Hot, Wet and Wild
Unit 1 Area of study 2, Unit 2 Area of study 1
Student Booklet
Humans have adapted to colonize every continent and can exist in every climate, making us the most
successful species on earth. Today we are going to investigate the structural, behavioural and physiological
adaptations of various animals that aid their survival in various climates across the world.
Homeostasis
1. What is homeostasis?
2. Explain the importance of homeostasis
3. In order to maintain an internal state, all living things have various adaptations. Complete the
table:
Adaptation
Definition
Human example
Thermoregulation
Surface area to Volume ratio
The size of an animal can impact on its ability to maintain an appropriate body temperature.
Generally small animals have a large surface area to volume ratio, which means they are suited to
living in a
environment. Explain why?
Generally large animals have a small surface area to volume ratio, which means they are suited to
living in a
environment. Explain why?
Something to Consider: There are often exceptions to
this rule. The Seal and Penguin live in the same
bioclimatic region, yet due to their size, have different
structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations.
page 2
Osmoregulation
Water Loss
Water is lost from the human body in four ways. Name them below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Waste elimination (Note:
Waste
There are exceptions to the data contained in the table below)
Amount of
energy used
Amount of water
used
Toxicity of
waste
Class of animal
Ammonia
High
Urea
Mammal
Medium
Uric Acid
Low
Habitat Influences
An animal’s environment influences its adaptations for survival. Give an example of an adaptation that an animal
would require to survive in the following habitats.
a. Thermoregulation:
a
a
Osmoregulation:
b. Thermoregulation:
Osmoregulation:
b
c
b
a
b
a
c. Thermoregulation:
Osmoregulation:
page 3
Amphibian:
Habitat:
Osmoregulation
1. Explain how a frog obtains the water it needs for survival.
2. Circle the correct form of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea Uric Acid
Note: Exceptions apply depending on the species and their adaptations to environment
3. Using the sketch below, explain how tadpoles are able to survive and develop
in an egg despite producing ammonia.
[NH3]
[NH3]
Thermoregulation
4. Frogs are generally nocturnal, despite being ectothermic. Explain why they have
developed this behavioural adaptation.
page 4
Reptile:
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. Observe the room and list how Melbourne Zoo has provided for the needs of
reptiles in captivity.
2. Considering all members of the animal kingdom, most animals are ectothermic.
List two advantages and disadvantages of being ectothermic.
Advantages
Disadvantages
a.
a.
b.
b.
3. List the adaptations for thermoregulation in the appropriate sections below.
Structural
Physiological
Behavioural
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
2. What is the advantage to developing reptile embryos in excreting uric acid?
Mammal: Snow Leopard
page 5
Mammal: Snow Leopard
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. List the adaptations for thermoregulation in the appropriate sections below.
Structural
Behavioural
Physiological
2. Recommend some of the practices that zoo keeping staff could employ to
ensure that the Snow Leopard does not overheat during warm weather.
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
page 6
Mammal: Red Panda
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. Weighing between 5 and 10kg, how does the size of the red panda assist in its
survival?
2. What disadvantage could the size of the Red Panda be in terms of
thermoregulation?
3. Suggest some alternative adaptations other than size that may assist the Red
Panda’s thermoregulation?
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
page 7
Bird: Penguin
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. What structural adaptations does the Little Penguin have to compensate for its
small size?
2. Explain how penguins can decrease their surface area to reduce heat loss.
3. With regards to thermoregulation, suggest why oil spills can have a negative
effect on the survival of penguins at sea?
4.
The Emperor Penguin is able to stand on
packed ice for extended periods. Fill in the
diagram explaining the physiological
adaptation that maintains body temperature.
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
2. Explain the advantage of having a supraorbital gland
page 8
Mammal: Seal
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. Seals have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. What are the advantages of this?
2. As the seal moves through the water you will be able to observe air bubbles
forming on the surface of the fur. Explain this observation and suggest how it is
related to thermoregulation.
3. Explain how seals use their flippers to facilitate heat loss.
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
2. How do seals obtain the water they need for survival?
page 9
Mammals: Bilby & Spinifex Hopping Mouse
Habitat:
Thermoregulation (Bilby)
1. List the adaptations for thermoregulation in the appropriate sections below.
Structural
Physiological
Behavioural
Osmoregulation (Spinifex Hopping Mouse)
1. Circle the correct elimination of Nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
2. In Australia there is often no free water available in arid areas. How do animals
that live in these areas obtain water necessary for survival?
3. List the adaptations for water balance in the appropriate sections below.
Structural
Physiological
Behavioural
page 10
Mammal: Squirrel Monkey /
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. In the box below sketch the animal and its adaptations for thermoregulation.
Structural
Behavioural
Physiological
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
2. Explain the advantages of eliminating nitrogenous waste this way.
Advantages:
3. How might climate change affect the survival of an animal that eliminates
nitrogenous waste this way?
page 11
Mammal: Asian Elephant
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. Look at the elephant enclosure. What features have been included to help the
elephants thermoregulate?
2. Theoretically, a large animal has a small surface to volume ratio. How does the
elephant manage to increase its’ surface area to volume ratio?
Osmoregulation
1. Circle the correct form for the elimination of nitrogenous waste:
Ammonia
Urea
Uric Acid
2. Locate some elephant faeces. From what you observe, do you think the elephant
is efficient at conserving water? Explain your answer.
page 12
Fish:
Habitat:
Thermoregulation
1. How do fish adapt to changes in water temperature?
Osmoregulation
2. Explain the differences in the diagrams below
3. Explain the difference between waste elimination in Marine and Freshwater fish.