Lesson 6: Adaptations to environment Flashcards
adaptations of polar bears to extreme cold
thick fur and blubber for insulation
How do plants adapt to sand dunes?
Plants like marram grass have deep roots to access water and rolled leaves to reduce water loss.
How do mangroves adapt to their environment?
Mangroves have pneumatophores (aerial roots) for oxygen uptake and salt-excreting leaves to tolerate high salinity.
How do abiotic variables affect species distribution?
Abiotic variables determine where a species can live. Each species has a range of tolerance for these factors, beyond which it cannot survive.
What is the range of tolerance?
The range of tolerance is the range of environmental conditions within which an organism can survive and function optimally.
What are the conditions required for coral reef formation?
Warm water temperatures (20–28°C).
Shallow, clear water for sunlight penetration.
Stable salinity levels (30–37 ppt).
Hard substrates for coral attachment.
Low levels of sedimentation and pollution.
define adaptation
the process by which organisms develop traits that enhance their survival and reproduction in specific environments.
What are the main abiotic factors determining terrestrial biome distribution?
temperature, precipitation, soil type, and light intensity.
define biomes
groups of ecosystems with similar communities due to similar abiotic conditions and convergent evolution
State the adaptations to life in hot deserts (plants)
Succulent stems (e.g., cacti) to store water, reduced leaf sizes to minimize water loss.
State the adaptations to life in hot deserts (animals)
Nocturnal behavior to avoid heat, burrowing to stay cool.
State the adaptations to life in tropical rainforests (plants)
Broad leaves to capture sunlight, drip tips to shed excess water.
State the adaptations to life in tropical rainforests (animals)
Bright colors for camouflage or communication, strong limbs for climbing.
