3rd Grade Science : Life Science

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Describe Unique Organisms' Life Cycles And Similarities

Describe a unique characteristic of the frog's life cycle.

Possible Answers:

A frog starts with a tail, then grows wings, and finally, the tail shrinks until it is gone.

Frogs do not have any unique characteristics in their life cycle.

A frog starts as an egg and then morphs directly into an adult form.

A frog starts with a tail, then grows legs, and finally, the tail shrinks until it is gone.

Correct answer:

A frog starts with a tail, then grows legs, and finally, the tail shrinks until it is gone.

Explanation:

A unique characteristic of the frog's life cycle is its loss of tail and the growth of legs! A tadpole has a tail, and slowly legs grow (two at a time) as the tail shrinks. For quite a while, the frog has a small tail and four legs. Eventually, the tail shrinks until it is gone, and the frog reaches its adult stage.

Example Question #3 : Describe Unique Organisms' Life Cycles And Similarities

Many animals have unique life cycles.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Each organism is unique because they are all different. No two organisms are identical. Each offspring inherits characteristics from their parents, which gives them their make-up. Different organisms move through different life cycles, which put them at different stages. Many animals have different ways of caring for their young, gathering food, or life expectancies. Plants come in varieties of sizes, colors, and shapes. Each organism is unique.

 

Example Question #5 : Describe Unique Organisms' Life Cycles And Similarities

In the photo below, something unique is taking place. A caterpillar will build a cocoon and stay inside for seven to ten days. While inside it is called a(n) _______. When it emerges, it is a butterfly!

Cocoon, Butterfly, Insect, Nature

Possible Answers:

Nymph

Pupa

Tadpole

Egg

Correct answer:

Pupa

Explanation:

The caterpillar forms itself into a pupa or chrysalis, and it remains inside as it transforms into a butterfly. The pupa stage may last a few weeks to several months, depending on the species. The case around the pupa hardens to protect the caterpillar as it grows into the butterfly.

Example Question #3 : Describe Unique Organisms' Life Cycles And Similarities

What is a life cycle? Example: During a frog's life cycle, it changes shape and form.

Possible Answers:

A type of bicycle that has one wheel instead of two.

The cycle that water travels from the ground to the atmosphere.

The circle that animals travel in when they migrate.

The series of changes in the life of an organism.

Correct answer:

The series of changes in the life of an organism.

Explanation:

The life cycle of plant or animal (humans included) is the series of changes that the organism undergoes in its life. It starts at reproduction and moves through the different stages of life until it ends and begins over with the offspring. Different animals have different life cycles, and they are not all the same.

Example Question #1 : Inheritance Of Traits

What is a trait? Example: A unique trait of the giraffe is its long neck.

Possible Answers:

Swapping goods in order to get something

A measure of intelligence

A like or dislike of a plant or animal

A quality or characteristic of something

Correct answer:

A quality or characteristic of something

Explanation:

A trait is a quality or characteristic that can be used to describe something. In the example provided, a unique trait of the giraffe is its long neck. This characteristic is specific to a giraffe and can be used to describe its appearance. Often the word trait is also heard in English Language Arts when describing a character trait from a story or text.

Example Question #1 : Inheritance Of Traits

Why are there differences in siblings if they have the same parents?

Possible Answers:

Oldest siblings always get the same traits as their mothers.

Different genes and traits are inherited from the parents.

Most siblings look and act the same; there are few differences.

It is entirely random, and no one knows what any child might look like.

Correct answer:

Different genes and traits are inherited from the parents.

Explanation:

When siblings are born, they have different genetic make-ups and inherit different traits from their parents. One child might be born with red hair like the mother and another with brown hair like their father. They may both be tall like their father and have the same shaped eyes like their mother. There will be similarities between the offspring, but no two will be exactly alike because of the differences in the genes they inherit.

Example Question #2 : Inheritance Of Traits

The gorillas in the picture look very similar, but there is a difference in their hair color.

Gorilla And Baby

Why would the baby gorilla look slightly different than one of its parents?

Possible Answers:

The baby is a mix of the traits and characteristics of both parents.

This is not the gorilla's baby; it is just watching it for a friend.

Gorillas never look like their mothers. They only look like their fathers.

The adult gorilla is in the sun, and the baby is in the shade, so they look different.

Correct answer:

The baby is a mix of the traits and characteristics of both parents.

Explanation:

The baby gorilla looks different and has darker hair than the parent because it is a mix of both parents' genes and traits. The mother may have more brown/red hair while the father has very dark hair to the baby takes more after the father. Every child born is a mix of their two parents, some genes and traits from each will be instilled in the baby. As plants and animals grow older, they also change in appearance and may start to look like one parent more than the other.

Example Question #3 : Inheritance Of Traits

There are variations of inherited traits that exist in groups of similar organisms because they have different inherited information.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The statement presented is accurate and true. There are variations or differences in the traits of animals, even within the same groups and families. Each offspring inherits different information from their parents, so there are slight differences between them all.

Example Question #4 : Inheritance Of Traits

Plants and animals do not have traits inherited from their parents.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

This statement is false and untrue. Plants and animals inherit their traits and genes from their parents. Each offspring is a mix of both parents and will display characteristics from their mother and father. No two plants or animals are precisely the same because they each have unique traits.

Example Question #1 : Explain Variations Of Traits In Groups Of Organisms

Why does the puppy in the photo below look so similar to both of its parents?

Mother, Father, Baby, Dog, Cavalier

Possible Answers:

The puppy does not look similar to the adult dogs.

The puppy is a clone of the adult dogs.

The parent's traits have been passed to the puppy.

The adult dogs are not the puppy's parents; they are siblings.

Correct answer:

The parent's traits have been passed to the puppy.

Explanation:

Plants and animals inherit their traits and genes from their parents. Each offspring is a mix of both parents and will display characteristics from their mother and father. The adult dogs are all the same species, color, patterns, and breed, so they will pass on traits that will cause the puppy to look similar.

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