Survival Structures
What do an animal’s external structures help it do?
Survive by meeting needs such as getting food, protection, and moving through its environment.
Name five senses animals may use to gather information.
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
After receiving information from its environment, what can an animal do?
Process the information and respond.
What is a variation among animals of the same population?
A difference in traits among individuals of the same kind of animal.
A bird has a long, narrow beak and feeds on insects in small holes. What evidence suggests the beak helps it feed?
The beak’s shape allows it to reach insects in small spaces.
What structure helps a bird pick up and eat food?
Its beak.
A deer hears a loud snap in the forest. What type of information did it receive?
Sound information through hearing.
A rabbit sees a hawk overhead and runs for cover. Identify the information and the response.
It sees the hawk; running for cover is the response.
In a snowy habitat, which rabbit may be harder for predators to see: one with white fur or one with dark fur?
The white-furred rabbit, if its fur blends into the snow.
Two animals live in the same habitat but have different feet. What should a scientist compare to learn how the feet help?
The foot structures and how each animal uses them in its habitat.
How can webbed feet help a duck?
They help the duck push against water and swim.
Which sense helps an owl detect sounds made by prey?
Hearing.
A plant is not an animal. For this standard, what is the key focus: animal senses, rocks, or weather tools?
Animal senses.
What does it mean if a trait gives an animal a survival advantage?
It helps the animal survive or reproduce in its environment.
A population has light and dark individuals. The habitat becomes covered in light-colored sand. Which individuals may be less visible to predators?
Light-colored individuals.
How can thick fur help an animal in a cold habitat?
It helps keep the animal warm.
A dog smells food nearby. Which sense is gathering information?
Smell.
A dog hears its owner call and turns toward the sound. What caused the response?
The sound it heard.
If a habitat changes, will every trait be equally helpful?
No. Some traits may become more helpful than others.
A student says, “All members of a population are exactly alike.” Is that a strong scientific claim?
No. Individuals in a population can differ in their traits.
A turtle pulls its body into its shell when threatened. How does the shell help?
It provides protection from danger.
Why do animals use their senses?
To gather information about their surroundings.
Why can a quick response to danger be helpful?
It can help an animal avoid being caught or injured.
How can a helpful trait affect an animal’s chance to reproduce?
The animal may be more likely to survive long enough to reproduce.
What kind of evidence can support a claim that a trait helps an animal survive?
Observations or data showing how the trait helps the animal meet a need, avoid danger, or reproduce.