day and as cold as 25^o F at night. Cacti have a waxy coating that helps them hold onto water in these extreme conditions.

An organism lives in the top of a tall tree. In the Summer, it eats the seeds of the tree, and in the Fall it buries extra seeds to eat during Winter and early Spring. This organism most likely lives in which Biome?

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Tundra

• Tropical Rainforest

• Grassland

Answer explanation

Trees are found in both the Tropical Rainforest and Temperate Deciduous Forest. The Temperate Deciduous forest has all four of the seasons listed here.

An organism lives in a large group. The group walks for miles across open land, grazing on plants. It rains enough each year for the plants to grow back, but not enough to support any trees or shrubs. These organisms most likely live in which Biome?

• Grassland

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Savanna

• Tundra

Answer explanation

The words "grazing" and "grass" are related. The Savanna and Grassland are both possible answers. Grassland is the better response because it does not support trees.

An organism's natural habitat is in the Tundra. Where else would this organism be likely to survive?

• Taiga

• Desert

• Savanna

• Tropical Rainforest

Answer explanation

The tundra is a cold and frozen biome. the most similar biome is the Taiga, which is cold to cool much of the year.

An organism is taken from its native habitat in one tropical rainforest and moved to another tropical rainforest. This organism is:

• Non-native

• Both Non-native and Invasive

• Invasive

• Neither non-native nor Invasive

Answer explanation

Non-native organisms live in a different habitat from where they are originally from. Not all non-native species are invasive.

An organism is taken from its native habitat in one temperate deciduous forest and moved to another temperate deciduous forest. It reproduces rapidly, damages native plants, and spreads disease. This organism is:

• Non-native

• Both Non-native and Invasive

• Invasive

• Neither non-native nor Invasive

Answer explanation

Invasive species harm native ecosystems, human health, and or the economy. All invasive species are non-native.

Which of the following determines if a non-native species is also invasive? Select all that apply.

• Harms Human Health

• Disrupts the native ecosystem

• Damages the economy

• Consumes dead and decaying plants

Answer explanation

Invasive Species are harmful to human health, the native ecosystem, and or the economy. Decomposers break down dead and decaying plants, benefitting the ecosystem.

If the spotted lanternfly is invasive in Pennsylvania, which of the following are likely present in its original biome?

• Poor, sandy soil

• Moderate Precipitation throughout the year

• Mostly grasses with a few low shrubs and trees.

• A thick layer of Permafrost

Answer explanation

Pennsylvania is a temperate deciduous forest. These have moderate precipitation throughout the year.

How have humans introduced invasive species to an ecosystem? Select all that apply.

• Purposely, to solve a problem

• Humans never introduce invasive species to ecosystems

• Accidentally, when a non-native species escapes

• Accidentally, during shipping of goods and materials

Answer explanation

Humans have introduced invasive species in all three of the ways listed above.