Science Review

A bright-red male cardinal comes to a school bird feeder every morning. Like other

cardinals, this bird makes a sharp chirping sound as it hops around the bird feeder.

Which of these is a learned behavior of this bird?

• Having red feathers

• Eating seeds during the day

• Coming to the bird feeder each morning

• Making a chirping sound

Some traits of living organisms are inherited, while some behaviors must be learned.

Which statement related to inherited traits or learned behaviors is not correct?

• The ability of a figure skater to spin on ice is related to both inherited traits and

  learned behaviors.

• The ability of lions to use camouflage to hide in grassy fields is an inherited trait

  only.

• The number and type of legs a cricket has is an inherited trait only.

• The behavior of a dog guiding a blind person on a walk through a neighborhood is

  an inherited trait only.

A family takes a group picture in a park where bluebonnets are blooming. The family

notices that some of the blooms are white and others are blue.

The color of the blooms is most likely determined by —

• air temperature

• the age of the plant

• the types of consumers that eat the plant

• inheritance from parent plants

The shells of sea turtles are flatter than the shells of land turtles.. Sea turtles are also different from land turtles because sea turtles cannot pull their

head or limbs into their shell to protect themselves from predators. Instead, the head,

shell shape, and flippers of sea turtles help them escape from predators mainly by

allowing them to —

• dig deep holes for their eggs

• swim and dive easily

• blend into their surroundings

• hold their breath for several minutes

Arctic hares live in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. The Arctic hare’s skin is adapted to help the animal survive in cold places. Which animal's skin is also adapted for survival in cold places?

• 
• 

Nine-banded armadillos are adapted to defend their bodies against a predator with sharp teeth. They have had scales covering much of their skin. When frightened, the nine-banded armadillo can roll into a ball to protect the soft parts of its body. Which animal’s skin is better adapted for protection against a predator with sharp teeth?

• 
• 

What is one interaction of how organisms live and survive in their environment?

• grass supplying food to a rabbit

• a deer providing food to a shrub

• rocks and water eroding a hillside environment

• all of the above

Colorado elk need food, water, and air to sustain their population. Based on this information, what statement is true regarding the elk’s ecosystem?

• Elk lack dependence on living and nonliving components in 

       their environment.

• Too many factors limit the elk’s survival within their 

       ecosystem.

• Living organisms are independent of nonliving components 

       within the ecosystem.

• Living and nonliving components work together to keep the 

      elk’s ecosystem functioning.

Which of the following best describes one relationship between living organisms and another living organism in an ecosystem?

• deer grazing in a meadow

• fish using gills to breathe

• ants building a mound in soil

• moose drinking water from a pond

Which statement correctly describes the role of bacteria as part of a food web?

• Bacteria are decomposers that break down waste and 

       remains of dead animals and plants.

• Bacteria cause plant and animal illnesses which are always 

       harmful to the environment.

• Bacteria are predators which catch and consume their prey.