7.11BC/.12A Pre-Assessment

A barrel cactus is a plant adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of a desert. Individual barrel cacti might vary in several traits. Which of the following variations would have the greatest effect on the ability of individual barrel cacti to survive in an arid climate?

• Color of flower petals

• Thickness of waxy coating

• Length of spines

• Number of seeds produced in fruit

Which internal structures of animals are specifically adapted to use contraction to cause movement?

• Blood cells

• Bones

• Glands

• Muscles

Several years of drought affect a population of plants in southwest Texas. Which of the following characteristics would you expect to see more frequently in the plants over the next several generations?

• Abundant broad leaves

• Waxy coating on leaves

• Flowers blooming regularly

• Tall, narrow stems

A table of physical traits of chickens is provided. A breeder records the average data on three generations of a chicken population that has been bred. For which trait is the breeder most likely selectively breeding?

• Heavier bodies

• Longer beaks

• More white feathers

• More abundant tail feathers

Illustrations of four antlers from four specimens in a population of moose, along with other data, are provided in the table. To support antlers, male moose must expend large amounts of energy stored up from food. All other factors being equal, male moose with which antlers are best adapted to survive a particularly cold and barren winter?

• Moose A

• Moose B

• Moose C

• Moose D