Adaptations Flashcards
Animals that live in hot, dry conditions need to keep [ ] and use [ ]
cool
water efficiently
Name an adaptation of dessert animals that lets them cool off. How?
Large surface area compared to volume - Lets animals lose more body heat and therefore stops them overheating
How are dessert animals adapted to be efficient with water?
1) They lose less water by producing small amounts of concentrated urine
2) They make very little sweat. Camels are able to do this by tolerating big changes in body temp, while kangaroo rats live in burrows underground where it’s cooll
Describe skin and fat layers of dessert animals
-very thin layers of body fat and a thin coat to help them lose body heat
Describe camouflage of dessert animals
A sandy colour gives good camouflage - to help them avoid predators or sneak up on prey
Arctic animals have adapted to reduce [ ]
Heat loss
Name an adaptation of arctic animals that reduces heat loss. How?
Small surface area compared to volume - animals living in cold conditions have a compact shape to keep their surface area to a minimum - this reduces heat loss
Describe skin and fat layers of arctic animals
1) Thick layer of blubber for insulation - this also acts as an energy source when food is scarce
2) Thick hairy coats keep body heat in, and greasy fur sheds water (this prevents cooling due to evaporation)
Describe camouflage of arctic animals
Arctic animals have white fur to help them avoid predators, or sneak up on prey
Desert plants have adapted to having [ ]
Little water
How do plants prevent water loss?
1) Plants lose water vapour from the surface of their leaves. Cacti have spines instead of leaves - to reduce water loss
2) Small surface area compared to their size which also reduces water loss
How do plants store water in dessert conditions?
Water storage tissues - eg, a cactus stores water in its thick stem
How to plants maximise water absorption?
Some cacti have shallow but extensive roots to absorb water quickly over a large area. Others have deep roots to access underground water
Some plants and animals are adapted to deter [ ]
Predators
Some plants and animals have [ ] - like roses ([ ]), cacti (sharp spines) and tortoises ([ ])
armour
thorns
shells
