Science Review- Grade 7

A researcher is studying three mammals found in North America: a black bear, a grizzly bear, and a fox. The black bear's scientific name is Ursus americanus. The grizzly bear's scientific name is Ursus arctos. The fox's scientific name is Vulpes vulpes. Based on this information, which two animals are most closely related?

• Black bear and fox

• Grizzly bear and fox

• Black bear and grizzly bear

• All three are equally related

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Scientists studying a pond ecosystem collected several green, single-celled organisms that move using flagella and can make their own food through photosynthesis. When examining these organisms under a microscope, they noticed the organisms were neither multicellular plants nor bacteria. Which kingdom do these organisms most likely belong to, and what ecological role do they play in the pond ecosystem?

• A. Kingdom Plantae; they provide habitats for fish

• B. Kingdom Protista; they serve as primary producers and food for small animals

• C. Kingdom Eubacteria; they decompose dead organisms

• D. Kingdom Fungi; they break down organic matter

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

There are approximately 113 species and subspecies of snakes in Texas. Why would it be important for scientists to use a standardized taxonomic system when naming each species of snake?

• To ensure that all species of snakes are located in the fossil record.

• To avoid confusion in the identification of a variety of snake species.

• To place snakes in various groups based on their habitats in the ecosystem.

• To determine the impact of removing one species of snake from their habitat in the ecosystem.

Read each sentence. Answer the question below. 1. Fungi are important to the ecosystem because they release nutrients for plants. 2. Bacteria aiding in digestion is the consequence of a mutualistic relationship. 3. Characteristics of the kingdom Protista: no body covering, presence of a cell wall, and motility. 4. Characteristics of the kingdom Plantae: lack of motility, presence of vegetation, and lack of a cell wall. Which statements are true?

• A. 1 and 2

• B. 1 and 3

• C. 2 and 3

• D. 2 and 4

Scientists are studying a simplified taxonomic classification for three animals: | Animal | Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | |----------|----------|----------|-----------|-----------|----------------| | Animal 1 | Animalia | Chordata | Mammalia | Primates | Hominidae | | Animal 2 | Animalia | Chordata | Mammalia | Carnivora | Felidae | | Animal 3 | Animalia | Chordata | Mammalia | Primates | Cercopithecidae| Based on the taxonomic information provided, which two animals are most closely related?

• A. Animal 1 and Animal 2

• B. Animal 2 and Animal 3

• C. Animal 1 and Animal 3

• D. All three are equally related

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A student is learning about taxonomic classification and organizing a collection of facts. Select the TWO statements that correctly describe principles of taxonomic classification.

• A. Scientific names use the organism's genus and species, with the genus name written in lowercase

• B. The more taxonomic groups two organisms share, the more closely related they are

• C. Taxonomic classification is based solely on physical appearance

• D. Each organism belongs to a unique genus and species

• E. The order of taxonomic hierarchy from most specific to most general is: species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain

A scientist collected samples from a hot spring where temperatures reach 80°C (176°F). Under a microscope, she observed single-celled organisms without nuclei that could survive these extreme conditions. These organisms play a role in cycling sulfur in the hot spring environment. Which kingdom most likely contains these organisms, and what characteristic allows them to survive in such extreme conditions?

• Kingdom Plantae; thick cell walls

• Kingdom Archaea; specialized cell membranes

• Kingdom Animalia; protective exoskeletons

• Kingdom Protista; multiple flagella for movement

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Students are analyzing an image of two deer-like animals in a grassy field—one with white spots and one with a solid brown coat. Based SOLELY on the visual evidence in this image, which taxonomic classification level CANNOT be confidently determined for these animals?

• A. Kingdom (Animalia)

• B. Class (Mammalia)

• C. Family (Cervidae)

• D. Species (such as Odocoileus virginianus or Cervus elaphus)

How does the kingdom Fungi contribute to ecosystems, and what is its taxonomic placement in the broader classification system?

• Fungi break down organic material, playing a key role in nutrient cycling. They belong to the kingdom Plantae.

• Fungi are important for nitrogen fixation and belong to the kingdom Archaea.

• Fungi decompose organic matter, returning essential nutrients to the soil. They belong to the kingdom Fungi.

• Fungi aid in photosynthesis and belong to the kingdom Protista.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A student is conducting research on mammals and comes across these scientific names: - Felis catus (domestic cat) - Felis silvestris (wildcat) - Panthera leo (lion) - Canis familiaris (domestic dog) Based on these scientific names, which statement is correct?

• Domestic cats and wildcats belong to different genera

• Lions are more closely related to domestic cats than wildcats are

• Domestic cats and wildcats belong to the same genus

• Domestic dogs and domestic cats belong to the same family

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2