Biology- Adaptation to environment

B4.1

lyme grass adaptations to sand dunes (any 3)

thick waxy cuticle- reduce transpiration

stomata in furrows- humid air can remain even when its windy

leaves roll up during drought- humid chambers, reduced SA exposed to wind

tough sclerenchyma- prevents wilting during drought

rhizomes- grow upwards through sand and deep to get water

accumulation of carbs like fructans in roots to increase water potential

mangrove tree adaptations (any 3)

expel excess salt from salt glands in leaf

root epidermis coated in cork preventing excess absorption and permeability to salt

cable roots grow close to surface, more oxygen

pneumatophores- vertical root branches to absorb oxygen

stilt roots grow in outward arch to support the trees in soft mud

large buoyant seeds- carried by ocean to distant muddy shores

accumulation of mineral ions and C compounds like mannitol increasing osmotic potential of roots and leaves- allow for absorption of water from saline environment

distribution maps

maps that reflect factors (esp abiotic) that effect species

saguaro cactus adaptations (any 3)

wide spreading root system- 30m

deep tap roots upto 1m into subsoil

fat steps with storage tissue to conserve water

pleated stems that allow shrinkage in drought and swelling in rain

vertical orientation of stems- reduce interception of sunlight in midday and maximize it at cooler times of day

thick waxy cuticle- less transpiration

leaves reduced to spines- less transpiration, prevents herbivores eating it

CAM metabolism- open stomata at night and close during the day, reducing transpiration

fennec fox adaptations (any 3)

nocturnal- avoids high temps in day

underground den

lock thick hair- heat insulation during cold nights and hot days

hair on pads of feet- hot sand

pale coat reflects sun

large ears radiate heat

variable ventilation rate that can increase to more than 600 breaths per minute (panting)- heat loss through evaporation

meranti adaptation to rain forest

grows taller than other trees- receives sunlight

hard dense wood helps it with wind stress

trunk buttressed at base bc rainforest soil is shallow

smooth trunk- shed rainwater

broad oval leaves with pointed tips- shed rainwater

enzymes of photosynthesis can survive in high temps

flowers seeds produced once every 5 years- prevents things from depending on it as a source of food

spider monkey adaptations

long arms and legs

prehensile tails, extra limb

strong shoulders

feet that are like extra hands

hook like hands without thumbs

highly developed larynx- can make variety of sounds over the noisy rainforest

active in daytime- vision most acute for judging distance between branches

breeding any time of year- there is consistent supply of fruit