Survival in Extreme Environments

You are in the Sahara Desert, where daytime temperatures soar and water is scarce. You observe a camel and a lizard. Which adaptation helps them survive in this extreme climate?

• The camel stores fat in its hump for energy and water retention.

• The lizard has thick fur to keep warm during the day.

• The camel has short legs to avoid the heat.

• The lizard drinks large amounts of water every hour.

A group of polar bears is struggling to hunt due to melting ice in the Arctic. How does this environmental change impact their survival?

• They find it easier to hunt as more land is exposed.

• They must travel longer distances to find food, leading to exhaustion and starvation.

• Their thick fur helps them adapt to warmer temperatures.

• Their food supply increases because of the ice melting.

A freshwater river is drying up due to climate change. What could happen to the fish population in this ecosystem?

• The fish will adapt immediately to living on land.

• The fish population may decrease due to lack of water and oxygen.

• The fish will migrate to deserts for survival.

• The fish will grow larger to store more water.

In a high-altitude mountain region, pine trees dominate the landscape. Why do very few broad-leafed trees grow in this environment?

• There is too much sunlight for broad-leafed trees.

• The cold temperatures and snowfall make it difficult for broad-leafed trees to survive.

• Pine trees consume all the available oxygen.

• The soil is too soft for broad-leafed trees to take root.

Sea otters in a kelp forest are decreasing in number due to pollution. What is the likely impact on the ecosystem?

• The kelp forest will grow rapidly.

• The population of sea urchins will increase, harming the kelp forest.

• Fish populations will increase because sea otters are not eating them.

• The ecosystem will remain unaffected.

A farmer notices that his crops are not growing well, and the leaves are turning yellow. Which environmental factor might be responsible?

• The soil lacks essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

• The plants are getting too much carbon dioxide.

• The plants are producing too much oxygen.

• The plants need to be watered less often.

A wildfire destroys a large portion of a forest. Which of the following is a possible consequence for the ecosystem?

• The animals and plants will regrow immediately.

• The food web will be disrupted, affecting herbivores and carnivores.

• The fire will only impact trees, but animals will not be affected.

• The soil quality will improve immediately after the fire.

Deforestation in a rainforest is leading to fewer plant species. What effect will this have on the food web?

• The food web will collapse, impacting all species that rely on plants.

• More oxygen will be produced, benefiting the ecosystem.

• More animals will migrate to the rainforest.

• The ecosystem will remain stable.

A small pond in a savanna is drying up due to prolonged drought. How will this impact the herbivores in the region?

• The herbivores will have more water to drink.

• The herbivores will migrate to find new water sources, affecting predator populations.

• The herbivores will adapt by eating rocks and sand.

• The predators will stop hunting.

A factory dumps chemicals into a nearby river, affecting fish and aquatic plants. What is the most likely consequence?

• The water quality improves, benefiting all organisms.

• The aquatic food chain collapses due to poisoned fish and plants.

• The fish become stronger and grow larger.

• The ecosystem adapts immediately without any impact.