Download 7th Grade Populations and Ecosystems Investigation

Name: _________________
Investigation 8 Adaptations Study Guide
Please review the Adaptations reading, the “What Causes Species to Become Extinct” and “How
Have Crocodiles Survived for Millions of Years” packets, as well as the Adaptations power point
to help you prepare for the test.
1. You will be given several statements and you will be asked to identify if the statement
describes a feature or a trait. Below are only examples of the types of statements that you
will see on the test.
Hint: Feature is a general behavior, characteristic, or body structure. Trait is a specific
way a feature is expressed in an individual organism.
a. Walkingsticks rest among twigs.
_____________________________________
b. Some rose flowers are red. __________________________________________
c. All sugar maples have leaves that change color in the fall. ___________________
d. The leaves on some sugar leaves are yellow. _____________________________
e. Indian corn has colored kernels. _______________________________________
f. Some kernels of the Indian corn are brown. ______________________________
2. You will need to discuss the adaptation of crocodiles and its advantages.
3. Can individuals change their structures in response to the environment? Why or why not?
What would cause any change in an organism and how long would the change take
place?
7th Grade
Populations and Ecosystems
Investigation 8
4. You will need to know the following definitions:
a. Adaptation:
b. Trait:
c. Variation:
d. Feature:
e. Exploit:
5. How have humans changed the environment for species? Can these changes affect the
populations of species? Why or why not? (Hint: See Big Idea 2, Week 1 “What causes
species to become extinct?”)
6. You will be provided with a case study discussing variation within a population. You will
be asked to use the information from the case study to explain why or why not variation
is important within a population.
7. You will be given a few statements and you will need to be able to identify if the
organism is demonstrating a structural adaptation or a behavioral adaptation. (Hint: See
Adaptations reading for examples.)
7th Grade
Populations and Ecosystems
Investigation 8