Video Transcript
The photo shows a type of insect called a jack jumper ant. These ants have antennae, large compound eyes, and stingers. How do these adaptations help the jack jumper ant? (A) These adaptations help the ant move swiftly over surfaces. (B) These adaptations help the ant camouflage and evade detection. Or (C) these adaptations help the ant detect, capture, and consume its prey.
The adaptations of the jack jumper ant that are listed in the question’s stem are all
examples of structural adaptations. These are special physical features of organisms that make them well suited to their
environment. There are various benefits to having different structural adaptations. For instance, having many nimble legs may help an organism like the jack jumper ant
move quickly around its environment, as described in answer choice (A), to capture
prey and escape predators. However, the characteristics of these ants′ legs are not any of the adaptations
listed in the question’s stem. So this cannot be the correct answer to this question.
Another example of a useful structural adaptation is matching the background
coloration of an environment. This helps the jack jumper ant to camouflage and evade detection by both predators
and prey, as described in answer choice (B). Again, coloration that blends in with the environment is not one of the adaptations
in the question stem, so this option must be incorrect too.
The adaptations listed describe two sensory organs: antennae and compound eyes. These would both be helpful in detecting prey using touch and vision. The adaptations listed also include these ants possessing stingers. This would be helpful in capturing and incapacitating prey once it has been detected
so that it can be consumed. So, the correct answer is (C). These adaptations help the ant detect, capture, and consume its prey.
