Question
The images show four animals.
Which two animals show adaptive features for being secondary consumers?
A) 1 and 3
B) 1 and 4
C) 2 and 3
D) 2 and 4
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Solution
Ans: D
Secondary consumers are carnivores that feed on primary consumers (herbivores). Their adaptive features typically include:
- Sharp claws/teeth for capturing prey
- Forward-facing eyes for depth perception
- Predatory body structure
In the image:
- Animal 2 (likely a bird of prey) shows hooked beak and talons
- Animal 4 (predatory mammal) displays sharp teeth and forward-facing eyes
- Animals 1 and 3 show herbivorous features (flat teeth, side-facing eyes)
Thus, the correct pair is D (2 and 4), as these exhibit clear adaptations for carnivory.
Question
Many mammals have coloured fur and many birds have coloured feathers. Which uses of colour could help males survive long enough to pass on their features to their offspring?
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Solution
Ans: A
The correct answer is A (Camouflage to avoid predators) because:
- Survival Advantage: Camouflage helps males avoid detection by predators, increasing their chances of surviving to reproductive age.
- Natural Selection: This trait can be passed to offspring, maintaining the adaptive coloration in the population.
Other options are less directly related to survival:
- B (Attracting mates) – While important for reproduction, it doesn’t directly enhance survival
- C (Warning colors) – Typically found in poisonous species, not most mammals/birds
- D (Regulating temperature) – While dark/light colors can affect thermoregulation, this doesn’t specifically help avoid predators