1.
A TAXIS is a ___________ response to a stimulus.
Correct Answer
B. Directional
Explanation
A TAXIS is a directional response to a stimulus. This means that when a stimulus is present, such as light or heat, an organism will move in a specific direction in response to that stimulus. This movement can be towards the stimulus (positive taxis) or away from the stimulus (negative taxis). Therefore, the correct answer is "directional" because it accurately describes the nature of a taxis response.
2.
Which of the following is an example of a KINESIS?
Correct Answer
A. A hermit crab retracts into its shell when a shadow passes over it
Explanation
A hermit crab retracting into its shell when a shadow passes over it is an example of kinesis. Kinesis is a type of animal behavior where the organism responds to a stimulus by changing its activity level but not its direction. In this case, the hermit crab's movement of retracting into its shell is not directed towards or away from the shadow, but rather a random change in its activity level in response to the stimulus.
3.
Which of the following means a non-directional response to light?
Correct Answer
D. pHotokinesis
Explanation
Photokinesis refers to a non-directional response to light. It is a general term that encompasses various behaviors exhibited by organisms in response to light, such as changes in locomotion or activity levels. Unlike the other options, photokinesis does not involve a specific directional movement towards or away from light, making it the correct answer in this context.
4.
Which of the following would be used to describe a movement towards a potential mate's pheromones (chemicals produced by an animal and released from their body)?
Correct Answer
C. Positive chemotaxis
Explanation
Positive chemotaxis would be used to describe a movement towards a potential mate's pheromones. Chemotaxis refers to the movement of an organism in response to a chemical stimulus, and positive chemotaxis specifically refers to movement towards the source of the chemical. In this case, the organism is moving towards the pheromones released by a potential mate, indicating attraction or interest.
5.
The word used to describe a snail retracting into its shell when touched from any direction is _________.
Correct Answer
thigmokinesis
Explanation
Thigmokinesis is the correct answer because it is the term used to describe the behavior of a snail retracting into its shell when touched from any direction. This behavior is a response to physical contact and is a protective mechanism for the snail.
6.
You spend most of your adolescent life right side up (i.e., with your head pointing away from the centre of the Earth). Why is this NOT a positive gravitaxis?
Correct Answer
C. The being 'right side up' is not a response of your whole body towards the 'stimulus' of gravity. If you were put in the ocean and then swam towards the bottom automatically, that could be a positive gravitaxis. (Not a very advantageous behaviour for your survival though)
Explanation
D) is an interesting one. It is true that responses to gravity by animals are limited to small or unicellular organisms. 'Not me then' you say; but ask yourself, When were you a simple organism? When you were an embryo with only a few cells. At some stage your cells began to differentiate (become specialized); gravity may play a role in this. I have always found this fascinating - does this mean that humans could not reproduce in space...how much gravity is needed? This is a great example of the way that in Science, one possible answer leads to many more questions....
7.
Why is the growth of a pea root towards the centre of the Earth NOT positive gravitaxis? Because taxis is the word used for an oriented response in an _________.
Correct Answer
animal
Explanation
The growth of a pea root towards the centre of the Earth is not positive gravitaxis because taxis is the word used for an oriented response in an animal. Since a pea root is a plant, it does not exhibit taxis but instead shows positive geotropism, which is the growth response of a plant towards gravity.
8.
The plural of 'taxis' is_____________
Correct Answer
taxes
'taxes'
Explanation
The correct answer is "taxes" because the plural form of "taxi" is "taxis". The word "taxes" is written in both singular and plural form, but the correct plural form is "taxis".
9.
What words would you use to describe a worm burrowing back into the Earth when it is dug up in the garden? _________ ___________[HINT: it will be the singular form of the words]
Correct Answer
negative phototaxis
10.
Which of the following COULD be a reason for a goldfish swimming towards food flakes?
Correct Answer
B. Positive chemotaxis
Explanation
Positive chemotaxis is the process in which an organism moves towards a higher concentration of a particular chemical substance. In the case of a goldfish swimming towards food flakes, it is likely exhibiting positive chemotaxis because it is attracted to the chemical signals released by the food flakes. The goldfish's sensory organs detect these chemicals, causing it to swim towards the source of the food in order to feed.