Adaptations of Plants and Extremophiles

The video discusses how plants and certain organisms adapt to their environments. Cacti, for example, have adaptations like spines and thick stems to conserve water in arid conditions. Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as high temperatures or pressures. These organisms have unique adaptations, like specialized enzymes, allowing them to survive where most life forms cannot.

What are some resources that plants compete for in their environment?

• Temperature and humidity

• Predators and prey

• Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen

• Light, water, space, and nutrients

How do cacti minimize water loss in dry environments?

• By growing taller

• By having spines instead of leaves

• By increasing their leaf size

• By producing more flowers

What is the purpose of the spines on a cactus?

• To attract pollinators

• To absorb sunlight

• To store water

• To protect from animals

Which feature helps cacti store water?

• Thin leaves

• Deep roots

• Thick stems

• Colorful flowers

What is an extremophile?

• A predator in the ocean

• A type of cactus

• An organism adapted to extreme environments

• A plant that grows in deserts

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of extreme environments?

• High pressures

• High temperatures

• Low temperatures

• High levels of salt

Where do Aquafax bacteria typically live?

• In hot springs

• In the ocean

• In rainforests

• In deserts

How do some bacteria survive in environments without oxygen?

• By photosynthesis

• By respiring nitrogen

• By moving to oxygen-rich areas

• By hibernating

Why can extremophiles flourish in their habitats?

• They reproduce rapidly

• They can survive where most organisms cannot

• They are not affected by predators

• They have many competitors