Biology: Adaptation MCQ Quiz

Convergent evolution refers to the phenomenon where unrelated species develop similar traits or structures due to similar environmental pressures. This occurs when different species face similar challenges and independently evolve similar solutions to overcome them. Therefore, the statement that convergent evolution is when two unrelated species have similar environmental pressures and adapt structures to overcome such situations is true.

The equation provided is that of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. The equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation represents the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using energy from sunlight.

Positive phototropism is the correct answer because it refers to the phenomenon of a plant growing towards a source of light. This is a common behavior observed in plants as they require light for photosynthesis, which is essential for their growth and survival. The plant's growth towards the light is a result of differential growth on the side away from the light, causing it to bend and orient itself towards the light source. This response is crucial for plants to optimize their light absorption and ensure their energy needs are met.

Penguins huddling together to keep warm is a behavioral adaptation because it is a specific behavior that the penguins have developed in order to survive in their cold environment. By huddling together, the penguins are able to conserve heat and stay warm in the harsh conditions. This behavior allows them to maintain their body temperature and avoid hypothermia.

Divergent evolution is the correct answer because it refers to the process where a group from a specific population develops into a new species. This occurs when two groups within a population face different environmental conditions and adapt differently to those conditions, leading to the development of distinct species. Convergent evolution, on the other hand, refers to the process where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, which is not applicable in this case.

Hibernating during the hottest part of the day is a behavioral adaptation for dealing with a hot climate. By hibernating, the organism can avoid the extreme heat and conserve energy during the hottest hours. This behavior helps the organism to regulate its body temperature and prevent overheating.

The text mentions two structural adaptations of weta: long strong legs for jumping and a hard exoskeleton. These adaptations help weta in their survival and behavior by providing them with the ability to jump and protect their bodies.

A plant that produces bark, has flower parts in multiples of 4 or 5, and has branching pairs of veins in their leaves is known as dicots. Dicots, also known as dicotyledons, are a group of flowering plants characterized by having two seed leaves (cotyledons) when they germinate. They typically have broad, flat leaves with veins that form a branching pattern. Examples of dicots include roses, sunflowers, and oak trees.

Thigmotropism is the correct answer because it refers to the plant's response to touch. Thigmotropism can be positive, where the plant grows towards the touch stimulus, or negative, where the plant grows away from the touch stimulus. This response allows plants to adapt and respond to their environment, for example, by growing around objects or climbing structures for support. Geotropism refers to the plant's response to gravity, phototropism refers to the plant's response to light, and hydrotropism refers to the plant's response to water.

CAM plants, or Crassulacean Acid Metabolism plants, are able to adapt to arid conditions by utilizing a unique carbon fixation pathway. They have thick, reduced leaves with a low surface-area-to-volume ratio, a thick cuticle, and stomata that are sunken into pits. CAM plants open their stomata at night to allow CO2 to enter and be fixed and stored. During the day, the CO2 is released for use, providing the plant with a high concentration of CO2 while preventing excessive water loss by keeping the stomata closed during the hottest and driest part of the day.

In cellular respiration, glucose is one of the main reactants. It is broken down through a series of biochemical reactions to release energy that is used by cells to perform various functions. Carbon dioxide and water are the byproducts of this process. Chlorophyll, on the other hand, is not a reactant in cellular respiration but is involved in the process of photosynthesis in plants.

Monocots are a type of plant that do not produce bark, have flowers in multiples of 3, and have parallel veins. One of their most distinctive traits is their trimerous flower, with the flower parts in threes or multiples of three. This means that a monocot flower typically has three, six, or nine petals. Therefore, the correct answer is Monocots.

The stomatal opening of a plant is an opening for the absorption of carbon dioxide. Stomata are small pores found on the surface of leaves, stems, and other plant organs. They are responsible for the exchange of gases between the plant and its environment. Carbon dioxide, which is needed for photosynthesis, enters the plant through these openings. Water vapor and oxygen are also released through the stomata. The stomata can be found on both the upper and lower parts of a leaf, but they are more abundant on the lower surface, as it helps to reduce water loss through evaporation.

C3 plants are able to grow in wet climates because they have a photosynthetic pathway known as C3 photosynthesis. This pathway is efficient in moist conditions as it allows the plant to take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose. In wet climates, there is usually an abundance of water, which helps C3 plants maintain their photosynthetic activity and support their growth.

C4 plants are well-suited for moderate climates because they have certain adaptations that allow them to efficiently use carbon dioxide and minimize water loss. These plants have stomata on the upper side of leaves, which helps them to conserve water by reducing evaporation. Additionally, C4 plants have a unique carbon fixation pathway that enables them to absorb carbon dioxide at night and store it as a four-carbon compound. This allows them to continue photosynthesis during the day without opening stomata and losing water. Therefore, C4 plants are better adapted to moderate climates where water availability may not be as high as in wet climates.

Based on the dentition of the skull, it can be inferred that the skull belongs to a piscivore (eats fish). Piscivores typically have sharp and pointed teeth that are adapted for catching and consuming fish. This is different from herbivores, which have flat teeth for grinding plant material, omnivores, which have a combination of sharp and flat teeth for a varied diet, and carnivores, which have sharp teeth for tearing meat. Therefore, the dentition of the skull suggests that the animal was specialized in eating fish.

Living on a cold snowy mountain would require adaptations to help retain heat and combat heat loss. Long thick fur would be useful in aiding heat retention by providing insulation against the cold. Small ears would help combat heat loss as they have less surface area for heat to escape from. Small hooves would not be a useful adaptation as they would cause the individual to sink into the snow, making movement difficult. Dark colored fur would not be beneficial as it would absorb more heat from the sun, which could lead to overheating.

Animals growing in fresh water marine environments face the challenge of maintaining water balance in their bodies. Having a "short" kidney enables fast excretion of water, allowing these animals to regulate their internal water levels more efficiently. By excreting excess water quickly, they can prevent water overload and maintain proper hydration. This physiological strategy helps them adapt to their environment and survive in freshwater marine habitats.

In a hot dry place, the temperature is high, and water is scarce. Large ears help in heat loss by increasing the surface area for heat dissipation. Being nocturnal allows animals to avoid the hottest part of the day and stay active during cooler nights. Having a hump for water storage is beneficial as it allows animals to store water and survive longer periods without drinking. Long thick fur would not be a useful adaptation in a hot dry place as it would retain heat and make it difficult for the animal to cool down.

The shoot of the plant is showing negative geotropism because it is growing away from the force of gravity. Geotropism refers to the growth or movement of a plant in response to gravity, and negative geotropism means the plant is growing in the opposite direction to gravity, such as when a shoot grows upwards towards the light.