A scientist collects data on three different desert tortoises. Below is a picture of a typical desert tortoise. They use their front legs to make deep holes (burrows) in the ground where they stay safe from predators. Tortoise | Length of Front Legs | Depth of Hole (Burrow) 1 | 5 inches | 4 feet 2 | 4 inches | 2.5 feet 3 | 4.5 inches | 3 feet What of the following arguments is best supported by the scientist’s data?

Alligators have highly sensitive skin. Parts of their skin have bundles of nerves that can sense very small changes in vibrations in their surroundings. An alligator then uses these changes in vibrations to detect its prey.

Many snakes have structures on their faces between their eyes and nostrils that let them sense the heat of warm-bodied animals, such as rabbits. Snakes rely on these sensors to help them hunt for prey. How do these heat-sensing structures support the overall system of the snake?

Dolphins have a sensory organ found in the forehead called the melon. It allows dolphins to use a process called echolocation to sense objects in their surroundings. They produce sound waves that are sent out in the water and then returned back to them. The dolphin’s teeth pick up the returned sound, which travels all the way to the brain. These sound waves provide information to the dolphin on how far or close, big or small, and fast or slow other objects in the water are. How does echolocation serve as an important part of the dolphin’s sensory system?

A science class is learning about catfish. Catfish are a type of fish usually found in the bottom of muddy or murky waters. They have two very small eyes, multiple pairs of barbels that act like whiskers around their mouths, and over 100,000 tiny taste buds that cover their entire bodies that allow them to taste their surroundings. They have forked tails and several fins for moving through the water. One student in class says that the most important sensory organs of the catfish are the eyes. Which is an argument that can be made against the student?

Elephants have a very complex sensory motor system. They have special cells that let elephants use their sense of touch. When there is motion or vibrations in the environment, pressure builds up and causes cells to change. This sends a signal to the elephant’s brain. These special cells are found in the elephant’s trunk, as well as in the elephant’s feet. How can these sensory structures in the feet help the elephant survive?

Scientists are studying two different animals. One animal hunts for prey at night, while the other hunts for prey during the day. Which of the following claims about how they see light is most accurate?

A science class is studying light. A student in the class claims that light is not necessary for the eyes to see objects, since some people can see in the dark. Why is this student’s claim inaccurate?

A student wants to develop a model that shows how the eyes see objects. He creates three possible models.

Your imaginary animal will need senses that take in information from its environment. Read the sentences below about the sensory process. Number them from 1 to 3, in the order in which they occur, where 1 = first and 3 = last. _____ Senses take in information from the environment. _____ The animal responds to the information. _____ The brain processes the information.

You will use what you know about how animals process information to design an animal that can survive under the conditions below: • The animal is nocturnal (it sleeps during the day and is awake at night). • The animal’s main diet mostly consists of fruits and berries. However, there are many poisonous berries in the animal’s environment that would be deadly if eaten. • The animal is prey to many different types of large predators. Now that you understand the conditions under which your animal must survive, you will choose body parts and senses that will be useful to the animal. Part A – Of the options below, which would be most useful to an animal that is nocturnal?

You will use what you know about how animals process information to design an animal that can survive under the conditions below: • The animal is nocturnal (it sleeps during the day and is awake at night). • The animal’s main diet mostly consists of fruits and berries. However, there are many poisonous berries in the animal’s environment that would be deadly if eaten. • The animal is prey to many different types of large predators. Now that you understand the conditions under which your animal must survive, you will choose body parts and senses that will be useful to the animal. Part B – Which best supports your answer to Part A?

What does the arrow in Step B represent?

Your imaginary animal must avoid eating the poisonous berries in its environment. These berries look, feel, and taste the same as non-poisonous berries. If you had to choose one of the characteristics below for your animal, which would you choose?

You want to choose a good place for your imaginary nocturnal animal to live. Which of the following is the best choice?