Plant and Animal Structures
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4th Grade Science › Plant and Animal Structures
Which structure(s) on a rattlesnake help it to survive?
Tongue for taking in sensory information
Scales for camouflage
Rattle for warning predators
All of the answer choices are correct
Explanation
The rattlesnake pictured has all three of the structures listed for survival and more! Snakes use their tongues as a way to "taste" or "touch" the air to receive sensory information; they have colored scales that can act as a warning to other predators or even as camouflage in their habitat. Rattlesnakes are unique in that they have a rattle on the ends of their chair that they can shake and vibrate as a warning to predators to stay away. These structures help snakes to survive in challenging places.
Andy says that animals have structures that help them survive, but the skin is not one of those structures. Which of the following arguments DISPROVES Andy’s statement?
Armadillos, hedgehogs, and porcupines all have armor-like skin, which protects them from predators and harsh environments.
Arthropods have exoskeletons that they molt as their bodies grow.
Mollusks, like snails, have calcified shells that protect them from predators and rough seas.
None of these arguments disprove Andy’s statement.
Explanation
Andy is arguing that skin cannot help an animal survive, but he can be proven wrong. Many mammals, such as armadillos, hedgehogs, and porcupines, have protective skin features, such as quills and bony plates. These features of skin not only protect the animals from predators but also harsh habitats.
Plants do not have structures that aid in their survival.
True
False
Explanation
This statement is false. Plants have many structures that are suited for survival. Leaves, roots, flowers, petals, stems, and seeds are all examples of a structure that a plant has that keeps it alive. Each feature plays a specific part in the plant's survival. Plants have adapted to their surroundings to have the best opportunity at life.
Some plants have fibrous roots that branch in many different directions. These roots help the plants to absorb water quickly, while also holding them in the ground. In which of the following scenarios would fibrous roots serve as a structure for a plant’s survival?
A forest fire overtakes a large area of land
A hurricane ravages a beachfront
A storm causes a river to crest and flood the surrounding area
A bolt of lightning strikes a tall tree
Explanation
Because fibrous roots can help hold a plant in the ground, in the event of flooding, this root system would help anchor the plant in place, thus allowing it to survive. While these types of roots do enable plants to absorb water, this ability alone would not cause the plant to survive an event such as a forest fire, lightning strike, or hurricane.
Plants do not have structures that aid in their survival.
True
False
Explanation
This statement is false. Plants have many structures that are suited for survival. Leaves, roots, flowers, petals, stems, and seeds are all examples of a structure that a plant has that keeps it alive. Each feature plays a specific part in the plant's survival. Plants have adapted to their surroundings to have the best opportunity at life.
Andy says that animals have structures that help them survive, but the skin is not one of those structures. Which of the following arguments DISPROVES Andy’s statement?
Armadillos, hedgehogs, and porcupines all have armor-like skin, which protects them from predators and harsh environments.
Arthropods have exoskeletons that they molt as their bodies grow.
Mollusks, like snails, have calcified shells that protect them from predators and rough seas.
None of these arguments disprove Andy’s statement.
Explanation
Andy is arguing that skin cannot help an animal survive, but he can be proven wrong. Many mammals, such as armadillos, hedgehogs, and porcupines, have protective skin features, such as quills and bony plates. These features of skin not only protect the animals from predators but also harsh habitats.
Which structure(s) on a rattlesnake help it to survive?
Tongue for taking in sensory information
Scales for camouflage
Rattle for warning predators
All of the answer choices are correct
Explanation
The rattlesnake pictured has all three of the structures listed for survival and more! Snakes use their tongues as a way to "taste" or "touch" the air to receive sensory information; they have colored scales that can act as a warning to other predators or even as camouflage in their habitat. Rattlesnakes are unique in that they have a rattle on the ends of their chair that they can shake and vibrate as a warning to predators to stay away. These structures help snakes to survive in challenging places.
Some plants have fibrous roots that branch in many different directions. These roots help the plants to absorb water quickly, while also holding them in the ground. In which of the following scenarios would fibrous roots serve as a structure for a plant’s survival?
A forest fire overtakes a large area of land
A hurricane ravages a beachfront
A storm causes a river to crest and flood the surrounding area
A bolt of lightning strikes a tall tree
Explanation
Because fibrous roots can help hold a plant in the ground, in the event of flooding, this root system would help anchor the plant in place, thus allowing it to survive. While these types of roots do enable plants to absorb water, this ability alone would not cause the plant to survive an event such as a forest fire, lightning strike, or hurricane.
Which argument best explains why a giraffe's structures help it to survive in its habitat?
Giraffes have features like spots and long necks. The dark spots on a giraffe's body hide an intricate network of blood vessels and glands. These dark patches allow blood to flow through them, releasing heat and cooling the body. A giraffe's long neck helps them reach leaves far up in the treetops where other animals cannot reach. The tallest trees usually have the deepest roots and can reach water in the soil that other trees cannot, so the long neck allows giraffes to reach food sources that last through extended droughts.
Giraffes have features like spots and long necks. The dark spots on a giraffe's body look attractive in the sunlight and on the plains of Africa. Each giraffe's spots are unique, so they stand out and can be individuals. A giraffe also has a long neck that allows it to see high above the other animals and exhibit its superiority. The giraffe can get the best food that is exclusive to only tall animals. The giraffe survives well because it is one of the most well-liked animals and so unique.
Giraffes are survivors in their environment because they are so determined and hard-working. Giraffes have a difficult life in the African plains with predators and droughts, but because of their mental determination, they can withstand anything that nature throws at them. Their ability to find food in droughts, care for their young, and live in social groups is an advantage to the giraffe's survival.
Giraffes are survivors and do so well in their habitats because of the structures they are born with. They have features lungs and hearts, which are exclusive to giraffes. They are the only African animal that has these internal structures to aid in their survival. Their lungs help them to breathe, and their hearts pump blood through their bodies. Without their hearts and lungs, giraffes would not be able to survive.
Explanation
All of the answer choices are arguments for giraffes being survivors in their habitats, but only one correctly explains why internal or external structures assist them. "Giraffes have features like spots and long necks. The dark spots on a giraffe's body hide an intricate network of blood vessels and glands. These dark patches allow blood to flow through them, releasing heat and cooling the body. A giraffe's long neck helps them reach leaves far up in the treetops where other animals cannot reach. The tallest trees usually have the deepest roots and can reach water in the soil that other trees cannot, so the long neck allows giraffes to reach food sources that last through extended droughts." The structures highlighted in this answer choice are spots and long necks, which are both external features. The choice explains why the spots and long necks are an advantage for the giraffe. This argument includes the necessary information, is accurate, and focuses on the animal structures.
Pam says that leaves on a plant do not help a plant survive. Jim argues that plants do use leaves to help them survive. Why is Jim’s argument correct?
The leaves contain chlorophyll, which the plant uses for energy.
The leaves collect sunlight for photosynthesis.
The leaves store water in the event of a fire or drought.
None of these reasons defend an argument that plants’ leaves help them survive.
Explanation
Leaves are an external structure of a plant. Leaves assist in the survival of the plant because they absorb carbon dioxide and sunlight to create food for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis, which the plant relies on to survive.