LO4 plant and animal adaptations

compare the three types of photosynthesis and explain which environment each is best adapted to

C3: plants in areas without water limitation

C4: plants typically in arid, salty, tropical or subtropical environments

CAM: adaptation to deserts, extremely low rainfall

explain the role of stomata in plant physiology and explain the costs and benefits ofstomatal opening and closing

stomata are open when: the concentration of CO2 in the air outside the leaf is greater than that inside the leaf. CO2 in the leaf is constantly being converted into sugar = gradient is maintained

stomata are closed when: photosynthesis and the demand for CO2 are reduced for any reason. the stomata close when there is a need to conserve water, high temperatures, or darkness.

identify and analyze key plant adaptations to diverse environments and defenses against herbivory

plant adaptations to diverse environments: increased root production, reduction in leaf area, changes in leaf size/shape, dropping leaves before dry season. certain specialized adaptation depending on environmental conditions.

plant adaptations against herbivory: thorns, spikes, prickles, hairs, tough leaves/bark, toxins, poisons, bitter compounds, sticky resins.

describe key physiological processes that animals share across taxa

4 processes that animals share across taxa:

1. acquiring and digesting food

2. absorbing oxygen

3. maintaining body temperature and water balance

4. adapting to daily and seasonal environmental changes

classify the types of animal diets and explain adaptations associated for each one

4 categories of animal diets:

1. herbivores (feed only on plant tissue) adaptations include specialized mouthparts like flat teeth, long digestive tract, chemoreceptors in nose/mouth

2. carnivores (eat other animals) adaptations include strong jaws, hunting strategies, keen senses, short digestive tract with high acidity

3. omnivores (eat both plants and animals) adaptations include both sharp and flat teeth, foraging, medium length intestines, acute sensory systems

4. detritivores/decomposers (eat dead organic matter)

explain how animals regulate their temperature and distinguish between endothermy and ectothermy

animals regulate body temperature through behavior (poikilotherm), physiology, and morphology.

endothermy: process of maintaining body temperature through internally generated metabolic heat

ectothermy: process of maintaining body temperature through exchange of thermal energy with the surrounding environment

describe adaptations of poikilotherms to changing temperatures

1. seek out appropriate microclimates

2. undergo temperature acclimation

3. change conduction of heat

4. tolerance to freezing

describe adaptations of homeotherms to changing temperatures

to increase heat: insulation, shivering, brown fat

to decrease heat: evaporation cooling, panting/sweating, wallow in water/wet mud

compare and contrast torpor and hibernation in animals

torpor: dropping of body temperature to near ambient temperature for part of the day

hibernation: dropping of body temperature to near ambient temperature over a period of time during winter