Plant And Animal Adaptations (hot Arid) Flashcards
State four points about the prickly pear…
1) stores water in its fleshy stems
2) waxy skin seals in moisture and reduces water loss by transpiration
3) spines (modifies leaves) reduce water loss through transpiration
4) spines provide protection against animals.
State four points about the creosote bush (evil villain)…
1) long lateral taproots absorb water even at a distance.
2) stomata close during the day to reduce transpiration loss.
3) high surface area to volume ratio, small leaves to optimise the rate at which heat escapes and moisture is retained
4) gives off a toxic substance to deter other plants growing nearby and therefore competing for same water.
Explain by the creosote bush is sometimes called the evil villain….
It gives off a toxic substance to deter other plants from growing nearby and therefore competing for the same water.
State four points about the desert verbena…
1) they germinate after heavy seasonal rainfall
2) they complete their life cycle very quickly-within just weeks they flower, set seed and die
3) the seeds remain dormant until the next rains
4) have no physiological adaptation to drought, they are simply drought evading
State 5 ways succulents such as the saguaro cactus cope with drought…
1) store water in their fleshy leaves or stem
2) they collect and store water during seasonal rain and use this water in dry periods
3) to reduce transpiration they close stomata during day and open them at night when it is cooler
4) stomata are sunk in grooves
5) thickened waxy leaves which act like waterproofing to reduce water loss
6) many succulents have a CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) which allows them to carry out photosynthesis when their stomata are closed during the day
What is CAM?
Crassulacean acid metabolism, this allows succulents to carry out photosynthesis when their stomata are closed during the day
Name the two animals we are expected to know about:
Fennel fox and the kangaroo Rat
Where does the fennel fox live?
In the Sahara Desert
How much does the fennel fox weigh?
1.5 kg
How tall is the fennel fox?
200mm
Where does the kangaroo Rat live?
South West USA and Mexico
How much does the kangaroo rat weigh?
180grams
How long is the kangaroo rat?
100-200mm
State 5 adaptations of the fennel fox….
1) lives in burrows during the day to avoid heat
2) soles of feet are protected by due to run across hot sand
3) excretes highly concentrated urine
4) light coloured coat reflects heat
5) large ears with blood vessels close to surface to lose body heat
State 5 adaptations of the kangaroo rat…
1) lives in burrows during the day to avoid heat
2) reduced water loss via respiration by cooling exhaled air in nasal passage
3) does not need to drink, instead gets water from food
4) licks due to keep cool
5) does not perspire
6) highly efficient kidneys, highly concentrated urine and dry droppings
