(xi) Discuss various types of adaptation presentin a) desert animals b) desert plants c) mountain animals d) mountain plants e) aquatic animals aquatic plants
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
a) Adaptations of desert plants and animals-
1. In the desert, the plants are succulent and store water in fleshy leaves, stems or roots. The root system is highly developed for water absorption. In these pants the stem also performs photosynthesis. They have a thick cuticle on stems and leaves which protect from excessive transpiration. Desert plants follow the CAM pathway to prevent excessive water loss.
2. In the desert, animals show various adaptations. Reptiles such as snakes come in the open only at dawn or dusk. Some small desert animals live in burrows to escape the heat. Animals such as camels store fat in their hump. this helps them survive for a long time without food and water.
b) Adaptations of plants to water scarcity
Xerophytic plants are the plants that can survive water scarcity. They have the following adaptations. A thick cuticle on stems and leaves which protect from excessive transpiration. These plants show the presence of sunken stomata which reduce the loss of water. There are certain thick walled cells of hypodermis which do not allow the passage of water and prevents water loss. The leaves are reduced in size and may be modified to form the spines that reduce the surface area for transpiration. The root system is highly developed for water absorption. In these pants the stem also performs photosynthesis.
c) Behavioral adaptations in animals
Animals show various behavioral adaptations depending on the region.
Animals can be endotherms or ectotherms.
The animals that maintain a constant body temperature independent of the environment are called warm-blooded animals or endotherms. The animals that cannot maintain a constant body temperature and change it in accordance with the external environment are said to be cold blooded or ectotherms.
Aestivation and hibernation are also behavioral adaptations. The state of dormancy in some animals during winter is called hibernation. In these animals, the heart rate, metabolic rate and breathing rate is decreased. Aestivation is a response towards high temperature. It is characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate due to lack of potential to tolerate the heat.
d) Importance of light to plants
Photosynthesis is the process in which autotrophs such as green plants use carbon dioxide and water in presence of sunlight to synthesize nutrients such carbohydrates in the form of glucose and release oxygen. Also, flowering of plants is influenced by photoperiodism.
e) Effect of temperature or water scarcity and the adaptations of animals
1. Animals living in different regions show different kinds of temperature adaptations.
Animals found in colder regions have a large amount of subcutaneous fat and thick fur coat, short ears and limbs to prevent heat loss fro their body.
Animals found in the desert also show various adaptations. Camels store fat in their hump. This helps them survive for a long time without food and water. Reptiles such as snakes come in the open only at dawn or dusk. Some small desert animals live in burrows to escape the heat.
2. Animals that live in the desert have to face water scarcity and high temperatures. Animals such as camels store fat in their hump. This helps them survive for a long time without food and water. Animals such as the Kangaroo rat never drinks water in its entire life.
Discuss various types of adaptation present in a) desert animals b) desert plants c) mountain animals d) mountain plants e) aquatic animals (f) aquatic plants
[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{Desert Animals :-}}}}[ /tex]
How animals adapt to extremely arid conditions :-
- long eye lashes, hairy ears and closing nostrils help to keep out sand.
- thick eyebrows which stand out and shade eyes from the sun.
- wide feet so they don't sink in the sand.
- they can go without water for over a week because they can drink gallons in one go.
[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{Desert Plants :-}}}}[ /tex]
- In desert plants, leaves are modified into spines to reduce the loss of water through transpiration.
- Stem becomes green and performs photosynthesis, e.g., cactus.
- The leaves of desert plants are coated with thick cuticle to check the loss of water.
[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{Mountain Animals :-}}}}[ /tex]
- Animals in the mountains are adapted to live in extremely cold weather.
- Their body is covered with thick fur to protect them from the cold.
- They also have a thick layer of fat under the skin for insulation and protection from cold.
[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{Mountain Plants :-}}}}[ /tex]
- Mountain plants grow close to the ground to avoid being uprooted by strong winds.
- Also, these plants produce smaller leaves to prevent water loss.
- Some plants are also able to grow under a layer of snow.
[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{Aquatic Plants :-}}}}[ /tex]
- The plants living in water is also called as hydrophytes or macrophytes.
- The adaptations of aquatic plants are floating plants and dissected leaves.
[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{Aquatic Animals:-}}}}[ /tex]
The adaptations of aquatic animals are respiration through gills, locomotion through fins and tail, and streamlined body for better swimming.
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[tex]\color{red}\huge{\underline{\underline{\mathfrak{MORE TO KNOW! :-}}}}[ /tex]
- Fleas can jump 350 times its body length.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- Crocodiles cannot stick their tongue out.
- Starfish do not have a brain.
- Slugs have 4 noses.
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