A1.1.6 Physical properties of water and the consequences for animals in aquatic habitats Flashcards
What adaptations do ringed seals have for buoyancy?
Their fat-rich blubber, which is less dense than water, enhances buoyancy, helping them float effortlessly or dive with minimal effort.
What challenges do terrestrial and aerial animals face due to air’s low specific heat capacity?
Air’s low specific heat capacity allows for rapid temperature changes, requiring animals to adapt to fluctuating temperatures.
How does the viscosity of water compare to air?
Water has a viscosity about 50 times greater than air.
Why do warm-blooded animals like ringed seals need adaptations for thermal regulation in water?
Warm-blooded animals face significant heat loss in water due to its high thermal conductivity, requiring adaptations like blubber for insulation.
What is the impact of air’s low viscosity on the black-throated loon during flight?
Air’s low viscosity allows for relatively frictionless movement, but the loon must overcome air resistance during takeoff.
What are the consequences of the contrasting physical properties of water and air for the black-throated loon and ringed seal?
- Energy expenditure: Loon generates lift in air vs. seal benefits from buoyancy.
- Thermoregulation: Loon’s feathers vs. seal’s blubber.
- Environmental stability: Loon adapts to variable air temps vs. seal’s stability in water.
How does water’s thermal conductivity compare to air’s?
Water has a much higher thermal conductivity than air, meaning it conducts heat away from the body more efficiently.
How does specific heat capacity affect thermal stability in aquatic environments?
Water’s high specific heat capacity makes aquatic environments thermally stable, benefiting organisms by reducing dramatic temperature fluctuations.
Define viscosity.
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow, determined by the internal friction between its molecules.
What is the difference in buoyancy between water and air?
- In water: Buoyancy is significant due to water’s density, allowing organisms to float with less energy.
- In air: Buoyancy is negligible, requiring organisms to generate lift to counteract gravity.
What is one adaptation ringed seals use to overcome drag in water?
They streamline their bodies to reduce drag.
What adaptations do ringed seals have to combat heat loss in water?
They rely on thick blubber layers for insulation and use a counter-current heat exchange system in their blood vessels.
What is one way the black-throated loon reduces heat loss when diving?
The loon relies on its dense, waterproof feathers that trap insulating air pockets to reduce heat loss while diving.
