in the passage backstage drama This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A
Read this dictionary entry.

flourish \′flur-ish\ n

an act of brandishing or waving
a decorative or finishing detail
a period of thriving or growth
a sudden burst
Which dictionary meaning most closely matches the meaning of flourish as it is used in paragraph 6?
Answer choices for the above question

definition 1

definition 2

definition 3

definition 4
Part B
Which words from the passage best support the answer in Part A?
Answer choices for the above question

“muffled dialogue” (passage introduction)

“whispers loudly” (paragraph 2)

“looks frantically” (paragraph 6)

“carrying an armload” (paragraph 13)

Part A: definition 3

Part B: “looks frantically” (paragraph 6)

Describe the respiratory system of a squid.

The respiratory system of a squid consists of gills, which are located in the mantle cavity. Water is taken in through the squid's siphon and is then directed over the gills. Here, oxygen from the water is absorbed into the squid's bloodstream while carbon dioxide is released. The gills play a crucial role in the squid's respiration, allowing it to extract oxygen from water in order to sustain bodily functions.

Describe the digestive system process and structures involved within a squid.

The digestive system of a squid consists of several structures that work together to break down food for absorption and waste elimination.

When a squid catches prey, it uses its strong beak to tear the food into smaller pieces. The food then enters the mouth and passes through the esophagus into the stomach. The stomach of a squid contains enzymes that help break down the food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed.

From the stomach, the partially digested food enters the cecum, a sac-like structure that absorbs nutrients. Waste products then move into the intestine, where further digestion and absorption of nutrients occur. The intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

The undigested food, along with waste products, passes through the rectum and is then expelled through the anus.

Overall, the digestive system of a squid allows for the breakdown of food into nutrients that can be absorbed and used by the organism, while waste is eliminated from the body.

Describe the reproductive system and structures involved of a squid.

The reproductive system of a squid includes both male and female reproductive structures. Squids are dioecious, meaning they have separate sexes.

In males, the reproductive structures include the testes, which are responsible for producing sperm. The sperm is then transferred from the testes to the seminal vesicle, where it is stored before being released during mating. The sperm is ejected from the male's body through a structure called the , which is used to transfer sperm to the female.

In females, the reproductive structures include the ovaries, which produce eggs. The eggs are released into the mantle cavity through the oviduct. During mating, the female receives sperm from the male through a specialized arm called a hectocotylus, which transfers the sperm packets into the female's body.

Fertilization of the eggs takes place internally, and the fertilized eggs are then deposited in gelatinous masses called egg cases. These egg cases may be anchored to the ocean floor or left to drift in the water, depending on the species.

Overall, the reproductive system of a squid allows for the production of eggs and sperm, their transfer and fertilization, and the development of new offspring.