Organisms and ecosystems STAAR review

Some beetles break down the remains of dead animals. Some mushrooms break down the remains of dead trees. How do these actions most benefit plants?

• By returning nutrients to the soil

• By releasing oxygen into the air

• By making space for new animals

• By decreasing the population of herbivores

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A prickly pear cactus is shown. The roots of the prickly pear cactus spread out in a wide underground network. How does this type of root system benefit a prickly pear cactus?

• By producing fruit and storing water

• By capturing sunlight and getting rid of waste materials

• By absorbing water and supporting the plant in loose, sandy soil.

• By releasing nutrients into the sandy soil and taking in oxygen

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A student observes the following activities while walking in a park. Which of these living organisms was interacting with another living organism in the environment?

• Fire ant

• Blue jay

• Bee

• Hawk

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Animals such as elephants and walruses have tusks. How do tusks help the animal?

• Tusks help them swim.
• Tusks help them camouflage.
• Tusks look pretty to other animals.
• Tusks protect the animal when fighting.

The rain forest is very thick so not much sunlight reaches plants on the forest floor.  So some plants will -  

• have spikes to discourage animals from eating them. 
• climb on other plants to reach sunlight.
• have flexible stems to allow them to move easily with currents.
• be covered in hair to keep them warm.

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CHARACTERISTICS or BEHAVIORS that enable an organism survive in its environment

• adaptations

• ecosystems

• cells

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All of the following are examples of living things interacting with each other EXCEPT-

• birds preying on insects living in the grass

• squirrels spreading the seeds of trees by burying them

• fish eating plants and other smaller fish

• frogs sleeping in the mud at the bottom of the pond

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Birds sunning is the act of spreading out in full sunshine to expose feathers and skin to direct sunlight. The reason for the sunning is to maintain feather health. The interaction between the birds and the sunlight is an example of -

• Organisms interacting with living elements of their environment.

• Organisms interacting with nonliving elements of their environment.

• Organisms interacting with both living and nonliving elements of their environment.

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The yucca moth helps to pollinate the yucca plant. The yucca plant provides protection and food for the moth's larvae that hatch and eat some of the yucca seeds. The interaction between the yucca moth and yucca plants is an example of -

• Organisms interacting with living elements of their environment.

• Organisms interacting with nonliving elements of their environment.

• Organisms interacting with both living and nonliving elements of their environment.

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Josie likes to visit the park in her neighborhood to watch hummingbirds. Based on the beak of the hummingbird, what does it most likely eat?

• Fish

• Nuts

• Insects

• Flower Nectar

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