Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2019, High School Biology

Question 12: Open-Response

Reporting Category: Ecology
Standard: 6.2 - Analyze changes in population size and biodiversity (speciation and extinction) that result from the following: natural causes, changes in climate, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species.
Standard: Sci.HS.LS.2.06 - Analyze data to show ecosystems tend to maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms even when small changes in conditions occur but that extreme fluctuations in conditions may result in a new ecosystem. Construct an argument supported by evidence that ecosystems with greater biodiversity tend to have greater resistance to change and resilience. Clarification Statement: Examples of changes in ecosystem conditions could include modest biological or physical changes, such as moderate hunting or a seasonal flood; and extreme changes, such as volcanic eruption, fires, the decline or loss of a keystone species, climate changes, ocean acidification, or sea level rise.

View Reading Selection

The fur color of collared lemmings changes to white at a certain time of the year.

a. Explain how the change in fur color is an advantage to collared lemmings.

When temperatures rise above freezing, snow melts, which causes changes in the collared lemmings' habitat.

b. Describe two ways warming temperatures could cause the size of the collared lemming population to decrease.

c. Describe how fur color in the collared lemming population will likely change over time as temperatures increase because of climate change. Explain your answer using the principles of natural selection.

Scoring Guide for Idea Development

Select a score point in the table below to view the sample student response.

Score	Description
4	The response demonstrates a thorough understanding of how changes in population size and biodiversity can result from climate change. The response clearly explains how changing fur color in collared lemmings is an advantage for them. The response clearly describes two ways warming temperatures could cause the collared lemming population to decrease. The response also clearly describes how fur color in the collared lemming population will likely change over time as temperatures increase because of climate change and clearly explains the answer using principles of natural selection.
4
3	The response demonstrates a general understanding of how changes in population size and biodiversity can result from climate change.
2	The response demonstrates a limited understanding of how changes in population size and biodiversity can result from climate change.
1	The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of how changes in population size and biodiversity can result from climate change.
0	The response is incorrect or contains some correct work that is irrelevant to the skill or concept being measured.

Note: There are 2 sample student responses for Score Point 4.

High School Biology

Question 12: Ecology

Question 23: Anatomy and Physiology

Question 32: Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Question 44: Evolution and Biodiversity

Question 45: Genetics

Return to the MCAS 2019 Student Work Directory

Last Updated: May 5, 2020