What is an adaptation that a cactus has that helps to keep it from being eaten? How does this adaptation help the cactus?

Flowers often have bright colors and a distinct smell to them. What are some reasons for these particular characteristics?

-Needles are an adaptation on a cactus that serve as a defense. Predators are unable to eat a cactus because of these sharp needles.

List at least 3 characteristics that a lion has that help him to survive and explain how these characteristics help.

Answers can include: -Bright colors to attract pollinators (insects, birds, bats) -Sweet smell to attract pollinators. -Unpleasant smell to discourage predators. -Coloration that blends for camouflage.

Responses can include: -Sharp claws for catching prey. -Sharp teeth for tearing and eating meat. -Tan color to blend in with his surrounding (camouflage) -Strong legs for running fast to catch prey.

List three ways that seeds are distributed.

Responses can include: -Wind -Insects and birds feet (pollination) -Getting stuck to animal fur (burrs) -Animal waste

Think about the rainforest: What are at least 3 characteristics that an animal would need to survive in a rainforest and why?

Responses can include: -Bright colors for camouflage -Tolerance to rainy weather. -Tolerance to high humidity. -Balanced predator/prey relationship

A large shopping center is set to be built in an area that is currently wooded. In order to build the shopping center, the wooded area must be cleared. What are some ways that clearing this lot will change the natural environment?

Responses can include: -Habitats of birds would be destroyed -Habitats of woodland creatures would be lost and they would have to migrate. -Rabbits would no longer have a place to burrow. -Insects would have to migrate, adapt or die. -Many plant species would be destroyed.

A neighborhood decides to build a community park for all of the children to enjoy. Many people are excited about the park being built, but several people also think that it is a bad idea. What are some good things and some bad things about building a community park?

Responses can include (but not limited to): Positive Things: -Family have a enjoyable place to go that is close. -Physical fitness within the neighborhood could increase. Negative Things: -The park could attract outsiders, making the area more crowded. -People could get hurt on the equipment.

What are the four stages of complete metamorphosis?

1.Egg 2.Larva (caterpillar) 3.Pupa (chrysalis) 4.Adult

If the rabbit population in the food chain below disappeared, what would happen to all of the other living things in this chain?

If the rabbits disappeared, the wolf population would decrease because they would not have rabbits to eat anymore. The plant population would increase because the rabbits would not be around it eat them.

What is the relationship between plants and animals in the Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Cycle?

Animals take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

If a great number of trees were removed from a particular area, what would happen to the carbon dioxide and oxygen balance? Why?

If several trees are removed the percent of oxygen in the air would decrease. The amount of carbon dioxide in the air would increase.

What are some similarities in plant and animals life cycles? What are some differences?

Similarities: -Both begin with seed/egg -Both end with death Differences: -Reproduce differently -Plants don’t have mobility while animals do.

How does camouflage help an animal to survive?

Camouflage allows plants and animals to blend into their environment. This blending helps animals stay away from predators. When a predator cannot see its prey, it cannot eat it. It will also help animals catch food to eat because the prey will not be able to see the predator.

In what type of environment would a brown rabbit most likely be able to survive? What about a white rabbit?

Brown rabbits would best survive in a wooded environment with several places for it to hide. The brown coloration provides camouflage for the rabbits. White rabbits would survive best in a snowy environment. The white snow would help them to blend in which would help them to stay away from predators.

What is a niche? How are a hummingbird and a bee’s niches similar?

A niche is a job or role that an animal has within its ecosystem. A bee and a hummingbird both fly from flower to flower and collect pollen from the flowers. This pollen is spread throughout an area and pollination occurs.

What are some adaptive characteristics of a giraffe?

-Long neck to eat leaves from tall trees. -Spots for camouflage. -Long legs to escape predators Responses might include:

What are some traits that you inherited from your parents?

Responses can include: -Hair color -Eye color -Height -Size of ears, nose, mouth, etc. -Hairline or thickness of hair -Dimples -Skin tone

List some physical characteristics that a flowering plant might pass on to its offspring.

Answers might include: -Size of bloom -Color of bloom -Height of plant -Preferred blooming season/temperature -Shape of the bloom/leaves

What is a learned behavior? What are some examples of learned behaviors?

A learned behavior is something that an individual is not born knowing how to do. They must be taught before they are able to do it. Examples include: -Table Manners -Playing Sports -Speaking a language -Writing your name

What type of behavior is illustrated below? (Learned behavior or Inherited trait)

A dog catching a frisbee is a learned behavior. Dogs are not born knowing how to do this. They must be taught.