How Animals Receive and Process Information
Help Questions
4th Grade Science › How Animals Receive and Process Information
Which of the following is NOT an example of a feature an animal may use to receive information about its surroundings?
Whiskers
Ears
Sight
Stomach
Explanation
Animals have many different features that they use to receive information about their surroundings. For example, a cat can use its whiskers to determine whether its body would fit through a tight space. Moths use their sense of hearing to avoid being hunted by bats. Birds of prey have long-distance sight to be able to spot prey from far away.
Animals have different sense receptors that are specialized for particular kinds of information.
True
False
Explanation
This is a true statement. Animals have specific receptors that do a specialized job. Animals use their five sense just like humans to take in information that later is processed. They may have different levels of abilities with the senses (exceptional eyesight, night vision, echolocation, etc.), but they all use them to receive information.
The brain is where all information received from the senses is processed.
True
False
Explanation
Animals take in information through their five senses, just like humans. Once the information is received, it is processed for understanding and reaction. The brain is the hub for all processing. The mind will send out messages to the rest of the body with instructions on how to react or behave with the information the five senses collected.
The brain is where all information received from the senses is processed.
True
False
Explanation
Animals take in information through their five senses, just like humans. Once the information is received, it is processed for understanding and reaction. The brain is the hub for all processing. The mind will send out messages to the rest of the body with instructions on how to react or behave with the information the five senses collected.
Platypus have a "sixth-sense" that allows them to hunt underwater: electroreception. To find meals in the mud, it uses its bill to detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Receptors on the bill detect changes in pressure and motion. Two types of receptors track the electrical signals produced by small prey when they contract their muscles. The platypus moves its head side-to-side to determine the direction and distance of its next meal by collecting and processing this sensory information. The platypus has about 40,000 of these special receptors.
Based on the passage, which of the following sentences best describes how the platypus processes an electrical signal?
The platypus’ tail first detects the signal and works as an oar to turn it in the right direction.
The platypus’ eyes see the movement of the electrical signal, which is then processed by its brain.
The platypus cannot process electrical signals because it is a platypus.
The platypus’ bill detects the movement of the electrical signal, which is then processed by its brain.
Explanation
The passage explains that platypus use electroreception signals via their bills to locate prey. Their bill may first detect the signal, but their brains must process the signal to then begin their hunt. Remember that the brain processes all information received from the senses.
Animals have different sense receptors that are specialized for particular kinds of information.
True
False
Explanation
This is a true statement. Animals have specific receptors that do a specialized job. Animals use their five sense just like humans to take in information that later is processed. They may have different levels of abilities with the senses (exceptional eyesight, night vision, echolocation, etc.), but they all use them to receive information.
Which of the following is NOT an example of a feature an animal may use to receive information about its surroundings?
Whiskers
Ears
Sight
Stomach
Explanation
Animals have many different features that they use to receive information about their surroundings. For example, a cat can use its whiskers to determine whether its body would fit through a tight space. Moths use their sense of hearing to avoid being hunted by bats. Birds of prey have long-distance sight to be able to spot prey from far away.
Platypus have a "sixth-sense" that allows them to hunt underwater: electroreception. To find meals in the mud, it uses its bill to detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Receptors on the bill detect changes in pressure and motion. Two types of receptors track the electrical signals produced by small prey when they contract their muscles. The platypus moves its head side-to-side to determine the direction and distance of its next meal by collecting and processing this sensory information. The platypus has about 40,000 of these special receptors.
Based on the passage, which of the following sentences best describes how the platypus processes an electrical signal?
The platypus’ tail first detects the signal and works as an oar to turn it in the right direction.
The platypus’ eyes see the movement of the electrical signal, which is then processed by its brain.
The platypus cannot process electrical signals because it is a platypus.
The platypus’ bill detects the movement of the electrical signal, which is then processed by its brain.
Explanation
The passage explains that platypus use electroreception signals via their bills to locate prey. Their bill may first detect the signal, but their brains must process the signal to then begin their hunt. Remember that the brain processes all information received from the senses.
True or false: The way an organism gathers information depends on the organism and its individual body structures.
True
False
Explanation
Many animals, like humans, have sense organs that gather information from the environment through seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, and tasting. Some animals have sensory receptors or other mechanisms that allow them to sense such things as light, temperature, moisture, and movement. Because animals live in different environments from one another and have multiple different types of prey/predators, they must gather information in different ways, which best benefits their species.
True or false: A chameleon changing colors is an example of an animal processing information.
True
False
Explanation
A chameleon changing colors is a perfect example of the nervous system (brain) at work. When the chameleon’s skin experiences a change in temperature or mood, its brain processes the shift and reacts appropriately by expanding and contracting cells that contain pigment sacs. Just like any other animal, the chameleon is reliant on its mind to process external stimuli.