structural adaptations to the environment taks. structural adaptations to the environment every...
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Structural adaptations to the environment
• Every species is uniquely adapted to its environment
• This ensures the survival of the species
Structural adaptations to the environment
Camels• Heavy insulation of
fur on backs• Long eye lashes to
protect eyes from sand
• Legs long and not fatty
• Walks on two toes protected from heat by pads of tissue
Structural adaptations to the environment
Camels• Kidney reabsorbs
most of the water in urine
• Able to drink rapidly to replenish water losses – but does not store water in body (27 gallons in 10 mins!)
• Tolerates high levels of dehydration of body tissues
Structural adaptations to the environment
Camels• Tolerates wide
range of body core temperatures
• Feces so dry they can be burned immediately
Structural adaptations to the environment
Desert rats• Survive by avoiding
the conditions camels thrive in
• Live underground in burrows only coming out at night
• Rarely if ever drinks water
Structural adaptations to the environment
Desert rats• Water supply
comes from the respiration of its food
• Produces a virtually solid urine
• Virtually no sweat glands
Structural adaptations to the environment
Plants• Mesophytes –
plants living where water is readily available
• Xerophytes – plants living in areas where water is in short supply
• Halophytes – plants living in salty areas
Structural adaptations to the environment
Mesophytes• Includes native
plants of Britain• Can control their
rate of transpiration• Close their stomata
at times of water stress
• Can easily recover from short periods of wilting
Structural adaptations to the environment
Xerophytes• Reduction of leaves to
fine spikes, reducing transpiration
• Stem has hard thick epidermis and a waxy cuticle
• Can fix carbon dioxide at night so stomata remain closed during the day
Structural adaptations to the environment
Xerophytes• Marram grass (see
notes from earlier in course)
• Reduced number of stomata sunk deep into grooves
• Leaves roll up into cylinder shape –trapping moist air within leaf
• Interlocking hairs reduce transpiration
Structural adaptations to the environment
Halophytes• Although often
surrounded by water it is usually salty
• Actively absorb salts into their roots so roots have a lower water potential than surrounding water
• Also have many xeromorphic features to help them conserve water
Structural adaptations to the environment
Adaptations in humans to high altitudes
• Greater depth of breathing, higher lung capacity and larger tidal volumes
• Blood has a higher affinity for oxygen
• Oxygen dissociation curve is shifted to the left
• Darker skins to combat higher UV radiation levels