Which would be an adaptation for living in the tundra? funnel shaped leaves to help water runoff deep roots to go into the permafrost hibernation to lower metabolism in the winter large ears to release heat
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Hibernation to lower metabolism in the winter
Explanation:
The tundra is a harsh environment characterized by extremely cold temperatures, strong winds, and short growing seasons. Animals and plants that inhabit the tundra have developed a variety of special adaptations that enable survival in these difficult conditions. Among these adaptations, hibernation is particularly important for animals.
Hibernation allows animals to survive the long, cold winters when food is scarce or unavailable. During hibernation, an animal’s metabolic rate drops significantly, reducing the amount of energy required to sustain basic bodily functions. Heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature all decrease, conserving energy over several months. This adaptation is essential in the tundra, where temperatures can remain below freezing for much of the year and snow covers the ground, limiting access to food sources.
Other options do not provide suitable adaptations for the tundra. Funnel-shaped leaves are more common in rainforest plants, where heavy rainfall requires efficient water runoff to prevent leaf damage. Deep roots that reach into the permafrost would not be practical because the frozen ground makes it difficult for roots to penetrate, and most tundra plants have shallow roots that take advantage of the thin layer of soil that thaws during the short summer. Large ears to release heat are adaptations typically found in animals living in hot, arid environments, such as deserts, where excess body heat needs to be dissipated.
Therefore, hibernation is a highly effective adaptation for surviving the tundra’s extreme cold and limited resources during winter, allowing animals to conserve energy until conditions improve.
