Question

Read each of the following statements. Write a paragraph about adaptation with reference to each statement.
(a) There is extreme heat in deserts.
(b) Grasslands are lush green.
(c) Insects are found in large numbers.
(d) We hide.
(e) We have long ears.

Answer 1

a. There is extreme heat in deserts and dry conditions prevail in this region. The animals and plants which are found in this region have special modifications which help them to survive in such environment. For example, cactus and acacia plants withstand hot and dry environment of the desert with the help of various modifications. They have thick cuticle on their leaf surface and their stomata are arranged in deep pits to minimise water loss by transpiration. They have special photosynthetic pathway, CAM in which stomata remains closed during day time. Their leaves are reduced to spines to minimise water loss, and photosynthetic functions are performed by flattened stems.
Similarly desert animals have adaptive features like- thick skin to prevent the loss of water, long legs with flat and cushioned soles, long and thick eyelashes and nostrils which are protected by folds of skin.

b. Grasslands are lush green due to the presence of diverse types of bushes and grasses. Grasses are tall so that animals like tiger, lion, elephant can remain hidden in them. Animals which are found in grasslands have adaptations like strong legs to run fast and capture their prey, claws, sharp and pointed canine. The herbivores which are found in this region have eyes below the forehead which gives them wide angle vision which protects them from predators.

c. Insects are found in large numbers because they have developed mechanisms which help them to survive even in harshest of environment. They are found in extreme conditions of deserts and Antartic region due to these modifications. For example grasshopper have long, strong hind legs that help them jump, house flies have sponging mouthparts to slurp up food, stinky bugs and walking sticks have the ability to camouflage.

​d. There are certain species which are able to hide themselves by blending their colour with that of the surrounding. This adaptive mechanism is termed as camouflage and is a method to protect oneself from the predators and prey. For example, grasshopper, lizards, butterflies, chameleon, frogs etc.

e. Animals with long ears are found in grasslands. It is an adaptive mechanism which enables them to receive sounds from long distances and from different directions. Another important function of long ears is that they act as a cooling system.

The large ears have thin skin and contain an extensive network of blood vessels that provide a large surface area for heat exchange. These vessels swell when the animal is hot to allow the blood to cool and contract when temperatures drop to conserve heat.