Adaptations

Scientists studied a population of harvest mice living in a small area. Some mice have dark-colored fur, and some mice have light-colored fur. The graph below shows how the number of mice with each type of fur color changed over five years. 

Which of the following would explain the data in the graph?

• An environmental change reduced the amount of water available to the mice

•  An environmental change caused one fur color to be more visible to predators than the other.

• An environmental change allowed an invasive species to be introduced. 

• An environmental change killed off most of the plants that the mice eat.

The harmless scarlet king snake has adapted coloration similar to that of the venomous coral snake. Why is this adaptation helpful to the scarlet king snakes?

• The scarlet king snakes are better camouflaged.

• The scarlet king snakes can move in the grass more easily. 

•  Predators will not eat the scarlet kings snakes.

• Prey will not be afraid of the scarlet king snakes. 

Which statement best describes a way that trees impact the environment?

• They help clean the air in the atmosphere.

• They increase the amount of pollution in rivers and streams

• They remove water from the ground, making it easier for soil to blow away.

• They help reduce the amount of rain during each thunderstorm.

Some plants have leaves with a thick, waxy covering to prevent water loss through leaves. These plants do not lose their leaves in the winter. In which type of environment would you expect to see plants with leaves like this?

• Hot, dry areas

• hot, wet areas

• cold, dry area

• cold, wet areas

 Coral reefs are made in shallow tropical waters by tiny animals called corals. Each coral makes a skeleton, and over time these skeletons build up to make the coral reefs. What action can humans take to prevent the loss of coral reefs?

• Humans can add salt to the water near the coral reefs to help the skeletons grow.

• Humans can grow man-made coral and place it in the ocean.

• Humans can stop polluting water near the coral reefs with harmful chemicals.

• Humans can place skeletons of other animals near the coral reefs

Two groups of Persian cats were observed as they developed. The first group was raised with their mother, and the second group was raised apart from their mother and around dogs. Both groups were observed grooming themselves. Is grooming more likely to be a learned trait or an inherited trait, and why?

•  An inherited trait, because all cats have rough tongues that help them groom themselves

• A learned trait, because grooming is a complex behavior.

• A learned trait in the first group and an inherited trait in the second group, because only the first group was raised with its mother.

•  An inherited trait, because the cats in both groups groomed themselves.

 In Florida the fur seen on a red fox stays the same color all year. However, in the Arctic, the fur of an arctic fox changes to white in the winter. Which statement best explains why an arctic fox's fur changes but the Florida red fox's fur stays the same?

• Arctic foxes need to change color to better camouflage themselves in their environment.

• Arctic foxes need to change color to stay warm. 

• Arctic foxes need to change color so they can hibernate.

• Arctic foxes need to change color so they can migrate.

A scientist observing a group of chimpanzees using rocks to crack open seeds. She noticed that mother chimpanzees are helping their young to use rocks as well. What can the scientist conclude about chimpanzees’ tool-using behavior?

• Chimpanzees all use the same tools

• Chimpanzees learn how to use tools

• Chimpanzees can turn anything into a tool

•  Chimpanzees know from birth how to use tools. 

How would the growing season of plants in Florida differ from the growing season of plants in New York?

• The growing season in New York is much longer than the growing season in Florida. New York seasons are warm, while seasons in Florida are colder. 

• The growing seasons of both states are similar. This is because the climates of both states are similar.

• The growing seasons of both states are the same. This is because climate has very little effect on growing seasons. 

• The growing season in Florida is much longer than the growing season in New York. Florida's seasons are warm, while seasons in New York are colder.

During the winter months, there are fewer alligators seen in Florida than in the summer months. Why are fewer alligators seen in the winter months?

• They move farther north.

• They hibernate in burrows

• They use camouflage to hide.

• They go to live in deeper ocean waters.