Adaptation of Species

In a population of desert plants, the timing of their blooming varies greatly. Some bloom early in the morning, others at mid-day, and others after dark. What environmental pressure might be an advantage for those plants that bloom after dark?

• There is an increase in the population of nocturnal pollinators.

• There is a decrease in the strength of solar radiation.

• There is an increase in herbivores that forage at night.

• There is a decrease in water for root absorption.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Xylem is a plant tissue made up of elongated cells stacked end to end the length of the plant's stem. Which function is xylem specifically adapted to perform in plants?

• Help prevent water loss

• Exchange gases with the atmosphere

• Capture sunlight for photosynthesis

• Transport water from roots to leaves

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Leopard seals are animals adapted to survive in the freezing conditions of Antarctica. Individual leopard seals vary in their different traits. Which of the following variations would give a leopard seal the greatest chance of surviving in its harsh environment?

• More spots on its coat

• Thicker layer of blubber

• More elongated head

• Wider, flatter teeth

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Mountain lions are large cats and the top predator in their habitat. A population of mountain lions may vary in several characteristics. If prey becomes more scarce, which variation would provide an advantage to the individuals that possessed it?

• A spotted coat

• Short fur

• Long legs

• Abundant whiskers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A farmer wants to increase the amount of food produced by corn crops. If the farmer selectively breeds the plants, for which trait should the farmer select?

• Taller stems

• Deeper roots

• Resistance to pesticides

• More cobs on plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Peppered moths often hide on white-colored birch trees because they are similarly colored. Which of the following environmental changes would lead to the enhanced survival of darker moths?

• Warm weather causes the birch trees to grow their leaves back early.

• Birch trees become covered in black ash from nearby factories.

• Heavy rainfall causes birch trees to grow taller than normal.

• Disease kills off more than half of the birch tree population.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A table of physical traits of chickens is provided. 

A breeder records the average data on three generations of a chicken population that has been bred. For which trait is the breeder most likely selectively breeding?

• Heavier Bodies

• Longer Beaks

• More WHite Feathers

• More Abundant Tail Feathers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Illustrations of four antlers from four specimens in a population of moose, along with other data, are provided in the table. 

To support antlers, male moose must expend large amounts of energy stored up from food. All other factors being equal, male moose with which antlers are best adapted to survive a particularly cold and barren winter?

• Moose A

• Moose B

• Moose C

• Moose D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A barrel cactus is a plant adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of a desert. Individual barrel cacti might vary in several traits. Which of the following variations would have the greatest effect on the ability of individual barrel cacti to survive in an arid (having little or no rain) climate?

• Color of Flower Petals

• Thickness of Waxy Coating

• Length of Spines

• Number of Seeds Produced In Fruit

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which internal structures of animals are specifically adapted to use contraction to cause movement?

• Blood Cells

• Bones

• Glands

• Muscles