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Questions and Answers
What is the physiological adaptation that allows organisms to respond quickly to a stressful situation?
What is the name of the rule that explains why mammals from colder climates have shorter ears and limbs?
What is the purpose of the thick layer of fat (blubber) in aquatic mammals like seals?
What is the main reason for experiencing altitude sickness at high altitudes?
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How does the body adapt to high altitude conditions to overcome altitude sickness?
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What is the temperature range at which most animals' metabolic reactions and physiological functions proceed optimally?
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According to the passage, how do fish in Antarctic waters prevent their body fluids from freezing?
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How do marine invertebrates and fish survive under extremely high pressures in the deep ocean?
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What is the main focus of the passage?
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How do desert lizards maintain a constant body temperature?
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What is the main difference between the adaptations of Antarctic fish and desert lizards mentioned in the passage?
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According to the passage, what is a population?
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Study Notes
Adaptations to Extreme Environments
- Antarctic fish thrive in waters with temperatures below 0°C, and manage to keep their body fluids from freezing.
- Marine invertebrates and fish living at great depths in the ocean (>100 times normal atmospheric pressure) have adaptations to cope with crushing pressures.
Biochemical Adaptations
- Organisms in extreme environments show a fascinating array of biochemical adaptations to survive.
- Some organisms exhibit behavioural responses to cope with environmental variations.
Desert Adaptations
- Desert lizards lack physiological ability to deal with high temperatures, but manage to keep their body temperature fairly constant by:
- Basking in the sun and absorbing heat when body temperature drops below the comfort zone.
- Moving into shade when ambient temperature increases.
- Burrowing into the soil to hide and escape from above-ground heat.
Population Attributes
- In nature, majority of species live in groups in a well-defined geographical area, sharing or competing for similar resources, and potentially interbreeding.
- They constitute a population with specific attributes.
Thermoregulation Adaptations
- Mammals from colder climates have shorter ears and limbs to minimize heat loss (Allen's Rule).
- Aquatic mammals like seals have a thick layer of fat (blubber) below their skin that acts as an insulator and reduces body heat loss.
Physiological Adaptations
- Some organisms possess adaptations that allow them to respond quickly to stressful situations.
- At high altitudes (>3,500m), the body compensates low oxygen availability by:
- Increasing red blood cell production.
- Decreasing the binding affinity of hemoglobin.
- Increasing breathing rate.
High-Altitude Adaptations
- Tribes living in high altitudes (e.g., Himalayas) have a higher red blood cell count (or total hemoglobin) than people living in the plains.
Temperature Tolerance
- In most animals, metabolic reactions and physiological functions proceed optimally in a narrow temperature range (e.g., 37°C in humans).
- However, some microbes (archaebacteria) flourish in hot springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents where temperatures exceed 100°C.
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Description
Test your knowledge on biological adaptations in mammals, including Allen's Rule, blubber insulation in aquatic mammals, and physiological responses to stressful situations. Explore how organisms adapt to colder climates and high altitudes.
