Variation and Adaptation

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 is wind pollinated.

• It does not produce seeds.

• It grows only in gardens.

• It does not want to reproduce.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-4

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a viviparous plant. This means that seeds germinate into small plantlets while still attached to the parent plant. This plant also produces small white flowers on arching stems. The flowers develop into small seed pods and then the plantlets develop on the stems.

Being a viviparous plant is an advantage to the spider plant in which of the following ways?

• Grazing animals are not attracted to the small white flowers.

• The plant and the plantlets are not in competition for limited rainfall and light.

• The plantlets are genetically different from the parent plant and are not affected by the same insect or pesticide problems.

• The plants do not have to rely on animals, insects, or wind for pollination or seed dispersal.

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Percy lives in the city of Ocala in central Florida. This summer, he saw many birds at the feeders in his yard. He noticed that when the weather turned colder there were different birds at the feeders. Which statement best describes why there were different types of birds in Percy's yard?

• Some birds cannot survive in cold weather and must fly to other environments to survive.

• Insects and worms head south during the cold months, and the birds follow the food source.

• Birds never remain in one spot and are constantly moving to avoid being eaten by predators.

• Most birds cannot survive in warm weather, and only the strongest ones survive to see cold weather.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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A species of bird enters a desert environment, and is getting its water by pecking into the stems of cacti. Cacti with which of the following characteristics will most likely survive the damage from these birds?

• Numerous spines

• Deep roots

• A long stem

• A lot of branches

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

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.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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