Types of Adaptations in Organisms Major Grade

Which adaptation will likely occur in the population of tortoises 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 survive or reproduce.

Which terms are types of adaptations? Select all correct answers.

• physiological

• structural

• behavioral

• variable

The ptarmigan is a bird that lives in the Arctic Circle. It has adaptations to keep its feet from freezing.

Which is a behavioral adaptation that helps the ptarmigan?

• Unlike most birds, the ptarmigan has feathers on its feet.

• A ptarmigan's claws grow longer in the winter to help it walk on snow.

• Ptarmigans sit on their feet, covering them with feathers to keep them warm.

• Special blood vessels in the ptarmigan's legs help distribute warm blood to its feet.

A scientist mixes an antibiotic that kills E. coli into a gel and pours it into four plates. Bacteria are placed on each plate and kept warm. The results show that bacteria grew in plate Q because they had a ____________________ trait that allowed them to survive the antibiotic.

• behavioral

• structural

• physiological

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Scientists measured the density of cactus spines and the percent of plants that reproduced in three areas. Their results are in the table.

Which question were the scientists most likely asking?

• 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-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

A scientist studied beetles with different shades of green. The scientist concluded that green color helps beetles blend into leaves and avoid predators. The graph shows how beetle colors have changed over time.

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

Which of the following is not a structural adaptation that helps an insect survive?

• Dragonflies have 360-degree vision and can see both behind and in front as they fly.

• Moth wings have patterns that help them camouflage against tree bark.

• Mosquitoes have sucking mouthparts to pierce animal skin.

• Stick insects fall on their backs and act dead when faced with a predator.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

How do the wings of the Gentoo penguin and the legs of the common ostrich help them in their habitats?

• 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

Which adaptation affects an organism's actions?

• Behavioral

• Physiological

• Structural

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Which adaptation changes an organism's physical features?

• Behavioral

• Physiological

• Structural

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2