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A prickly pear cactus, common in dry Florida scrub, has thick, waxy skin and spines instead of large leaves. How does this structural adaptation most help the cactus survive its environment?
A)prevents animals from eating it and reduces water loss
B) allows it to grow taller than other plants
C) Makes its roots stronger to anchor in the sand
D)It helps it trap insects for food
A) prevents animals from eating it and reduces water loss
The Osprey, a bird common in Florida wetlands, has feet with sharp, curved talons and rough pads on the soles. Which statement describes how this feature best helps the Osprey survive in its environment?
A) it keeps the Osprey cool while sitting in its nest in the summer heat
B) it is used to dig deep holes in the mud for building a nest
C) it helps the osprey climb the smooth, wet bank of cypress trees
D) it allows the Osprey to hold onto slippery fish after catching them in the water
D) it allows the Osprey to hold onto slippery fish after catching them in the water
A Florida ecosystem experienced a severe cold snap that killed many local plants. This sudden change would most immediately cause what effect on the local primary consumers?
A) Their population would increase because of less competition
B) They would immediately adapt to eat other animals (become carnivores)
C) Their population would decrease due to a sudden lack of food
D) They would migrate to the ocean to find new food sources
C) Their population would decrease due to sudden lack of food
A student plants five different types of flowers in a garden to observe how easily they are pollinated by bees. The student hypothesizes that the flowers with the largest and brightest petals will be visited most often by the bees. Which observation would best support the student's hypothesis?
A) The smallest flower type was visited more than the largest flower type
B) The two flowers with the largest and brightest petals received 90% of all bee visits
C) All five flower types were visited the exact same number of times
D) The largest and brightest flowers produced the least amount of seeds
B) The two flowers with the largest and brightest petals received 90% of all bee visits
During the cold winter months, Florida black bears will build a den and enter a state of deep sleep where their body temperature and breathing rate drop significantly. This behavior is called hibernation. What is the main benefit of this action?
A) to avoid being seen by humans who are hiking
B) to conserve energy when food is scarce and temperatures are low
C) To allow them to migrate to warmer areas like the coast.
D) To help them grow a thicker coat of fur for the next season
B) to conserve energy when food is scarce and temperatures are low
In an interdependent relationship, organisms rely on each other or their environment to meet their basic needs. Which statement below describes the Florida White Tailed Deer's most critical relationship for obtaining food?
A) The deer sheds its antlers once a year to make room for new growth
B) the deer's long legs allow it to run away from predators like bobcats
C) the deer consumes green plants, which use sunlight to produce the food it needs
D) the deer must find a steady source of clean water from a river or stream
C) the deer consumes green plants, which use sunlight to produce the food it needs
A student hypothesizes that the temperatures of the soil affects how fast earthworms (decomposers) break down matter. They set up three containers with the same soil and dead leaves, but keep the soil temperature at 5C, 15C, and 25C. Which observation would best support the hypothesis that warmer temperatures increase the decomposition rate?
A) The earthworks in the 15C container ate the most food
B) The soil at 5C has the most dead leaves remaining after one month
C) All three containers have the exact same amount of remaining dead leaves
D) The container kept at 25C has the least amount of dead leaves remaining after one month
D) The container kept at 25C has the least amount of dead leaves remaining after one month
In the winter, a snake moves under a warm rock to get head from the sun. When it gets too hot, the snake moves back into the shade. The snake is moving to regulate its body temperature. This action is an example of:
A) an inherited behavior
B) A structural adaptation
C) Natural selection
D) Hibernation
A) An inherited behavior
A student places a houseplant on a window sill where the light comes only from the west side. After several days, the student observes the stem and leaves have all bent toward the west window. Why does the plant respond in this way?
A)To prepare to lose its leaves for the winter dormancy period
B) To reduce the amount of water lost through its large leaves
C) To maximize the amount of sunlight collected by its leaves for making food
D) To help its roots better absorb water from the soil
C) To maximize the amount of sunlight collected by its leaves for making food
Florida Live Oak trees grow in open areas with plenty of sun. Their leaves are small, tough, and leathery. Why is this structural adaptation more beneficial to the Live Oak than having the large, thin leaves of a rainforest plant?
A) The tough leaves attract more insects for pollination in the open air
B) The small leaves reduce water loss and prevent damage from strong sun and winds
C) The tough, small leaves absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
D) The small leaves allow the tree to migrate during the cold winter months
B) The small leaves reduce water loss and prevent damage from strong sun and winds
Which of the following describes a behavioral adaptation that helps a lizard living in the hot Florida sun regulate its body temperature?
A) Eating only insects found on the ground and not in the air
B) Burrowing underground during the hottest part of the afternoon
C) Having tough scaly skin to reduce water loss
D) Changing its body color to blend in with the leaves
B) Burrowing underground during the hottest part of the afternoon
Green anole lizards in a South Florida nature preserve live mostly on tree bark, which is brown and gray. Over time, a new species of bird arrives that preys on the lizards. What will most likely happen to the lizard population in the future generations?
A) the lizards will change their environments by painting the tree bark green
B) the new bird species will quickly become extinct due to lack of food
C) All of the lizards will develop bright green coloring to attract mates
D) Lizards with brown or gray coloring will be more likely to survive and reproduce
D) Lizards with brown and gray coloring will be more likely to survive and reproduce
The Gopher Tortoise is a reptile common in the sandy habitats of Florida. Its front legs are shaped into shovel-like structures with strong claws. This physical adaptation allows it to dig long, deep underground burrows. How would this structural adaptation be classified based on its purpose?
A) An adaptation that helps it hunt
B) An adaptation that helps it camoflague
C) An adaptation that helps it burrow
D) An adaptation that helps it migrate
C) An adaptation that helps it burrow
Which statement below describes how the long, sharp beak of a shorebird best helps it to survive in its marsh environment?
A) It is used to dig deep holes in the ground for building a nest
B) It helps the bird reduce water loss when sitting on the open beach
C) It helps the bird attract a mate during the breeding season
D) It is used to probe the mud and sand to grab hidden worms and small crustaceans
A large area of undeveloped land in Central Florida is paved over to build a shopping center. The new, hard surfaces prevent rain from soaking into the ground naturally. Which of the following is the most likely long-term negative result of this change?
A) there will be increaed flooding and reduction in the natural water supply for surrounding areas
B) the remaining wild animals will start migrating to the paved-over area for safety
C) the area will experience more natural air flow from the ocean
D) the number of natural fresh water underground aquifers will increase
A) there will be increased flooding and a reduction in the natural water supply for surrounding areas.
Florida Scrub-Jays, found in dry habitats, often hide hundreds of seeds during the fall season and rely on these hidden seeds to survive the winter. If an unusually severe, long-lasting drought occurs, how would it most severely affect the Scrub Jays?
A) They couldn't reproduce
B) They couldn't find shelter in small oak trees
C) They couldn't find food to hide for winter
D) They wouldn't find drinking water
C) They couldn't find food to hide for winter
Which of the following features of a Florida Green Tree Frog is a structural adaptation for climbing on smooth leaves and vertical stems?
A) Its ability to change skin color for camouflage
B) Its loud call used to attract a mate
C) Its sticky pads on its toes and feet
D) Its nocturnal hunting schedule
C) Its sticky pads on its toes and feet