Bio 14.2 Extreme adaptations

Question 1

What are some adaptations of desert plants?

Answer 1

• Large, fleshy stems to store water.
• Thorns/spikes or glossy leaves to reduce water loss.
• Sometimes lie dormant for years until it rains.
• Have fewer stomata to reduce transpiration.
• Low-lying to keep the hot, dry wind blowing and increasing transpiration.

Question 2

What are some adaptations of desert animals?

Answer 2

• Get all the moisture from the food they eat.
• Great sense of hearing to hear predators.
• Live in burrows during the day to avoid the heat.
• Large ears to radiate heat/
• Light-coloured skin to reflect the sun’s rays.
• Concentrated urine.

Question 3

What are some adaptations of arctic plants?

Answer 3

• Have a waxy, fuzzy coating to shield from cold wind.
• Slow-growing lichens can survive on bare rock with little moisture.
• Plants are perennials; they can survive long periods so they can immediately photosynthesize when there is sunlight.
• Low-lying to keep from the cold, dry wind.

Question 4

What are some adaptations of arctic animals?

Answer 4

• Heavy winter fur/coats to keep warm.
• Efficient, rounded bodies to prevent heat loss.
• Some migrate to warmer climates.
• Some animals hibernate or burrow in insulated tunnels.
• Some camouflage from predators in the snow.

Question 5

What are some adaptations of ocean animals?

Answer 5

• Many rely on smell and hearing senses to detect prey or predators.
• They move slowly to conserve energy.
• Some create light (a chemical reaction in their tissues) to attract smaller prey.