4th Grade Science : Plant and Animal Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

Which structure on a plant aids in survival by absorbing water?

Possible Answers:

Petals

Leaves

Roots

Stem

Correct answer:

Roots

Explanation:

The plant has internal and external structures that aid in survival. The roots absorb water from the soil and keep the plant steady and stable, so it doesn't fall over. Without the roots, the plant would topple over and be dehydrated because of a lack of water.

Example Question #2 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

How do the leaves on a plant assist in its survival?

Possible Answers:

They absorb water and nutrients.

They collect sunlight for photosynthesis.

They keep the plant steady and stable.

They allow pollination to take place.

Correct answer:

They collect sunlight for photosynthesis.

Explanation:

The leaves on a plant are an external structure that assists in its survival. Without leaves, plants would not be able to make their food through the process of photosynthesis. The leaves absorb carbon dioxide and sunlight to turn into food for the plant. This structure is vital to a plant living and growing.

Example Question #1 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

How do flowers aid in a plant's survival?

Possible Answers:

They are the main structure for stabilizing the plant, so they aid in keeping it upright.

They are the main structure for reproduction, so they aid in pollination to continue the development of new plants.

They are the main structure for beauty, so they aid in attracting not only pollinators but humans to planting them in gardens.

They are the main structure of photosynthesis, so they aid in creation of the plant's food.

Correct answer:

They are the main structure for reproduction, so they aid in pollination to continue the development of new plants.

Explanation:

Flowers don't seem vital to a plant's survival, but they are an essential part of the process. They are the main structure for reproduction, so they aid in pollination to continue the development of new plants. Flower petals attract pollinators who then fertilize the plants, seeds are developed, and some plants produce fruits and vegetables, and pollinators are required for this process. Without the flower, all of these things would be impossible.

Example Question #4 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

Erik thinks that plants have structures to help keep them alive. His sister Maria disagrees with him and feels that only animals have structures to keep them alive.

Whose argument is correct, and why?

Possible Answers:

Erik is correct because structures mean roots, and plants have roots. Animals do not have roots, so his sister Maria cannot be right.

Erik is correct because plants have internal and external structures that keep them alive. An example is thorns; these spikes keep animals or insects from eating the plant.

Maria is correct because plants do not have a structure like animals. Structures refer to internal organs like a heart or liver and plants do not have these types of features.

Maria is correct because plants may have structures, but they are not living things like animals, so they cannot be compared with each other.

Correct answer:

Erik is correct because plants have internal and external structures that keep them alive. An example is thorns; these spikes keep animals or insects from eating the plant.

Explanation:

Erik is correct in his argument that plats have structures to keep them alive. Thorns, roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds are all examples of structures that plants have that keep them growing, reproducing, and living. Plants are living things that have adapted over the years to increase their rate of survival. If a plant has spines or spikes like thorns, something is less likely to eat it.

Example Question #5 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

Plants do not have structures that aid in their survival.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

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.

Example Question #1 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

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?

Possible Answers:

A hurricane ravages a beachfront

A bolt of lightning strikes a tall tree

A forest fire overtakes a large area of land

A storm causes a river to crest and flood the surrounding area

Correct answer:

A storm causes a river to crest and flood the surrounding area

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.

 

Example Question #7 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

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?

Possible Answers:

The leaves collect sunlight for photosynthesis.

None of these reasons defend an argument that plants’ leaves help them survive.

The leaves store water in the event of a fire or drought.

The leaves contain chlorophyll, which the plant uses for energy.

Correct answer:

The leaves collect sunlight for photosynthesis.

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.

Example Question #4 : Plant And Animal Structures

Flowers do not play a role in a plant’s survival.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Flowers are the primary reproductive organs of the plants. The plant relies on the flowers to produce more of its kind so the species can survive.

Example Question #8 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

Some plants live in many different types of habitats; however, desert and aquatic plants do not have different structures for survival.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Desert and aquatic plants have incredibly different needs thanks to their environments; therefore, they have different structures to assist in their survival. For example, aquatic plants are softer and have leaves that each contains an air bubble to allow the plant to stand up straight. Desert plants have leaves in the form of thorns and have very thick stems to store water for when there is a drought.

Example Question #9 : Argue That Plants Have Structures For Survival

Plants can survive in many different habitats because they have ________________.

Possible Answers:

chlorophyll

roots

fronds

adapted

Correct answer:

adapted

Explanation:

Plants have had to make changes, or adaptations, to be able to survive in many different environments. These adaptations may include leaf type, stem thickness, flexibility, carnivorous diet, and more!

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