Adaptation to Environment

Question 1

Mangrove High Salinity Adaptation

Answer 1

Root epidermis is coated in suberin which reduces permeability to salt and prevents excessive absorption

Secretion of excess salt from salt glands in the leaf which helps remove excess salt absorbed with water

Question 2

How Salinity, Soil pH, Wind and Minerals Affect Species Distribution

Answer 2

Affects water balance and uptake in organisms

Influences nutrient availability for plants

Affects plant growth and animal dispersal

Essential for growth and development

Question 3

How Temperature, Water Availability and Sunlight Affect Species Distribution

Answer 3

Affects metabolic activity, enzyme activity and survival

Essential for survival, and influences plant growth / animal behaviour

Drives photosynthesis in plants, and influences animal behaviour and Vitamin-D production

Question 4

Animal Adaptations in Tropical Rainforests

Answer 4

Arboreal life to adapt to live in trees

Camouflage to blend in with environment and avoid predators or ambush prey

Bright colors for communication and attracting mates

Specialized diets for animals to feed on specific resources to reduce competition

Question 5

Plant Adaptations in Tropical Rainforests

Answer 5

Drip tips to allow water to run off leaves to prevent fungal growth

Large leaves to maximize sunlight capture in unshaded areas

Buttress roots to provide stability in shallow soils

Epiphytic growth to allow plants to grow on others to reach sunlight

Question 6

How Precipitation Affects Distribution of Biomes

Answer 6

Precipitation is a direct source of water for plants, and determines the type of vegetation in a biome

Precipitation influences soil moisture content which affects the types of plants that grow there

High precipitation supports lush vegetation while low precipitation limits plant growth which leads to grasslands and deserts

Question 7

Habitat

Answer 7

The natural environment where an organism or community of organism lives, finds resources and reproduces

Question 8

Coral Water Depth Condition

Answer 8

Coral requires shallow water for sufficient sunlight for zooxanthellae to photosynthesize and provide nutrients to the coral, but coral in excessively deep water due to rising sea levels might not receive enough light to support healthy growth

Question 9

Coral pH Condition

Answer 9

Slightly alkaline waters for optimal coral growth and calcification, but ocean acidification reduces carbonate ion availability which makes it difficult for corals to build skeletons

Question 10

Mangrove Tidal Fluctuations and Water Uptake Adaptation

Answer 10

Roots that grow in a downwards arch to provide support and stability in the shifting tides and soft mud

Accumulation of mineral ions to increase solute potential of root and leaf cells, which allows water absorption from the saline environment

Question 11

Habitat Geographical Location

Answer 11

Where the species is found

Lat & Long: Precise coordinates on the Earth’s surface

Altitude: Height above sea level

Question 12

Coral Salinity Condition

Answer 12

Saltwater which is necessary for coral physiology but salinity that is too high or low can disrupt coral cell function and hinder growth

Question 13

Coral Water Temperature Condition

Answer 13

Water should be warm from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius as it’s optimal for coral metabolism and growth and allows for zooxanthellae to grow and photosynthesize efficiently. However, increased temperatures can stress corals which causes them to expel zooxanthellae and leads to coral starvation.

Question 14

Habitat Physical Location

Answer 14

Environmental characteristics where species lives

Topography: Landforms, mountains, valleys, plains

Soil Type: Composition and properties of soil

Water Availability: Rivers, lakes, oceans

Climate: Temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind patterns

Question 15

How Temperature Affects Distribution of Biomes

Answer 15

Temperature influences water availability through evaporation and transpiration

Affects metabolism and physiological processes of organisms

Partly determines the types of plants that can thrive in a particular region

Question 16

Ocean CO2 and Coral

Answer 16

The ocean is a major carbon sink, where CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid and quickly dissociates into H and HCO3, where H ions will lower ocean pH. However due to the presence of carbonate ions, they neutralize

However, the rising levels of CO2 from the atmosphere causes an increase in H ions, which makes less free carbonate ions available to neutralize the H which causes a decrease in ocean pH, dissolving and thinning coral exoskeletons

Question 17

What is a Biome

Answer 17

A group of ecosystems with similar communities

Question 18

Grass Low Water Availability Adaptation

Answer 18

Deep roots that access water deep below the surface

Rolled leaves that reduce water loss by trapping moist air inside

Sunken stomata that are located in pits to reduce water loss

Waxy cuticle on outer layer of leaves to prevent evaporation and water loss

Question 19

Mangrove Low Oxygen and Seed Dispersal Adaptation

Answer 19

Aerial roots that project above the water to absorb oxygen from the air to use in roots

Large buoyant seeds which can be carried by ocean tides to distant muddy shores

Question 20

Coral Water Clarity Condition

Answer 20

Clear water to allow sunlight to reach zooxanthellae, but turbid water reduces light penetration which reduces rate of photosynthesis from zooxanthellae and hinders coral growth

Question 21

Plant Adaptations in Hot Deserts

Answer 21

Succulence to store water in stems or leaves

Reduced leaves to minimize water loss through transpiration

Deep roots to access water deep below the surface

CAM photosynthesis to reduce water loss by opening stomata at night

Thick cuticle to reduce water loss and evaporation

Question 22

Habitat Ecosystem Type

Answer 22

Biological community where species exists

Terrestrial Ecosystem: Forests, deserts, tundra

Aquatic Ecosystems: Freshwater (lakes, rivers), marine (oceans, coral reefs)

Question 23

Animal Adaptations in Hot Deserts

Answer 23

Nocturnal activity to avoid the heat of day

Have long loops of henle to conserve water and produce concentrated urine

Burrow to escape heat and find moisture underground

Have large ears to radiate heat away from the body to cool it down

Question 24

Grass High Temperatures, Unstable Sand and Wind Adaptation

Answer 24

Hairs on leaves that reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption

Rhizomes that act like a net to hold sand together to prevent erosion and stabilize it

Flexible leaves to bend without breaking in strong winds