7.3 Adaptations
5 exam questions worth 11 marks. Write your answer, open the mark scheme, then give yourself the marks you earned. Your answers are saved on this device.
0 / 11
Give one example each of a structural, a behavioural and a functional adaptation.
Mark scheme
- structural: thick fur / small ears / camouflage / spines (1)
- behavioural: migration / hibernation / nocturnal (1)
- functional: concentrated urine / reduced metabolism / little sweat (1)
Model answer
Structural: thick fur in an arctic fox. Behavioural: birds migrating south in winter. Functional: camels producing very concentrated urine.
Explain why an arctic fox has small ears.
Mark scheme
- smaller surface area (to volume ratio) (1)
- so less heat is lost (1)
Model answer
Small ears give a smaller surface area, so less heat is lost from the body.
What is an extremophile? Give an example of where one might live.
Mark scheme
- organism living in extreme conditions (1)
- e.g. hot springs / deep-sea vents / salt lakes / high pressure (1)
Model answer
An extremophile is an organism that lives in extreme conditions, such as bacteria in hot springs.
Explain how a camel is adapted to survive with little water.
Mark scheme
Any two from:
- produces concentrated urine / little urine (1)
- sweats very little (1)
- stores fat in hump, not all over, so it can lose heat (1)
- can drink a lot at once (1)
Model answer
A camel produces very little, very concentrated urine and hardly sweats, so it loses very little water.
Bacteria in hot springs have enzymes that work at 80 °C. Suggest why most enzymes would not work at this temperature.
Mark scheme
- most enzymes are denatured at high temperature (1)
- active site changes shape (1)
Model answer
Most enzymes are denatured at 80 °C because their active sites change shape.
Found a mistake?