Adaptations

Question 1

How are animals adapted to living in very cold conditions?

Answer 1

Some animals are adapted to living in very cold conditions. They keep warm by reducing heat loss.

Question 2

What are the anatomical adaptations that help reduce heat loss?

Answer 2

• They have excellent insulation to cut down heat lose. The arctic fox has a thick fur that traps plenty of air for insulation. Seals have thin fur but a thick layer of fat under the skin.
• These animals are usually quite large, with small ears. This helps to decrease heat loss by decreasing the surface area to volume ratio.

Question 3

Behavioural adaptations to cold.

Answer 3

Animals may try to avoid cold by changing their behaviours. Some migrate long distances to warmer areas. Others slow down all their body processes and hibernate.

Question 4

What is a counter-current heat exchange mechanism?

Answer 4

Penguins have a counter-current heat exchange mechanisms to help reduce heat loss. The warm blood entering the flippers warms up the cold blood leaving, to stop it cooling the body.

Question 5

What adapatations might other organisms that live in cold climates have?

Answer 5

Biochemical adaptations, such as antifreeze proteins in their cells

Question 6

What are the behavioral adaptations that help organisms lose heat?

Answer 6

• Panting and licking fur.
• Seeking shade during the hotter hours around the middle of the day.

Question 7

What are the anatomical adaptations for animals that help them lose heat?

Answer 7

• Camels increase their loss of heat by having very little hair on the underside of their bodies.
• Animals that live in hot areas are usually smaller and have larger ears than similar animals that live in cold areas. These factors give them a larger surface area to volume ratio, so they can lose more heat.

Question 8

To cope with dry conditions, organisms have behavioural, anatomical and physiological adaptations. For example:

Answer 8

• Camels can survive with little water because they can produce very concentrated urine.
• Cacti reduce water loss because their leaves have been reduced to spines. They also have deep roots and can store water in the stem.

Question 9

What are extremophiles?

Answer 9

Organisms that can survive in hot conditions are called extremophiles. Some bacteria can live in hot springs as they have enzymes that do not denature at temperatures as high as 100 °C.

Question 10

What are specialists?

Answer 10

Some organisms, like polar bears, are called specialists, as they are well adapted to living in specific habitats. They would struggle to live elsewhere.

Question 11

What is an example of a generalist?

Answer 11

• Rats can live in several habitats these organisms are called generalists.
• They will lose to the specialists in certain habitats.