Mock Staar Review

A table of arachnid and insect characteristics is shown. Which characteristic could be used to distinguish between
arachnids and insects?

• Jointed legs
• Body segments
• Presence of eyes
• Presence of antennae

A botanist discovers a new plant in the jungle. Which of the
following observations of the plant’s characteristics would be useful in determining its identity with a dichotomous key?

• It was discovered in the summertime
• It is wet from a recent rain storm.
• Its leaves curl up on the edges.
• It is eaten by native jungle ants.

When using a dichotomous key to identify organisms, what do we look at?

• physical features
• weather patterns
• environment
• diet

Using this dichotomous key, identity the name of the circled fish.

• band-tail puffer
• spotted goat fish
• peacock flounder
• trumpet fish

Chameleons are reptiles that have the ability to hide from predators and prey by blending in with their environment. They can change the pattern and/or color of their skin. This ability is known as --

• natural selection

• imitations

• mimicry

• camouflage

Which is NOT a feature of an eagle?

• strong claws
• good eyesight
• sharp beak
• webbed feet

The ears of this fox are an example of...

• A behavioral adaptation
• Poor breeding
• A physical adaptation
• Plastic surgery gone horribly wrong

The tundra is a vast plain with frigid temperatures and plenty of snow. Which of the following adaptations does not help the polar bear survive in the tundra.

• Layers of fat for insulation

• webbed toes for swimming

• white fur for camouflage

• total herbivorous diet

Where the better adapted organisms survive to pass traits along to offspring.

• Evolution
• Natural Selection
• Extinction
• Artifical Selection

Why are advantageous traits more likely to be passed onto offspring?

• Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Because they come from dominant alleles.
• Because they come from recessive alleles.
• Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.