Plant Adaptations

Compare the adaptations of two types of plants: plants with thorns and plants with large leaves. Why might some plants have thorns while others have large leaves?

• Plants with thorns stay safe from animals that want to eat them, while plants with large leaves can capture more sunlight for photosynthesis.

• Plants with thorns attract insects that spread pollen, while plants with large leaves provide shade for the plant.

• Plants with thorns take in nutrients from the air, while plants with large leaves attract animals to eat them.

• Plants with thorns provide shade for the plant, while plants with large leaves stay safe from animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Compare how desert plants and aquatic plants use their roots to anchor to the soil and obtain water and nutrients. Which adaptation is most effective for each environment?

• Desert plants have deep roots to reach underground water, while aquatic plants have shallow, spreading roots to anchor in soft soil.

• Desert plants have shallow roots to absorb surface water, while aquatic plants have deep roots to reach underground water.

• Both desert and aquatic plants have identical root systems for anchoring and water absorption.

• Desert plants do not use roots for anchoring, while aquatic plants rely on leaves for anchoring.

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-1

Compare the adaptations of a rose and a cactus that help them survive and avoid being eaten by large animals.
Which adaptation of a rose helps it grow without being eaten by large animals?

• flowers with bright colors

• sharp thorns

• small seeds

• deep roots

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Which plant part helps cacti survive in the desert by storing water, and which plant part helps water lilies float on water?

• Roots and stems

• Stems and leaves

• Leaves and flowers

• Flowers and seeds

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Compare the root adaptations of desert plants and rainforest plants. Which adaptation helps both types of plants survive in their environments?

• absorb sunlight

• start photosynthesis

• pull nutrients from the soil

• turn gray when they get old

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Many plants develop special adaptations to protect themselves from being eaten by animals. Compare the adaptations of two types of plants: one plant uses thorns to keep animals away, while another plant uses chemicals that make its leaves taste bad. Which adaptation is shown in the image above?

• berries

• thorns

• vines

• fruit

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Plants have different needs depending on where they live. Compare the adaptations of a cactus found in the desert and a fern found in the rainforest. How do their adaptations help them survive in their environments?

• Cactus stores water, fern does not

• Fern stores water, cactus does not

• Both store water

• Neither stores water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Some plants rely on insects and birds to help them pollinate and reproduce, while others rely on the wind. Compare the adaptations of plants that attract insects and birds with those that rely on wind for pollination. Which adaptation would help a plant attract more insects?

• bright flowers

• green leaves

• sharp thorns

• tall stem

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Compare the adaptations of two types of plants: a tree and a flower. Which plant structure supports each plant so it does not fall over?

• seed

• leaves

• roots

• flowers

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-1

Compare the adaptations of two types of plants: One plant has small leaves, and another has large leaves. How might small leaves help a tree survive in a windy environment?  Small leaves---

• don't tear easily in the wind

• attract lots of birds to live in the tree

• can take in lots of sunlight