7.11b Adaptations in Nature

Why is the presence of a brightly colored, detachable tail an advantage for some lizards?

• They are more likely to attract mates.

• Predators are more likely to grab them by the tail.

• It helps them blend into their natural environments.

• Predators are likely to be frightened away by a brightly colored tail.

How is the survival of plants related to the form of seeds?

• Seeds must germinate away from the parent plant in order to have access to enough light and moisture.

• Seeds with unusual forms are not attractive to animals, so they are not eaten.

• Seeds are camouflaged within the parent plant so that they are not eaten by insects.

• Seeds are designed to germinate when the correct soil type is located.

Which of the following best describes an advantage of having a longer reproduction cycle and smaller numbers of offspring?

• There are more opportunities for offspring to produce genetic differences.

• Offspring are more developed at birth.

• Offspring receive only the most dominant genetic material from the parents.

• There are more offspring for predators.

Mice can produce a litter of offspring as often as every 20 days. An elephant can produce one offspring every two years. Which of the following BEST describes the advantage of having fewer offspring?

• There are fewer offspring for hungry predators to eat.

• Parents can pay more attention to each offspring.

• Offspring receive only the best traits and adaptations.

• Only one offspring will increase its survival rate.

An acorn is a seed. Its shape is very different from the shape of a dandelion seed. Which of the following BEST describes the advantage of the shape of the acorn?

• The acorn is more likely to stick to animal fur.

• The acorn is less likely to attract hungry animals.

• The acorn can be blown to a better growing location.

• The acorn has a higher chance of landing in a direction that will allow it to be successfully planted.

If an environment becomes warmer and drier over many years, which adaptations are MOST LIKELY to help plants survive this change? Select TWO correct answers.

• bright flowers

• stubby roots

• waxy leaves

• long stems

• deep taproots

Rabbits in most areas have a brown coat. The arctic hare has a bright white coat in winter. How does the arctic hare's white color help it survive?

• It makes the hare warmer during the summer.

• It helps the hare blend into its background.

• It makes the hare appear larger to predators.

• It helps the hare stay warm during the winter.

Students visiting a zoo see a poison dart frog. This bright red frog is about 2-centimeters long. It eats ants and other small insects. The poison dart frog secretes a poisonous chemical from its skin. It lives around green tropical plants. What is the advantage of this frog having a bright red color in a green environment?

• It helps it to hide among plant leaves.

• It helps it to sneak up on small insects.

• It serves as a warning to hungry predators.

• It prevents overheating in a tropical climate.

Most organisms have coloration that helps them blend into their surroundings. Male peacocks have colorful, feathered tails. These conspicuous tails are used for —

• building nests

• attracting mates

• flying and balance

• avoiding predators

Many plants use brightly colored flowers to attract insect pollinators. Which is the MOST likely conclusion about a plant that has very small flowers that are hard to see?

• It does not require a pollinator to reproduce.

• It does not produce seeds.

• It grows only in gardens.

• It does not want to reproduce.