Adaptations

Which two traits best help a cactus conserve water in the dry conditions of a West Texas desert ecosystem? (5.10A)

• Large flowers and sweet fruit

• Sweet fruits and sharp spines

• Sharp spines and waxy stems

• Waxy stems and large flowers

Eagles catch fish in rivers with their talons. They fly with the fish to a tree branch and tear the fish into small pieces. Which bird most likely catches and eats it food the way an eagle does? (5.10A)

• 
• 
• 
• 

The ocotillo is a desert plant with long, straight branches. Its leaves are small and appear for only a short time after a rain. Most of the time, the branches of the ocotillo do not have leaves. Maple trees grow in areas where water is more abundant than in the desert. Maple leaves can be very large and are present for most months of the year. Ocotillo plants are better adapted for surviving in the desert than maple trees because the characteristics of ocotillo leaves--- (5.10A)

• allow more sunlight to reach the soil

• prevent the plant from producing flowers

• encourage the release of carbon dioxide from the stems

• reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation

Most kangaroos have large, heavy tails, while spider monkeys have long, thin tails. Kangaroo tails are useful when the kangaroos are hopping and also when they are crawling around on the ground to feed. Spider monkey tails are useful when the spider monkeys are moving through trees. Both of these animals use their tails primarily for----(5.10A)

• grabbing and holding their food

• supporting and balancing their body

• attracting the attention of other animals

• carrying their young

The whiskers of a river otter and the antennae of a cockroach are shown here. How do structures such as whiskers and antennae benefit organisms? (5.10A)

• They help the organisms detect their surroundings.

• They help the organisms eat food quickly.

• They help the organisms fight predators.

• None of these

Some animals, such as lions, have pointed teeth, while other animals, such as cattle, have flat teeth. The difference in the shape of these animals' teeth is most closely related to--- (5.10A)

• the type of organisms the animals consume

• the sounds the animals make

• the habitat the animals live in

• the type of predators the animals have

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--- (5.10A)

• dig deep holes for their eggs

• swim and dive easily

• blend into their surroundings

• hold their breath for several minutes

Many types of grazing animals live in Africa. The pictures show two of these animals that have about the same mass and height at the shoulder. Based on observations of the pictures of these animals, which statement describes an advantage that only one of these animals has in obtaining food? (5.10A)

• The Thomson's gazelle has a body shape that allows it to run faster when chasing prey.

• The Thomson's gazelle has horns that can be used to move tree branches out of the way to reach food.

• The gerenuk has a sharp, pointed nose for detecting the scent of predators.

• The gerenuk has a long neck that allows it to reach high to eat from trees.

The table gives information about four types of fish. These fish all have mouth structures that allow them to eat different types of food. Which of these fish has mouth structures that allow it to eat algae by taking large bites of the hard coral on which the algae grows? (5.10A)

• Parrotfish

• Koi

• Goby

• Seahorse

Newly hatched chicks of many types of birds, such as parrots, are covered in soft, fluffy down feathers. These feathers contain many small spaces where air gets trapped. In some animal species, such a Arctic foxes, the fur covering the animal's body consists of hollow strands of hair filled with air. The primary role of the air trapped in the down feathers and fur is most likely to-- (5.10A)

• act as a cushion to prevent injuries from falls

• decrease the amount of energy needed for running or flying

• provide a layer of insulation to help control body temperature

• supply oxygen to be absorbed through the skin for transport to the lungs