Science Interdependence Among Living Systems

A student observing animals in a park records ways they interact with living and nonliving parts of their environment.  All of the following are ways animals interact with nonliving parts of their environment except:

• A turtle suns itself on a hollow log.
• A bird reacts to morning sunlight by singing.
• A rabbit eats grass near the edge of a pond.
• A spider crawls under a rock for protection.

Which of the following facts describes how one animal depends on another to survive?

• A penguin uses its webbed feet for swimming fast
• A cow causes insects to jump around as it eats grass from the ground.
• A bee fertilizes plants as it collects pollen.
• A tick attaches itself to a deer and feeds on its blood.

Which answer shows an organism obtaining energy without depending on another organism?

• A snake preys on rodents and small reptiles.
• A deer eats grasses, flowers, and vegetables.
• A pecan tree produces food through photosynthesis.
• A mushroom absorbs nutrients from decomposing plants.

Which of these living organisms is interacting with another living organism in the environment?

• A mole digs a tunnel in a forest meadow.
• A hummingbird drinks nectar from a flower.
• An white hare burrows in the snow for camouflage.
• A pelican skims the ocean surface.

Which of the following facts describes how an animal changes its environment to meet its needs.

• A beaver builds a dam in a stream.
• A bird hunts for insects and spiders on plant leaves.
• An eagle circles a lake for its prey.
• A black bear crawls into a cave to hibernate.

Which of the following is an example of competition?

• Cheetahs and lions survive by hunting antelope, warthogs, and hares.
• The cattle egret eats the insects pulled from the ground by grazing cows.
• A red robin's prey includes insects, worms, and berries.
• A butterfly pollinates plants as it drinks nectar from flowers.

Some mushrooms breakdown the remains of dead trees. Some beetles breakdown the remains of dead animals. How do these processes benefit most plants?

• They make space for new animals.
• They release oxygen into the air.
• They return nutrients into the soil.
• They decrease the population of herbivores.

Tropical climates have warm temperatures and abundant sunlight all year. What must be available for plants in these climates for plants to make their own food throughout the year?

• bees
• water
• decomposers
• shade

During the spring time, plants that have been dormant begin to bud (grow leaves) due to warmer temperatures and 

• an increase in humidity
• a decrease in direct sunlight
• an increase in direct sunlight
• fewer hours of daylight

Which of the following examples shows how one organism is dependent on another for survival.

• A bee collects pollen as it moves from flower to flower.
• A sea anemone attaches itself to a hermit crab to feed on its leftover scraps.
• A giraffe stretches its neck to eat the leaves off a tall tree.
• All of the examples are correct.