Types of Adaptations in Organisms Major Grade

Variations of traits within a population lead to adaptations. Which

adaptation will likely occur in the population of tortoises shown

over time?

• lighter shells

• longer legs

• longer necks

• bigger mouths

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

An adaptation is a trait that helps an organism to survive or

reproduce in its environment.

Which terms describe types of adaptations? Select all correct

answers.

• physiological

• structural

• behavioral

• variable

The ptarmigan is a bird that lives in the Arctic Circle. It has

several adaptations to help keep its feet from freezing.

Which is a behavioral adaptation that helps the ptarmigan?

• Unlike most birds, the ptarmigan has feath-

  ers on its feet.

• A ptarmigan's claws grow longer in the

  winter to help it walk on top of the snow.

• Ptarmigans sit on their feet, covering them

  with their feathers to keep them warm.

• Special blood vessels in the ptarmigan's

  legs help to distribute warm blood to the

  bird's feet.

A scientist mixes an antibiotic that kills E. coli bacteria into a gel,

then pours the gel into four plates. The scientist then places some

bacteria on each plate, and places the plates in a warm area. The

results of the experiment are shown in the image.

The bacteria were able to grow in plate Q because they had a ____________________ trait that allowed them to survive the

effects of the antibiotic.

• behavioral

• structural

• physiological

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Scientists study a population of cacti. They collect samples from

three areas and measure the density of the spines on the surface

of each plant. They also calculate what percent of the plants in

each area that were able to reproduce. Their results are in the

table.

Which question were the scientists most likely asking when they

designed this experiment?

• Are cactus spines structural, behavioral, or

  physiological traits?

• What is the average density of cactus

  spines on plants in this area?

• What traits help cactus plants to survive

  and reproduce in the desert?

• Is the density of cactus spines a trait that

  affect whether a plant can survive and

  reproduce?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A scientist has been studying a population of beetles. The beetles

are different shades of green. Some are lighter, and some are

darker. The scientist has concluded that the green color of the

beetle helps it to blend into green tree leaves, protecting it from

predators. The graph shows how the colors of the beetle

population have changed. The solid curve represents the beetle

population in the past. The shaded curve represents the beetle

population now.

Which best describes the scientist's study?

• Beetle color changes frequently over time.

• Beetles are able to adapt to a new environ-

  ment by changing their color.

• Color is an adaptation that helps determine

  if beetles survive or not.

• Beetles must be able to change their color

  in order for the population to survive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Insects are often prey for birds. Which is not an example of a

structural adaptation that would help an insect to survive?

• Dragonflies have 360-degree vision and

  can see both behind them and in front of

  them as they fly.

• Moth wings have patterns on them that

  help them camouflage themselves against

  the bark of trees.

• Mosquitoes have sucking mouthparts that

  help them to pierce the skin of animals.

• Stick insects fall to their backs and act

  dead when faced with a predator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

The defenses of two flightless birds that live in different habitats are shown. How do the wings of the Gentoo penguin and the legs of the common ostrich provide an advantage in their habitat?

• Allows them to find prey

• Allows them to escape from predators

• Allows them to control their body temperature

• Allows them to be camouflaged in their environment

What type of adaptation affects how an organism acts?

• Behavioral

• Physiological

• Structural

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

What type of adaptation affects a physical aspect of organism?

• Behavioral

• Physiological

• Structural

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2