Organisms change to survive in different habitats, like on land or in water. These changes can be in their structure, behavior, or how their bodies work. They are very important for keeping the variety of life and a healthy balance in nature.
1. Changes in Land Environments:
Saving Water: Many animals and plants that live on land, like camels and cacti, have found ways to use less water. For example, cacti have thick stems and spiky parts instead of leaves. This helps them lose less water.
Keeping Cool or Warm: Animals such as Arctic foxes have thick fur to help them stay warm in really cold places.
Root Systems: Plants in land environments have deep or wide roots to find water and nutrients in the ground. An oak tree, for instance, can have roots that reach over 30 feet deep!
2. Changes in Water Environments:
Floating Ability: Animals in water, like fish, have swim bladders. This helps them stay at different depths in the water without using too much energy.
Breathing Underwater: Fish use gills to take oxygen from the water, which is very important for their survival. For instance, a salmon can breathe in water with very low oxygen levels.
Smooth Shape: Many aquatic animals have shapes that help them move easily through water. Sharks, for example, are sleek and can swim as fast as 30 miles per hour!
3. Environmental Effects:
Land Environments: Deserts, forests, and grasslands each have their own challenges, like extreme temperatures and how much water is available. Deserts, for example, get less than 10 inches of rain each year.
Water Environments: Oceans, rivers, and lakes differ in saltiness, temperature, and pressure. The ocean covers about 71% of Earth's surface and can be very deep, making it hard for some creatures to survive.
Conclusion:
In short, the changes in organisms happen because of the specific challenges in their habitats. Whether it's in land environments with limited water and extreme temperatures or in water environments with different salt levels and pressure, these changes help species survive and keep nature balanced. Knowing these differences shows us how complex life is on Earth and why it’s so important to protect our diverse ecosystems.
Organisms change to survive in different habitats, like on land or in water. These changes can be in their structure, behavior, or how their bodies work. They are very important for keeping the variety of life and a healthy balance in nature.
1. Changes in Land Environments:
Saving Water: Many animals and plants that live on land, like camels and cacti, have found ways to use less water. For example, cacti have thick stems and spiky parts instead of leaves. This helps them lose less water.
Keeping Cool or Warm: Animals such as Arctic foxes have thick fur to help them stay warm in really cold places.
Root Systems: Plants in land environments have deep or wide roots to find water and nutrients in the ground. An oak tree, for instance, can have roots that reach over 30 feet deep!
2. Changes in Water Environments:
Floating Ability: Animals in water, like fish, have swim bladders. This helps them stay at different depths in the water without using too much energy.
Breathing Underwater: Fish use gills to take oxygen from the water, which is very important for their survival. For instance, a salmon can breathe in water with very low oxygen levels.
Smooth Shape: Many aquatic animals have shapes that help them move easily through water. Sharks, for example, are sleek and can swim as fast as 30 miles per hour!
3. Environmental Effects:
Land Environments: Deserts, forests, and grasslands each have their own challenges, like extreme temperatures and how much water is available. Deserts, for example, get less than 10 inches of rain each year.
Water Environments: Oceans, rivers, and lakes differ in saltiness, temperature, and pressure. The ocean covers about 71% of Earth's surface and can be very deep, making it hard for some creatures to survive.
Conclusion:
In short, the changes in organisms happen because of the specific challenges in their habitats. Whether it's in land environments with limited water and extreme temperatures or in water environments with different salt levels and pressure, these changes help species survive and keep nature balanced. Knowing these differences shows us how complex life is on Earth and why it’s so important to protect our diverse ecosystems.