3rd Grade Science : Characteristics Among Species

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 3rd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Characteristics Among Species

What does the term advantage mean? Example: The more beautiful and showy a male peacocks tail is, the more advantage it has over other birds to attract a mate.

Possible Answers:

Ability to understand things based on intelligence level

A condition or circumstance that puts someone or something in a superior position

Physical strength to fight or overpower others

A condition or circumstance that puts someone or something in a weak position

Correct answer:

A condition or circumstance that puts someone or something in a superior position

Explanation:

The term advantage means that someone or something has a quality or is in a circumstance that puts it into a superior position. The peacocks in the example that have the most elaborate tail feathers would be more likely to attract a mate because they have an advantage or a superior quality when compared to the other birds. The animals and plants which have variations in their traits that lead to these benefits are going to pass them on to their offspring and create strength in their species or family group.

Example Question #12 : Characteristics Among Species

Many species of frogs attract their mate with vocal calls and noises. Which variation in vocal calls would best help a frog attract a mate?

Possible Answers:

The cutest call would attract more mates.

The softest call would attract more mates.

The loudest call would attract more mates.

There is no variation in traits that would attract more mates.

Correct answer:

The loudest call would attract more mates.

Explanation:

Trait variations are changes and adaptations to the characteristics for survival and mating. Male frogs need to attract mates, and they use their vocal calls to get their attention. The variation that would attract the most mates would be to have the loudest cry. This would allow more female frogs to hear the calls and react. Frogs with soft, weak calls would not receive as much attention, and those frogs would receive fewer opportunities to meet a mate.

Example Question #3 : Explain How Trait Variations Give Mating Advantages

Individual variations in traits give plants and animals certain mating advantages over others.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The statement is true and accurate. Some animals and plants have trait variations that lead them to have advantages with attracting mates. If an animal has brighter feathers or a flower has more colorful petals, they are more likely to be selected for pollination or mating. These advantages put them in a better position than other organisms.

Example Question #4 : Explain How Trait Variations Give Mating Advantages

For many species of male ducks, the birds that have the most ornate and colorful feathers are selected as a mate. The female birds are more muted in color. The females must sit on the nests to incubate their eggs, and the brown colors help them to blend in from predators. Also, male ducks are larger than the female ducks.

Ducks, Pair, Mallards, Colorful

Why would the female look for the largest and most colorful male duck to be her mate?

Possible Answers:

She believes he is stronger, better at collecting food, and has good traits to pass on.

His colors and size trick her into thinking he is smarter than other ducks.

She believes he is faster, meaner, and more aggressive.

She thinks he is cuter and more fun because of the bright colors.

Correct answer:

She believes he is stronger, better at collecting food, and has good traits to pass on.

Explanation:

Female ducks usually choose the larger and more colorful male to be her mate because they are perceived to be the best choices. If they are large, it probably means they are good at finding food and can protect her and the ducklings. Ducks have a great sense of color so they can see which male has the most beautiful and healthy feathers. The female ducks want the best chance at their baby surviving, so they look for the most reliable genes to pass on. The biggest and most colorful ducks probably have these genes.

Example Question #13 : Characteristics Among Species

Which trait variation would NOT give an animal an advantage in finding a mate?

Possible Answers:

An eagle with a sharp beak

A giraffe with a short neck

A male duck with webbed feet

A lion with a thick mane

Correct answer:

A giraffe with a short neck

Explanation:

Three of the answer choices are characteristics of the animal that it currently has and aid in finding a mate. If a giraffe had a short neck, it would have a hard time finding a mate. Female giraffes know that their food source is leaves high in the trees, so a short-necked mate would mean their babies could have short necks. If the giraffe has a short neck, it cannot reach food as efficiently and may struggle. The female is less likely to pick a mate who could be seen as weak or give her weak offspring.

Example Question #14 : Characteristics Among Species

Many species of frogs attract their mate with vocal calls and noises. Which variation in vocal calls would NOT help a frog attract a mate?

Possible Answers:

A muffled call would not attract more mates.

A loud call would not attract more mates.

There is no variation in traits that would attract more mates.

A distinct call would not attract more mates.

Correct answer:

A muffled call would not attract more mates.

Explanation:

Trait variations are changes and adaptations to the characteristics for survival and mating. Male frogs need to attract mates, and they use their vocal calls to get their attention. The variation that would attract the most mates would be to have the loudest cry. This would allow more female frogs to hear the calls and react. A distant call would make the frog stand out against the other males. A muffled cry would NOT help him attract a mate. A muffled call would be hard to hear and not allow the frog to stand out.

Example Question #7 : Explain How Trait Variations Give Mating Advantages

For many species of male ducks, the birds that have the most ornate and colorful feathers are selected as a mate. The female birds are more muted in color. The females must sit on the nests to incubate their eggs, and the brown colors help them to blend in from predators. Also, male ducks are larger than the female ducks.

Ducks, Pair, Mallards, Colorful

Which duck below would the female be most UNLIKELY to choose has her mate?

Possible Answers:

The Duck, Mandarin, Birds, Plumage

Duck, Water Bird, Flying Home, Duck

Duck, Lake, Water, Bird, Pond, Animal

Emerald Duck, Duck, Male, Bird, Water

Correct answer:

Duck, Lake, Water, Bird, Pond, Animal

Explanation:

Female ducks usually choose the larger and more colorful male to be her mate because they are perceived to be the best choices. If they are large, it probably means they are good at finding food and can protect her and the ducklings. Ducks have a great sense of color so they can see which male has the most beautiful and healthy feathers. The female ducks want the best chance at their baby surviving, so they look for the most reliable genes to pass on. The biggest and most colorful ducks probably have these genes. The duck that the female would be least likely to pick has gray and brown muted feathers and is not ornate or brightly colored in any way. He is least likely to stand out to her.

Example Question #15 : Characteristics Among Species

Which trait variation would give an animal an advantage in finding a mate?

Possible Answers:

A giraffe that is skilled at finding leaves

A male eagle that is larger than the rest

All of the answer choices are correct

A female chicken who was good at caring for babies

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct

Explanation:

All of the answer choices are characteristics of the animal that would make it stand out as an exceptional mate. Each of the listed examples provides a trait that has become adapted in the gene pool that makes it an excellent choice for a mate. A large eagle is more likely to survive fights and find food making it ideal. A giraffe tat is skilled at locating leaves will help keep a family alive. A female chicken is charged with caring for young, so if she is a good mother, a male chicken may be more likely to select her as a mate. All of these are trait variations that give the animal an advantage.

Example Question #16 : Characteristics Among Species

Plants do not need to find mates, so they do not develop variations in their traits.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

The statement is false and inaccurate. Plants do have trait variations that lead them to have advantages with attracting "mates." If a flower has more colorful petals, they are more likely to be selected for pollination. These advantages put them in a better position than other organisms. Plants don't attract mates in a traditional sense, but they still must attract pollinators to reproduce and create new plants.

Example Question #17 : Characteristics Among Species

What is a trait? Example: Male ducks develop brightly colored feathers. This trait helps them stand out to potential mates.

Possible Answers:

A distinguishing quality or characteristic

A level of intelligence above all others

An ability to do something amazing

A delicious dessert or snack

Correct answer:

A distinguishing quality or characteristic

Explanation:

A trait is a quality, feature, or characteristic that stands out or makes something/someone distinguishable. In the example, the duck has brightly colored feathers. This allows him to stand out, and female ducks will be more likely to notice him. Traits can be physical, like the example or behavioral. They are passed down by parents to offspring.

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