This passage described the adaptations of the saguaro cactus. The cactus lives in desert environments, which have very little rainfall. The piece of text evidence from the selection that best supports the idea that the saguaro cactus needs water to survive is, "They must collect, store, and conserve large amounts of water to grow and flourish in this harsh environment.". This excerpt states that to grow and flourish, the cactus must collect, store, and conserve large amounts of water. This means that water is a vital resource for the plant, and it must have it to survive.

The claim that is supported by the passage is "All plants, even cacti, need water to survive and will adapt new ways to find and keep it.". The saguaro cactus has a vast root system, a thick stem, and thorns. These adaptations allow the cactus to survive in an environment of very little water which is an essential resource for all plants. The cactus has methods of retrieving water, storing it, and protecting it.

The statement "Plants need air, light, carbon dioxide, and water to grow." is true. Plants need light from the sun to complete photosynthesis and water to stay hydrated and use in creating their food. They need oxygen for respiration, and they absorb carbon dioxide from the air for the transformation into oxygen, sugar, and carbohydrates. All of these things are necessary for their survival.

Plants need water, air, sunlight, and carbon dioxide to survive. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air around them, and through the process of photosynthesis, they use the CO₂ and sunlight to make food for themselves. They cannot eat in the same manner as humans and animals, so carbon dioxide is an essential part of their survival process.

In this scenario, the plants with the most growth would be the plants in tray A. The plants in tray A received not only water (which plants must have to survive) but also sunlight. Plants need sunlight for the process of photosynthesis. If plants do not have access to air and sunlight, they cannot make their food and survive. The plants in tray B were deprived of sunlight, so they will not have as much growth as tray A.

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down organic material. This includes the remains of dead organisms. Bacteria, worms, snails, slugs, and fungi are types of decomposers. All organisms undergo decomposition after death.

A decomposer is an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem. Often a decomposer is a bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate. Decomposers play a critical role in the flow of energy through an ecosystem. Decomposers make vital nutrients available to an ecosystem’s primary producers—usually plants and algae.

If decomposers were removed from a food chain, there would be a break down in the flow of matter and energy. Waste and dead organisms would pile up. Producers would not have enough nutrients because, within the waste and dead organisms, nutrients would not be released back into the ecosystem.

Decomposers play a vital role in keeping the food chain functioning properly. As decomposers break down the remains of dead organisms and produce waste, nutrients are recycled back into the soil for producers (plants) to absorb through their roots. Without decomposers, there would be a buildup of debris, remained, and a lack of nutrients in the food chain.

A decomposer is an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem. Often a decomposer is a bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate. Decomposers play a critical role in the flow of energy through an ecosystem. Decomposers make vital nutrients available to an ecosystem’s primary producers—usually plants and algae. A worm, bacterium, or fungi would all be acceptable examples of a decomposer.