AnswersEF Environmental Science 1st Nine WeeksEcology 102

Desert and Desert-Scrub Biomes Answers

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1
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During extreme dry periods tortoises will eliminate waste _______.

A
as a watery urine
B
as a white paste
C
only at night
D
only in the morning
2
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Organisms that live in desert and desert-scrub biomes have developed unique adaptations that aid in their survival. The Sahara Desert takes up ten percent of the continent of Africa, and is the largest desert in the world. The species that live in the Sahara are highly adapted to survive in the extreme conditions they live in. What morphological and physiological adaptations might be seen in the organisms that live in the Sahara Desert?

A
water absorbing skin, large eyes for hunting at night, webbed feet
B
light colored fur or feathers for camouflage, dense layer of fat and fur for warmth, hibernation during cold months
C
small bodies and long limbs in warm-blooded organisms, light colored fur or feathers to reflect sunlight, lack of sweat glands in many organisms, hibernation during hot months
D
dark colored fur or feathers for heat absorption, large bodies and short limbs, consumption of primarily scrub and short grasses
3

Which behavior would you most likely expect to find in a desert animal?

A
grooming others of their species
B
giving birth under tree shelter
C
eating in large groups
D
sleeping during the day
4

Camel humps are an adaptation for _______.

A
storing water
B
regulating body heat
C
carrying riders
D
all of the above
5

The defining characteristic of deserts is _______.

A
low rainfall
B
high temperatures
C
lizards
D
cacti
6

Which of the following deserts is characterized by moderately warm to cool temperatures?

A
arid
B
semi-arid
C
coastal
D
cold
7

Desert and desert-scrub biomes are characterized by specific types of plant and animal life. Creosote bushes are found throughout areas such as the Mojave Desert. They are used by roadrunners for nesting, and also provide a home for desert tortoises. Photo by Samulili What type of plant is the creosote bush?

Question illustration
A
coniferous tree
B
lichen
C
shrub
D
flowering weed
8

The Sahara desert is able to support large populations of grazing herbivores.

A
T
B
F
9

The whip tail of a Vinegaroon is a mimic for a scorpion’s pincher claws.

A
T
B
F
10

What are some adaptations of the kangaroo rat that allow it to survive in the desert biome?

A
builds underground burrows, hunts at night, obtains water from its food
B
builds nests inside trunks of large plants, hunts during daylight hours, obtains water from its food
C
builds underground burrows, hunts at night, requires a water source for drinking
D
builds exposed nests under brush and scrub, hunts at night, obtains water from its food
11

What are some adaptations of the kangaroo rat that allow it to survive in the desert biome?

A
builds underground burrows, hunts at night, obtains water from its food
B
builds nests inside trunks of large plants, hunts during daylight hours, obtains water from its food
C
builds underground burrows, hunts at night, requires a water source for drinking
D
builds exposed nests under brush and scrub, hunts at night, obtains water from its food
12

What abiotic factors describe the desert biome climate?

A
four distinct seasons, a temperature range from just below freezing to 70º F, almost 14 inches of rain in the winter months and more than 18 inches of rain in the summer
B
warm temperature year round, very long dry winter and a very wet summer, a temperature range of 68° to 86° F, annual precipitation of 10 to 30 inches
C
subarctic and cold climate, long, severe winters, average yearly rainfall is 15 to 20 inches
D
extremely low humidity, less than 10 inches of rain per year, high temperatures during the day, frequently windy
13

During extreme dry periods tortoises will eliminate waste _______.

A
as a watery urine
B
as a white paste
C
only at night
D
only in the morning
14

Which of the following is not true about arid deserts?

A
They can be found in North America.
B
The rain falls mostly as snow during the winter.
C
They are very hot and dry.
D
The rain often evaporates before it hits the ground.
15

Which of the following deserts is characterized by moderately warm to cool temperatures?

A
arid
B
semi-arid
C
coastal
D
cold
16

All deserts have high daytime temperatures.

A
T
B
F
17

Organisms that live in desert and desert-scrub biomes have developed unique adaptations that aid in their survival. Coyotes are crepuscular desert mammals that grow to be approximately three feet tall and weigh between 20 and 50 pounds when full-grown. How does being crepuscular help enable the coyote to survive the heat of the desert?

A
It is only active at dawn and dusk
B
It is only active at noon
C
It is only active at night
D
It is only active in the morning
18

Camel humps are an adaptation for _______.

A
storing water
B
regulating body heat
C
carrying riders
D
all of the above
19

Desert and desert-scrub biomes are characterized by specific types of plant and animal life. Creosote bushes are found throughout areas such as the Mojave Desert. They are used by roadrunners for nesting, and also provide a home for desert tortoises. Photo by Samulili What type of plant is the creosote bush?

Question illustration
A
coniferous tree
B
lichen
C
shrub
D
flowering weed
20

Desert animals would generally be expected to have less body fat than animals in cooler environments.

A
T
B
F

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