Plant And Animal Adaptation

Question 1

Describe a pencil bush

Answer 1

It is a succulent meaning it stores water in its stems, the sap that it holds prevents animals from eating it.

Question 2

Describe the quiver tree

Answer 2

It is covered in a white powder which reflects sunlight, it removes its own branches to stop evapotranspiration

Question 3

Describe the welwitschia plant

Answer 3

It has a slow growth rate so it can live for more than 1450 years, it stores food from underground

Question 4

Describe the landscape and climate of the Namib desert

Answer 4

Climate is arid with sparse, unpredictable rainfall, temperatures vary but cooler along the coast and hotter inland
The coastal fog is the only reliable moisture in the region
The coastal fogs and variations in temperature are the result of the interaction between two prevailing winds

Question 5

Describe some adaptations of plants

Answer 5

Pale, reflective leaves
Spines to prevent animals from eating them
Waxy leaves to prevent water loss

Question 6

Describe the influence of a lack of cloud on the temperatures of hot deserts

Answer 6

Desert skies are often cloudless or have very little cloud, this causes very high temperatures
However at night, without clouds to stop the heat escaping, the temperature drops rapidly
Low temperatures at night can result in the condensation of water vapour, forming dew

Question 7

Describe freeze thaw weathering

Answer 7

Water gets into cracks of rocks and the low temperature causes the water to freeze, breaking the rocks

Question 8

Describe the influence of relief on precipitation

Answer 8

Moist air is forced to rise by high ground
Air expands and cools
Condensation forms clouds
Rain falls from clouds
Descending air is compressed so warms and it’s relative humidity reduces so there is no rain