7^th Grade Science Ecosystems Name: ______________________________

1. Which is NOT an element of our local habitats?

a) Soil b) Water c) Tigers d) Limestone rocks

2. Mississippi has an average frost-free period of 270 days. This means there are 270 days: a) that have no frost b) from the last Spring frost to the first frost of Fall

c) that have rain instead d) from the first Fall frost until the first Spring one

3. Which is NOT a common local north Mississippi plant?

a) Oak b) Pine c) Banana d) Moss

4. Which is a NATIVE herbivore? a) Deer b) Elephant c) Cow d) Rattlesnake

5. Which is our most common carnivore? a) Bear b) Mouse c) Snake d) Deer

6. Chlorophyll is found where in the chloroplast?

a) On the membrane b) In the cytoplasm

c) Behind the DNA d) Chlorophyll is not found in chloroplasts

7. This lab equipment picture shows:

a) a triple beam balance

b) a mortar and pestle

c) a graduated cylinder

d) a test tube rack

8. Methanol is:

a) poisonous b) an organic solvent

c) cold to the touch d) all of these

9. Do anthocyanins dissolve in methanol? YES or NO

10. Our anthocyanin extract was what color? _____________________

11. According to the US Endangered Species act, would scaring endangered birds away from their nests be illegal? YES or NO

12. Who would be more active in preserving endangered species?

a) Conservation biologist b) Ecologist c) Geologist d) None of these

13. During the Age of the Dinosaurs, the area where Okolona sits now was:

a) atop a mountain b) a desert c) same as now d) under the Gulf of Mexico

14. Name an endangered or threatened species from our book reading yesterday: ______

15. Describe how we extracted chlorophyll from leaves:

Ecology on Madagascar

Madagascar is a special place, because many of its plants and animals can not be found anywhere else in the world. They are "endemic" to this island off the eastern coast of Africa. Often, island plants and animals survive only in one place-their island. But people live on the island, too. They also need food to eat and places to live. Balancing all the needs on an island is a tough job.

Rich forests once covered Madagascar. But today, many places have just bare soil. People cleared the forest with fire to plant crops and make room for cattle to graze. Madagascar's forests, a precious resource, have disappeared. Now the island's soil, which is necessary to grow crops, washes into the sea with every rainfall. Satellite pictures from NASA show how soil runoff has colored the waters around Madagascar.

Island plants and animals are often unique, because they've developed in isolation. One of Madagascar's unusual endemic animals is the aye-aye, specially adapted for picking grubs out of tree bark. The radiated tortoise is one of Madagascar's endangered animals. But people still hunt this species for food and to sell as pets. Madagascar is home to 57 species of chameleons-more than anyplace else in the world. The smallest is only about an inch long, but the largest has a tongue that's two feet long! The disease leukemia was once deadly to children. But today, almost all kids who have leukemia survive- thanks to a plant first found on Madagascar, the rosy periwinkle.

16. This article is about:

17. NASA is primarily involved in:

a) Protecting endangered species b) Eradication of dangerous chameleons

c) Space exploration d) None of these

18. People burned away the forests to grow _____________ and __________________.

19. Name one unique animal found on this island: _____________________________

20. Madagascar is closest to which continent?

a) North America b) South America c) Africa d) Asia

Bonus: Answer in complete sentences.

A. Do you think humans came to Madagascar very early or just recently? Why?

B. What would you suggest to help keep the people from burning the forests?