Lesson: Weather Climate and Adaptation of Animals

Type 1 $-$ Very Short Answer Questions (7 Q.)

Question: 1

Give one example of a migratory bird.

Solution

Siberian crane

Question: 2

The tropical region generally has a hot climate because of its location around the___________.

Solution

Equator

Question: 3

Fishes are adapted to remain under cold water for long duration of time. How are birds adapted to cold conditions?

Solution

Birds migrate to warmer regions when winter sets in.

Question: 4

Indonesia is an example of which type of region of natural vegetation?

Solution

Tropical rainforest

Question: 5

A place has high temperature throughout the year and receives very little rainfall. So, what type of climate will that place have?

Solution

Hot and dry climate

Question: 6

A ___________ is a measuring cylinder with a funnel on the top to collect rainwater.

Solution

Rain gauge

Question: 7

Name one distinguishing and one similar feature between penguins and polar bears.

Solution

Both are good swimmers. Penguins huddle together although polar bears do not.

Short Answer Questions (7 Q.)

Question: 1

Give examples of animals of the tropical rainforest.

Solution

Monkeys, apes, gorillas, tigers, elephants, leopards, lizards, snakes, birds and insects are some examples of animals belonging to tropical rainforest.

Question: 2

Indicate the climatic conditions of the following countries.

(a) Sweden

(b) Uganda

Solution

(a) Sweden: polar region

(b) Uganda: tropical region

Question: 3

What do you understand by adaptation?

Solution

Features and habits of an organism that helps them to survive in the conditions in which they live and that has been favoured by natural selection are known as adaptation.

Question: 4

What is the purpose of maximum and minimum thermometers?

Solution

Maximum and minimum thermometers are used to record the maximum and minimum temperatures.

Question: 5

Name at least 3 animals, except polar bears and penguins that are inhabitants of the polar region.

Solution

Fishes, musk, oxen, reindeers, foxes, seals, whales.

Question: 6

Why do polar bears have white fur?

Solution

Polar bears have white fur so that they are not easily visible in the snowy white background. It protects them from their predators. It also helps them in catching their prey.

Question: 7

How do the lion-tailed macaques (also called the Beard apes) help to avoid competition in the tropical rainforest?

Solution

The lion-tailed macaques or the Beard apes feed mainly on fruits. They also eat seeds, new leaves, stems, flowers and buds. They also search for insects under the bark of the trees. Since they are able to get sufficient amount of food from the trees itself, they rarely come down on the ground. So, they avoid competition for food on the ground.

Long Answer Questions (6 Q.)

Question: 1

Explain how the rainforests offer hospitable climatic conditions to support an enormous amount of population?

Solution

The tropical region generally has a hot climate because of its location around the equator. Even in the coldest month, the temperature is generally higher than15°C. During hot summers, the temperature may cross 40°C too. This region also receives plenty of rainfall. The continuous warmth and rain supports huge population in this region.

Question: 2

“All changes in the weather are caused by the sun.”

Can you support this statement with a suitable answer?

Solution

The sun is the ultimate source of heat and light on the earth. The distance of the sun from us is very large. Energy absorbed and reflected by the earth’s surface; oceans and the atmosphere play important roles in determining the weather at any place. Weather varies from place to place. It is different in a desert, near coastal areas or near a mountain. Thus, all changes in the weather are caused by the sun.

Question: 3

Briefly explain the characteristic features of Beard apes.

Solution

The characteristic features of Beard apes are:

1. They have silver-white mane, which surrounds the head from the cheeks down to their chin.

2. They are good climbers and spend a major part of their life on trees.

3. They mainly feed on fruits. They also eat seeds, young leaves, stems, flowers and buds. These Beard apes also search for insects under the bark of the trees. Since they are able to get sufficient amount of food sitting on the tree itself, they rarely come down to the ground.

Question: 4

Why do many birds fly to Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Sultanpur in Haryana, during winter?

Solution

Birds must remain warm in order to survive. So, during winter they migrate to warmer regions. They adopt migration to escape from the extremely cold climatic conditions. They generally fly high where the wind flow is helpful and the cold conditions allow them to disperse the heat generated by their flight muscles.

Question: 5

What do you understand by camouflage and why camouflage is important for animals?

Solution

Camouflage is the protection mechanism in animals which increase their chances of survival by tricking predators by blending with the surroundings. This is to protect them from the predators. Many tropical animals have sensitive hearing, sharp eyesight, thick skin and a skin colour which helps them to camouflage by blending with the surroundings. Example, big cats like lions and tigers have thick skin and sensitive hearing.

Question: 6

How does an elephant living in the tropical rainforest adapt itself to avoid the competition for food?

Solution

It uses its trunk as a nose because of which it has a strong sense of smell. The trunk is also used by it for picking up food.
Moreover, its tusks are modified teeth. These can tear the bark of trees that the elephant loves to eat. So, the elephant is able to handle the competition for food rather well in the tropical rainforest.