Discussion
(Separate Section)
Discussion
Why do the two animal species have different adaptations?
A large reason as to why these two animal species have different adaptations is because they live in completely different environments. The Short-beaked Echidna is a land-based animal while the Duck-billed Platypus is mainly a water-based animal. Therefore the Echidna faces completely different challenges compared to the Platypus. The Echidna has to develop adaptations that allow it to survive against its many dangerous land predators, as well as adapt to finding food. The Echidna has adapted to finding food by breaking into insect nests and flinging its tongue into them. Whereas the Platypus has adapted in different ways. It has developed ways to survive underwater for longer as well as to find food underwater. By sweeping its bill, the Platypus is able to locate where they are going as well as find food. However they have also needed to adapt in order to survive against many of its predators underwater, which are usually species bigger than them. Ultimately, these two animal species live in different environments, have different threats and enemies, eat different food and cope against different challenges. As a result, each of them has developed different adaptations that allow them to survive in their own habitat.
A large reason as to why these two animal species have different adaptations is because they live in completely different environments. The Short-beaked Echidna is a land-based animal while the Duck-billed Platypus is mainly a water-based animal. Therefore the Echidna faces completely different challenges compared to the Platypus. The Echidna has to develop adaptations that allow it to survive against its many dangerous land predators, as well as adapt to finding food. The Echidna has adapted to finding food by breaking into insect nests and flinging its tongue into them. Whereas the Platypus has adapted in different ways. It has developed ways to survive underwater for longer as well as to find food underwater. By sweeping its bill, the Platypus is able to locate where they are going as well as find food. However they have also needed to adapt in order to survive against many of its predators underwater, which are usually species bigger than them. Ultimately, these two animal species live in different environments, have different threats and enemies, eat different food and cope against different challenges. As a result, each of them has developed different adaptations that allow them to survive in their own habitat.
A discussion as to which class of organisms (plant or animal) would be expected to have the greater tolerance range for temperature changes and provide a reason to support your answer.
From what I have researched, I believe that the class of organisms with the greater tolerance range for temperature changes is plants. I have come to this conclusion for many reasons and one of which is the fact that wherever you go in the environment, you will most likely see plants. Whether it is just grass or a tree, there is always some sort of plant in sight. This is because as long as they get their basic needs of sunlight and water, they will usually be able to grow no matter what the temperature is. They don’t need to worry about freezing to death or getting to hot as long as they have their basic needs provided. Another reason why plants have a greater tolerance range for temperatures over animals is that with animals, they usually can only live in one particular environment that provides constant temperatures that suit them. However if these temperatures change then they will struggle to survive. For example an animal like an elephant wouldn’t be able to cope if it was placed in Antarctica, but only in its main environment in the heat. They need to have a certain amount of skin to keep warm and be able to find water when it is hot. However with plants, the water comes to them and it doesn’t matter if they are warm or not they can survive either way. |
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Interesting facts about each Species
Echidna: The Short-beaked Echidna is covered in spines, however what is surprising is that these spines are actually modified hairs.
Platypus: A long time ago when the first descriptions of the Platypus were made and live specimens of the Platypus were taken back to Europe for study, many of the scientists believed that the animal was a trick. They though it was actually a beaver's body sewn together with a duck's bill for some joke.
Mountain Ash: Surprisingly, the Mountain Ash tree is in fact one of the world’s tallest hardwood flowering plants and can reach heights of around 100 metres and above.
Echidna: The Short-beaked Echidna is covered in spines, however what is surprising is that these spines are actually modified hairs.
Platypus: A long time ago when the first descriptions of the Platypus were made and live specimens of the Platypus were taken back to Europe for study, many of the scientists believed that the animal was a trick. They though it was actually a beaver's body sewn together with a duck's bill for some joke.
Mountain Ash: Surprisingly, the Mountain Ash tree is in fact one of the world’s tallest hardwood flowering plants and can reach heights of around 100 metres and above.