Which of the following would most likely happen if grasses and shrubs were removed from a rural Massachusetts ecosystem? OPTIONS:
- There would be an increase in consumers in the ecosystem.
- There would be an increase of photosynthesis in the ecosystem.
- There would be a decrease in food energy produced by the ecosystem.
- There would be a decrease of carbon dioxide available to the ecosystem.
A: There would be a decrease in food energy produced by the ecosystem.

Which of these is the best definition of heredity? OPTIONS:
- the transfer of learning from one generation to the next
- the transfer of visible features from one generation to the next
- the passage of dominant genes from one generation to the next
- the passage of genetic information from one generation to the next
A: the passage of genetic information from one generation to the next

Scientists have categorized trees based on whether they keep or lose their leaves each year. Another logical way to categorize trees is based on the OPTIONS:
- types of nutrients needed to grow.
- amount of oxygen that is released into the air.
- color of leaves that are produced.
- type of fruit that is produced.
A: type of fruit that is produced.

Which of the following is a living component of a desert in California? OPTIONS:
- low rainfall
- hot temperature
- polar bear
- horned lizard
A:
horned lizard