Biology Leap 2025

Pond The Great Blue Heron is a carnivorous bird that can be found in Louisiana’s wetlands. They are expert fishers. Herons trap their prey by walking slowly or standing still for long periods of time. They wait for fish to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills. Their diets also consist of mice, insects, and other small creatures. The Great Blue Heron depends on the living components of its ecosystem and nonliving components like sunlight and air for growth and survival. Part B: Which statement best explains the model in Part A?

• All food can eventually be traced back to plants. Plants in the pond ecosystem captured energy from the sun.

• All food can eventually be traced back to soil. The soil provides plants the energy for the pond ecosystem.

• All food can eventually be traced back to dead organisms. Dead organisms in the pond ecosystem provide plants and animals with energy.

• All food can eventually be traced back to the sun. Energy from the sun shines on the earth and is captured by plants and animals.

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Question 9: Pond

The Great Blue Heron is a carnivorous bird that can be found in Louisiana’s wetlands. They are expert fishers. Herons trap their prey by walking slowly or standing still for long periods of time. They wait for fish to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills. Their diets also consist of mice, insects, and other small creatures. The Great Blue Heron depends on the living components of its ecosystem and nonliving components like sunlight and air for growth and survival.

Part A: Each organism in the pond ecosystem needs food. Choose the model that best represents how energy flows through the pond ecosystem.

• 
• 
• 
• 

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Food provides animals with the materials they need for body repair and growth. Food also provides animals with the energy they need to maintain body warmth and for motion. Arctic ground squirrels in Alaska are the largest of the North American ground squirrels. They are omnivores. They eat plants, mushrooms, eggs, insects, small animals, and even their own young! To deal with the harsh winters, they will hibernate. When animals hibernate they become inactive or “sleep” for an extended period of time. The Arctic ground squirrel hibernates for 7 to 8 months. When they hibernate, they lose a large amount of their body weight. Part A: Arctic ground squirrels will not hibernate until they have enough body fat. Why would this be an important behavior for the animal?

• This behavior will allow the Arctic ground squirrel the ability to fight for the best shelter.

• This behavior will help the Arctic ground squirrel find a mate.

• This behavior will give the Arctic ground squirrel more energy to find food and store it for emergencies during the winter.

• This behavior will help the Arctic ground squirrel maintain its body temperature during hibernation and move after hibernation.

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10: Arctic Ground Squirrels

Food provides animals with the materials they need for body repair and growth. Food also provides animals with the energy they need to maintain body warmth and for motion.

Arctic ground squirrels in Alaska are the largest of the North American ground squirrels. They are omnivores. They eat plants, mushrooms, eggs, insects, small animals, and even their own young! To deal with the harsh winters, they will hibernate. When animals hibernate they become inactive or “sleep” for an extended period of time. The Arctic ground squirrel hibernates for 7 to 8 months. When they hibernate, they lose a large amount of their body weight.

Part B: Which model best represents how the Arctic ground squirrel will get the food it needs to store body fat?

• grass -> caterpillar -> arctic ground squirrel -> sun

• sun -> grass -> caterpillars -> arctic ground squirrel

• arctic ground squirrel -> grass -> caterpillars

• caterpillars -> grass -> arctic ground squirrel -> sun

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Which type of scientist studies the human body, organs, and cells?

• geologist

• biologist

• meteorologist

• astronomer

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Which of the following is a characteristic of all living organisms?

• Ability to move

• Ability to perform photosynthesis

• Ability to reproduce

• Ability to grow

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The diagram shows two parent horses and their foal.

Which statements identify traits the foal most likely inherited from its parents?

Select the two correct answers.

• gray hair from its mother

• a white tail from its mother

• a solid hair color from both parents

• a spotted hair pattern from its father

• white hair on its face from both parents

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Sam found a figure of animal fossils in rock layers. Which claims can best be supported by the fossil record in the figure? Select the two correct answers.

• The type of animal that formed fossil Y existed for only 50 million years.

• The type of animal that formed fossil W existed for the longest period of time.

• The type of animal that formed fossil X was the last of the animals to die out.

• The type of animal that formed fossil Y died out more than 350 million years ago.

• The type of animal that formed fossil X could be found on Earth more than 300 million years ago.

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Amazon River dolphins live in groups of up to six dolphins. These groups help the dolphins survive. These are some things Amazon River dolphins do in groups: hunt together, take turns eating and watching for predators, make groups around their young to protect them, whistle and click to talk to one another. A student claims that living in groups helps Amazon River dolphins survive. Which evidence best supports the student’s claim

• The dolphins can see each other.

• The dolphins are able to swim faster.

• The dolphins can play with each other.

• The dolphins are able to protect each other.

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The life cycle of humans is similar to the life cycle of dolphins.

Based on their life cycles, how are Amazon River dolphins and humans alike?

• Both change shape as they grow.

• Both are born and then grow larger.

• Both develop bodies that help them swim.

• Both live in groups for protection from predators.