Structural Adaptations to the Environment TAKS. Structural adaptations to the environment Every species is uniquely adapted to its environment This ensures.

Structural Adaptations to

the Environment

TAKS

Structural adaptations to the environment

• Every species is uniquely adapted to its environment

• This ensures the survival of the species


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


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


Camels• Tolerates wide

range of body core temperatures

• Feces so dry they can be burned immediately


Desert rats• Survive by avoiding

the conditions camels thrive in

• Live underground in burrows only coming out at night

• Rarely if ever drinks water


Desert rats• Water supply

comes from the respiration of its food

• Produces a virtually solid urine

• Virtually no sweat glands


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


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


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


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


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


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

Structural Adaptations to the Environment TAKS. Structural adaptations to the environment Every species is uniquely adapted to its environment This ensures.

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