Desert and Desert-Scrub Biomes

Question 1

How much of the Earth do deserts cover

Answer 1

1/5 of Earth’s surface

Question 2

What causes deserts

Answer 2

extremely low rainfall

Question 3

Temperature ranges in deserts

Answer 3

100+ degrees F and cool to the 40’s at night

Question 4

Are most animals in deserts nocturnal or diurnal

Answer 4

nocturnal

Question 5

What properties have plants in desert regions evolved

Answer 5

water-retaining properties

Question 6

Where do arid deserts occur

Answer 6

N. America, S. America, Africa, and S. Asia

Question 7

What is the climate in arid deserts like

Answer 7

hot and dry

Question 8

Where do semi-arid deserts occur

Answer 8

N. America, Europe, Russia, and N. Asia

Question 9

What is the climate like in semi-arid desserts

Answer 9

less dry and have more defined seasons

Question 10

Temperature ranges in coastal deserts

Answer 10

moderately warm to cool temperatures

Question 11

Seasons in costal deserts

Answer 11

short, cool winters and long, warm, summers

Question 12

Precipitation in cold deserts

Answer 12

a moderate amount of snow and rain during summer

Question 13

What is the soil like in cold deserts

Answer 13

heavy soil

Question 14

What is the soil like in coastal deserts

Answer 14

sandy, porous soil

Question 15

Most animals in cold deserts are………

Answer 15

burrowers

Question 16

What is the ecoregion of the desert biome

Answer 16

desert scrub

Question 17

What is the prominent plant life of deserts

Answer 17

shrubs

Question 18

Shrubs can be either ……….. or ………….

Answer 18

evergreen; deciduous

Question 19

Shrubs in the deserts have an extensive ……… and open network of ……….

Answer 19

root system; plants

Question 20

Which desert is known as the greatest desert

Answer 20

Sahara Desert

Question 21

The Sahara Desert is as big as the ……….

Answer 21

Unites States

Question 22

Sand dunes in the Sahara Desert can reach as high as …….

Answer 22

600 feet

Question 23

What adaptations to the desert do organisms have

Answer 23

temperature regulation
metabolism
water loss

Question 24

How do organisms regulate their temperature

Answer 24

some have long ears with many blood vessels
fat storage in one area of the body
burrowing

Question 25

How do organisms regulate their metabolism

Answer 25

hibernating

Question 26

How do organisms regulate water loss

Answer 26

no sweat glands

salt glands

Question 27

What special adaptations do major flora of the desert have

Answer 27

waxy coating to minimize transpiration

extensive root system

Question 28

What are examples of flora in the desert

Answer 28

Barrel Cactus, Creosote, Saguaro

Question 29

Vinegaroon

Answer 29

whip scorpion
mimics actual scorpion
arachnid

Question 30

Where can the Vinegaroon be found

Answer 30

Southern US and Mexico

Question 31

What does the Vinegaroon do when provoked

Answer 31

gives off a vinegar smelling odor