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Morphological adaptations of two plants and two animals found in xeric conditions is an experiment conducted in NCERT Class 12 Biology. Morphological adaptation is a change in an organism that increases the chance of survival in its habitat. We will look into the morphological adaptation in both plants and animals, along with suitable examples.
- Morphology is a branch of biology that studies the structure of organisms and their features.
- The term xeric was coined by the Denver Water Board in the early 1980s.
- It is used to describe a type of plant that evolved in response to drought.
- In the desert, the temperature may rise to 45°C(113°F) in the daytime and as low as a freezing point at night time.
Deserts have harsh conditions, such as water scarcity in the scorching heat. Due to soaring temperatures, animals can not maintain their body temperature, and plants can not grow due to less precipitation.
- A xerophyte is a type of plant species that has evolved to survive in these environments.
- For example, Fennec fox lives in the desert, and in order to radiate heat from its body, its structure adaptation has to be large ears.
Key Terms: Morphological Adaptations of Two Plants and Two Animals Found In Xeric Conditions, Morphological Adaptation in Plants, Morphological Adaptation in Animals, Structural Adaptation, Xeric Plants and Animals, Xerophytes, Desert, Morphological Adaptation
What is Morphological Adaptation?
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Morphological adaptation refers to the structural change with the help of which an organism can easily adjust to its surroundings. It means that an organism undergoes physical or behavioral characteristics which help them to survive better in the contemporary world.
- They adapt to the environment depending on factors like genetics, physiology, and reproduction.
- Charles Darwin developed the theory of adaptation, which is also known as Survival of the Fittest.
- The theory states that if You adapt to the changes, You Survive.
- It depends on factors like habitat tracking, extinction and genetic change.
- Animals such as camouflage and colouration protect them from predators.
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Aim
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The aim of the experiment is to study the morphological adaptations of two plants and two animals (models/virtual images) found in xeric conditions that are native to arid environments.
Requirements
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Virtual images or models of two plants and two animals found in xeric conditions are required for this experiment to perform.
Observations
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The observations of the experiment that is conducted to study the morphological adaptations of two plants and two animals (models/virtual images) found in xeric conditions are as follows:
Morphological Adaptation in Two Plants
When growing under unfavourable conditions and weather, these plants developed some sort of special structure and physiological adaptations whose prime objectives are given below:
- First, ensure the transpiration rate is as minimal as possible.
- Next, hold water in their organs for a very long period.
- To absorb as much water as they can absorb from their surrounding;
- Also, check for high water consumption.
Two plants which were found in xeric condition and their morphological adaptations are given below:
- Ulex
- Casuarina
Morphological Features
The morphological features of these xerophytes are given below:
- Stems of these xerophytes are hard and woody and may be aerial or subterranean.
- They are covered with the layering of wax and silica.
- These xerophytes have thorn-like leaves for lesser transpiration.
- The stomatal number per unit is also decreased to stop the loss of water.
- The roots of these xerophytes are well developed and grown very deep where water is available in plenty.
Figure 1.1Ulex
Figure 1.2 casuarina
Morphological Adaptation in Two Animals
Desert animals keep themselves cool by being active at night. Some others try to get rid of the sun's heat by digging underground burrows.
- Some common adaptations seen in desert animals are like having big ears (fennec fox) and hump.
- They store fat and adapt to conserve water like a camel.
Two animals which were found in xeric condition and their morphological adaptations are given below:
- Camel
- Fennec fox
Morphological Features
Adaptations of desert animals are given below:
Camels
Camels are well known because of their characteristics to withstand harsh weather, scarcity of water, and extreme heat in desert regions. They are now well adjusted to the unstable desert habitat.
The characteristics about camels are given below
- The urine of these animals is highly concentrated to prevent the loss of water.
- Camels can specifically store fat and water; without water, they can live for many days.
- They have thick fur and wool, which help them keep warm during the cold night.
- It provides insulation during day time.
- They have translucent eyelids, which help them see relatively well.
- These animal's drinking capacity is relatively higher than other animals.
Camels
Fennec Fox
The Fennec fox is the smallest fox species and is mainly found in the Sahara desert. These are more active at night, which helps them to deal with heat in desert habitats.
Some morphological adaptations feature about fennec fox are:
- Fennec fox has large ears for better insulation
- Their feet and fur are thick to protect them from the sand's heat
- They have thick and light coloured hair, which prevents the cold.
- Fennex Fox provides insulation during the daytime.
The Fennec fox
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Things to Remember
- Morphological adaptations of two plants and two animals found in xeric conditions is a biology experiment.
- Plants that grow in dry habitats or desert conditions are called xerophytes.
- Camels can drink water more than 30% of their body weight in less than 3 minutes.
- Some xerophytic plants can't grow in well-watered environments due to their morphological adaptations like cactus.
- The experiment showcase the natural selections play an important role for survial of organisms.
Previous Years’ Questions
- The biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers is called… (NEET 2010)
- Both hydrarch and xerarch successions lead to… (NEET 2011)
- During ecological succession… (NEET 2015)
- In a biotic community, the primary consumers are… (NEET 1995)
- In an ecosystem, which one shows one-way passage… (NEET 1988)
- In the equation GPP - R… (NEET 2021)
- Upper part of sea/aquatic ecosystem contains… (NEET 1988)
- Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels in a biotic community is known as… (NEET 2015)
- What is true of ecosystem?... (NEET 1988)
- Which ecosystem has the maximum biomass ?... (NEET 2017)
Sample Questions
Ques. What do you mean by morphological adaptation? (1 mark)
Ans. Morphological adaptation is a change in the structural adaptation of an organism that increases the life span in harsh environments or undesirable habitats.
Ques. How many types of adaptation are there? (3 marks)
Ans. There are three types of adaptation:
- Morphological adaptation(external)
- Anatomical adaptation(internal)
- Physiological adaptations
Ques. Why do xerophytic plants have root hairs? (1 mark)
Ans. These root hairs of plants are densely developed near root tips. Which enables them to absorb more water from the surroundings.
Ques. List down the groups of xerophytes according to their drought-resisting power. Under which group does the casuarina plant fall? (3 marks)
Ans. These groups are as follows;
- Drought escaping plants
- Drought enduring plants
- Drought-resistant plants
Casuarina is categorized as drought resistant plant. Its morphological adaptation helps it to be resisted drought-like situations.
Ques. Why do the leaves of xerophytic plants are succulent? (2 marks)
Ans. Due to this, the leaves become more flashy which helps in the excessive storage of water and latex in them. Generally, plants develop lesser stems due to succulents' presence.
Ques. What techniques are used by animals to stay alive during high temperatures in Xeric conditions? (1 mark)
Ans. Some animals become nocturnal to stay alive, while others dig deep burrows in the ground to maintain their body temperature.
Ques. Why do camels have large eyelids? (1 mark)
Ans. Sand storms are common in Xeric conditions and also blowing winds are contaminated by tiny sand particles, these large eyelids prevent the tiny particles from entering the eyes.
Ques. Why do most desert animals have thick and light-colored hair? (1 mark)
Ans. Animals like fennec foxes and camels have thick hairs to provide insulation during cold nights and have light-colored hair to prevent sun heat.
Ques. What are the factors on which theory of adaptation? (3 marks)
Ans. The factors on which theory of adaptation are as follows:
- Habitat Tracking: Habitat tracking basically search for a similar type of environment in comparison to previous one.
- Extinction: Extinction involves that if species will die or become extinct if a similar environment is not found.
- Genetic Change: Genetic change involves that organisms with slight mutations will survive better in an environment.
Ques. What is behavioural adaptation? (2 marks)
Ans. Behavioural adaptation is a type of morphological adaptation in which species undergo changes in their body in order to survive in arid environment. The change is a form of external stimulus that is exhibited by animals. Some examples of behavioural adaptation includes birds migration according to the weather, rabbits digging burrows.
Ques. What are the morphological features of agave? (4 marks)
Ans. The morphological features of agave are as follows:
- Succulence: Agave consists of special cells that has the capacity to hold water in low moist area.
- Reduced Leaves: The leaves of these plants are in the form of spines that help reduction of excess loss of water by the process of transpiration.
- Stomata: These plants have stomata that are either located in sunken pits which lies below the surface of the leaves.
- Outer surfaces: The hair and spines of agave consists of scatter light which help in the reduction of sun’s effect.
- Roots around the surface: The roots around the surface have the capacity of holding water more quickly which they can easily regenerate in rain.
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