Life Science Review #2 PM

A scientist lists the characteristics of an organism that he is observing. - It is multicellular. - It has cell walls made of cellulose. - It makes its own food. In which of these kingdoms should the organism be classified?

• Animalia

• Archaea

• Fungi

• Plantae

Answer explanation

The organism should be classified in the Plantae kingdom because it is multicellular, has cell walls made of cellulose, and makes its own food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Organisms can be grouped according to how similar they are to one another. Which list correctly shows the categories for sorting organisms from the largest group to the smallest group?

• domain, phylum, species

• genus, kingdom, species

• kingdom, domain, genus

• phylum, kingdom, domain

Answer explanation

The correct list for sorting organisms from the largest group to the smallest group is domain, phylum, species.

Scientists have discovered an organism with the following characteristics: - multicellular - needs to eat food - has a complex nervous system - is able to move from one location to another - growth occurs throughout its body In which kingdom is this organism most likely to be classified?

• Animalia

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Plantae

Answer explanation

The organism described exhibits characteristics typical of animals, such as multicellularity, complex nervous system, need for food, ability to move, and growth throughout the body, making it most likely to be classified in the Animalia kingdom.

There are millions of organisms on Earth that scientists have classified into different levels of organization. Which of these characteristics would be most important to scientists when classifying organisms?

• where the organism lives

• how small the organism is

• the genes of the organism

• the shape of the organism

Answer explanation

The most important characteristic for scientists when classifying organisms is the genes of the organism, as it provides crucial information about the evolutionary relationships and biological traits of the organism.

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Scientists who search for fossils often use the term transitional fossil to describe some of their finds. An example of a transitional fossil is Dimetrodon, which lived 280-265 million years ago. Dimetrodon had a lizard-like appearance but had a sail-like structure sticking out from its back that allowed it to regulate its body temperature, an ability that is found today in modern warm-blooded mammals. While Dimetrodon swallowed its prey whole like reptiles do, it also had different types of teeth, a trait also common to mammals. Which of these statements best explains how transitional fossils support the theory of evolution?

• Transitional fossils show traits common to ancestors as well as descendants.

• Transitional fossils show how the organisms' characteristics remain the same over time.

• Transitional fossils show how individual organisms can change their characteristics during their lifetimes.

• Transitional fossils show how populations of past organisms were not able to change their characteristics over time.

Answer explanation

Transitional fossils show traits common to ancestors as well as descendants.

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Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution describes how species evolve due to natural selection. Which of these is NOT evidence of natural selection?

• Camels have long, bushy eyelashes.

• Mint plant varieties are crossed to express desirable traits.

• The snowshoe hare is white in winter and brown in summer.

• Galapagos finches have stronger beaks after years of drought.

Answer explanation

Mint plant varieties being crossed to express desirable traits is an example of artificial selection, not natural selection, as humans are intentionally selecting and breeding for specific traits.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of these statements best describes the connection between biodiversity and evolution?

• The more biodiversity an area has, the greater the chances of new species arising.

• If biodiversity is high, then more predation will take place, preventing species from evolving.

• Without a lot of biodiversity, organisms are more likely to survive, so they have more time to adapt.

• Evolution depends upon low biodiversity to keep population sizes down, which increases numbers of genes.

Answer explanation

The more biodiversity an area has, the greater the chances of new species arising.

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An increase in carbon dioxide production has led to an increase in global temperatures, which is causing glaciers to melt faster. If this trend continues, how will animals living in the polar regions be affected?

• They will have to hibernate longer.

• They will be easier targets for predators.

• They will live in the water instead of on land.

• They will either adapt, migrate to other areas, or become extinct.

Answer explanation

Animals living in polar regions will either adapt, migrate to other areas, or become extinct due to the impact of increasing global temperatures and melting glaciers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The image below shows a food web in a Florida ecosystem. A new organism moves into the ecosystem and its major food source is the pine borer. Which animals in the food web will form a competitive relationship with the new organism?

• Fox and Hawk

• Kinglet and Fox

• Salamander and Kinglet

• Squirrel and Salamander

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Fox and Hawk because they both prey on the pine borer, forming a competitive relationship with the new organism.

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Imperial shrimp attach themselves to sea cucumbers for transportation. The interaction saves energy and improves food availability for the shrimp. The sea cucumber is not affected by the interaction. What type of interaction exists between the shrimp and the sea cucumber?

• commensalism

• competition

• mutualism

• parasitism

Answer explanation

The correct type of interaction between the shrimp and the sea cucumber is commensalism, where the shrimp benefits from transportation and food availability without affecting the sea cucumber.

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