A tree frog lives in trees in a tropical rainforest, where the weather often is warm and rainy. What most likely would happen to the frog if it were moved to a desert land in West Texas?

Which two traits best help a cactus conserve water in the dry conditions of a West Texas desert ecosystem? (5.10A)

Eagles catch fish in rivers with their talons. They fly with the fish to a tree branch and tear the fish into small pieces. Which bird most likely catches and eats it food the way an eagle does? (5.10A)

The ocotillo is a desert plant with long, straight branches. Its leaves are small and appear for only a short time after a rain. Most of the time, the branches of the ocotillo do not have leaves. Maple trees grow in areas where water is more abundant than in the desert. Maple leaves can be very large and are present for most months of the year. Ocotillo plants are better adapted for surviving in the desert than maple trees because the characteristics of ocotillo leaves--- (5.10A)

Most kangaroos have large, heavy tails, while spider monkeys have long, thin tails. Kangaroo tails are useful when the kangaroos are hopping and also when they are crawling around on the ground to feed. Spider monkey tails are useful when the spider monkeys are moving through trees. Both of these animals use their tails primarily for----(5.10A)

Many types of grazing animals live in Africa. The pictures show two of these animals that have about the same mass and height at the shoulder. Based on observations of the pictures of these animals, which statement describes an advantage that only one of these animals has in obtaining food? (5.10A)

The table gives information about four types of fish. These fish all have mouth structures that allow them to eat different types of food. Which of these fish has mouth structures that allow it to eat algae by taking large bites of the hard coral on which the algae grows? (5.10A)

Newly hatched chicks of many types of birds, such as parrots, are covered in soft, fluffy down feathers. These feathers contain many small spaces where air gets trapped. In some animal species, such a Arctic foxes, the fur covering the animal's body consists of hollow strands of hair filled with air. The primary role of the air trapped in the down feathers and fur is most likely to-- (5.10A)

This food web represents organisms in a field. What role do raccoons play in this food web? (5.9B)

The diets of several types of prairie animals are described in the table. Which of the following prairie food chains is in the correct order? (5.9B)

In a food chain, energy does NOT flow directly from-- (5.9B)

The food web shown is made up of organisms that live in a forest. Which change would most likely occur if all the producers in this ecosystem were removed? (5.9B)

A freshwater ecosystem has various food webs. One of these food webs is shown here. Which organisms transfer the most energy within the food web? (5.9B)

A food web for some organisms in an African rain forest is shown below. Which organisms in this food web eat only consumers? (5.9B)

A partial food web of a pond ecosystem is shown. Which type of organism is missing from this food web? (5.9B)

A partial forest food web is shown. In this food web, energy is transferred directly between--- (5.9B)

Many desert animals depend on the prickly pear cactus. What role does the prickly pear cactus play in a desert food web? (5.9B)

Big Bend National Park is located in the part of the Chihuahuan Desert that is in southwestern Texas. The table lists some of the types of animals that live in Big Bend and what they eat. Based on the information in the table, which of the following food chains shows one way energy flows in the Big Bend ecosystem? (5.9B)

This picture shows a type of plant called kudzu. Kudzu is a fast-growing Asian vine that was introdued into the United States. Kudzu quickly uses available resources and can completely cover the plants in an area. What effect does the rapid growth of kudzu most likely have on an ecosystem? (5.9C)

Prairie dogs eat plants and dig underground tunnels. Prairie dog tunnels help break up hard prairie soils, and the animals' waste adds nutrients to the soil. In the past, large groups of prairie dogs lived in many parts of the U.S. Great Plains, but people have destroyed most of these colonies. Which of these will most likely happen when prairie dogs are removed from an area? (5.9C)

Wild Texas hogs, similar to the one shown here, are descended from hogs brought here from other countries. These wild hogs eat many different kinds of foods, including plants, fungi, and insects. Besides being very destructive to the habitats of other animals, how do wild hogs most likely harm other animals? (5.9C)

The nesting habits of four types of birds are described in the table. If all the dead branches and dying trees in a wooded area are removed, which bird's nesting habit would be most affected? (5.9C)

Data for four animal populations in a wooded area were collected before and after a shopping mall was constructed near the area. The graph shows changes in the populations. Which animal's food sources most likely increased after the mall opened? (5.9C)

Fertilizers used on farms near the coast can be carried to the ocean when runoff occurs during rain showers. These fertilizers can decrease the populations of fish and shellfish. Which other populations most likely decrease as a result? (5.9C)

Spanish moss is a plant that grows on the branches of tall trees. The moss obtains sunlight, water, and nutrients from the debris around the tree to grow. It also used by birds to build nests. How will the Spanish moss effect the organisms in the ecosystem?

In which example does a nonliving factor affect an ecosystem?

Scientists believe that over 70% of the world's fish species are now being killed faster than they can reproduce. What will most likely happen if people continue to fish at the same rate?

Which of the following would most likely result in a decrease in the population of insect-eating birds that build their nest on trees?

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?

Many birds, such as Eagles and hawks, have sharp claws, called talons, on their feet. Sharp talons help these birds interact with which part of its environment?

The picture show two views of a certain fish. How does the appearance of this fish most likely help it survive?

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?

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?

Some facts about birds called Cattle Egrets are listed below. Which of these facts best describes how these birds depends on other animals to survive?

Some facts about a bird called the painted redstart are listed in the box above. Which fact best describes one way this bird changes its environment to meet its needs?

A farmer is reading a nature guide to learn how to make changes to a pond so that it will attract and support wildlife. The guide gives the suggestion listed below. Which suggestions involves interactions between two groups of living organisms

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?

Green anole lizards are bright green reptiles native to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean islands. They can be kept in terrariums to study their behavior and how they interact with their environment. Which observation describes this anole lizard interacting with the living elements in its environment?

Many gardeners use red worms like the ones shown in the photograph to turn vegetable and fruit scraps into topsoil for plants. The gardeners build a worm farm in a large container lined in old newspapers and filled with moist garden soil. The worms eat about half their body weight daily in produce waste that can be used as plant fertilizer. The container for a warm farm needs to have a lid, but the lid must be left partially open because worms require which of the following in order to survive?

Everyday a farmer feeds its pig at 4:30pm but soon the pig starts coming and waits at the fence at 4:25 pm. This behavior is an example of........

Fox squirrels live in the trees of city parks throughout Texas. Each spring they build nests of twigs and leaves in the tops of the trees. Fox squirrels are often found near park benches, waiting to be fed by visitors. For fox squirrels, which of these is a learned behavior? (5.10B)

A scientist observes sea otters using rocks to break open clamshells. Which of these investigations would best help the scientist determine whether this skill is a learned or an inherited behavior? (5.10B)

Crayfish live in water and often hide under rocks or plants. They come out to look for food and will eat both plants and animals. Which of these is a trait that a crayfish most likely inherits from its parents? (5.10B)

The caterpillars of monarch butterflies eat milkweed leaves. Milkweed leaves contain sap that is toxic to many animals but not to monarch butterfly caterpillars. This sap makes the monarch butterfly caterpillars toxic to predators and protects them from being eaten. Which of these is an inherited trait of monarch butterfly caterpillars? (5.10B)

A farmer keeps bees to pollinate crops. The farmer makes several observations about the bees. Which of these observations describes a learned behavior? (5.10B)

A group of students made the observations listed in the table about the size, shape, and appearance of their hands. Which of the students' observations describe inherited traits? (5.10B)

For a science assignment a student was asked to observe some organisms and then make a table to classify the organisms' traits as inherited or learned. The student's table is shown. How many of these observations describe learned behaviors and how many describe inherited traits? (5.10B)

Some traits of living organisms are inherited, while some behaviors must be learned. Which statement related to inherited traits or learned behaviors is not correct? (5.10B)

A bright-red male cardinal comes to a school bird feeder every morning. Like other cardinals, this bird makes a sharp chirping sound as it hops around the bird feeder. Which of these is a learned behavior of this bird? (5.10B)