Olympiad Test: Weather, Climate And Adaptations Of Animals -2 - Class 7 MCQ

Which departments prepare weather reports?

Weather reports are prepared by the Meteorological Department.

The following departments do not prepare weather reports:

1. Health Department


2. Environment Department


3. Pollution Department

Explanation:

Weather reports are prepared by specialized organizations that focus specifically on meteorology. These organizations gather data from various sources, including weather stations, satellites, and weather balloons, to analyze and predict weather patterns.

The Meteorological Department, also known as the Meteorological Agency or the National Weather Service, is responsible for monitoring and forecasting weather conditions. They utilize advanced technology and scientific methods to collect and analyze weather data and provide accurate and timely weather reports.

On the other hand, the Health Department is primarily concerned with monitoring and promoting public health, the Environment Department focuses on environmental conservation and protection, and the Pollution Department deals with monitoring and controlling pollution levels. While these departments may consider weather conditions as part of their work, they do not specialize in preparing weather reports.

Therefore, the correct answer is D: Meteorological Department.

Weather is predicted by considering:
- Amount of water vapour: The presence and concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere play a crucial role in determining weather conditions. The amount of water vapour affects humidity, cloud formation, and precipitation.
- The movement of air: The movement of air, including wind patterns, is another important factor in weather prediction. The direction and speed of air currents help determine weather patterns and can indicate the arrival of weather fronts or changes in atmospheric pressure.
- Temperature: Temperature is a key parameter in weather prediction. It influences atmospheric stability, the formation of clouds, and the likelihood of precipitation. Temperature variations also contribute to the creation of weather systems, such as high and low-pressure systems.
- All of the above: Weather prediction takes into account all of these factors and their interactions to provide accurate forecasts. By analyzing the amount of water vapour, the movement of air, and temperature patterns, meteorologists can make predictions about future weather conditions.
Considering these factors together allows meteorologists to create weather models and make accurate forecasts. By monitoring and analyzing changes in water vapour, air movement, and temperature, meteorologists can predict weather patterns and provide essential information for planning and safety purposes.

Answer:
- The tail maintains balance in a monkey.
- Monkeys have a long, flexible tail that acts as a counterbalance while they move and jump through trees.
- The tail helps them to maintain equilibrium and stability, especially when navigating through branches.
- It allows the monkey to make quick and precise movements, helping them to jump from one branch to another without losing balance.
- The tail also helps in climbing steep surfaces by providing support and acting as an additional limb.
- Without a tail, monkeys would find it difficult to move efficiently and maintain balance in their arboreal habitats.
- Therefore, the tail plays a crucial role in maintaining balance in a monkey.

To determine which region of sheep has thicker fur, we need to consider the temperature conditions in each region.
Given:
Sheep in ______ region have thicker fur than the sheep living in ______ region.
We can infer the following:
- Sheep living in colder regions tend to have thicker fur to provide insulation against the cold temperatures.
- Sheep living in warmer regions may have thinner fur as they do not require as much insulation.
Using this information, we can determine the correct answer:
Option A: cold, warm
- In this option, sheep in the cold region have thicker fur, which is consistent with our understanding that sheep in colder regions require more insulation.
- Sheep in the warm region have thinner fur, as they do not require as much insulation.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A: cold, warm.

Explanation:
The scaly skin of snakes serves multiple purposes and provides various advantages for their survival. Here are the detailed reasons why snakes have scaly skin:
1. Protection:
- The scales on a snake's skin act as a protective layer against potential threats and predators.
- The scales are tough and thick, acting as a physical barrier to protect the snake's body from injuries and external damages.
2. Prevents dehydration:
- The scaly skin helps in preventing excessive water loss from the snake's body, especially in arid environments.
- The scales form a waterproof barrier, reducing the evaporation of moisture and keeping the snake hydrated for longer periods.
3. Facilitates movement:
- The scales on a snake's belly provide traction and grip, allowing them to move smoothly on various surfaces.
- The scales also reduce friction between the snake's body and the ground, enabling them to crawl efficiently.
4. Camouflage and coloration:
- The scales on a snake's skin often have patterns and colors that help them blend into their surroundings.
- This camouflage allows snakes to ambush prey more effectively and remain hidden from potential predators.
5. Shedding:
- Snakes shed their old and worn-out skin periodically, a process known as ecdysis.
- The scaly skin allows snakes to shed their entire outer layer, revealing a fresh and vibrant skin underneath.
In conclusion, the scaly skin of snakes serves multiple purposes, including protection, preventing dehydration, facilitating movement, providing camouflage, and enabling the shedding process. It is an essential adaptation that contributes to the survival and success of snakes in their diverse habitats.

Adaptive characteristics that may help an animal survive in the polar region:
- Growth of thick fur on its skin: This adaptation helps the animal to stay warm in the cold polar climate by providing insulation. The thick fur traps air close to the body, creating a layer of insulation that helps to retain body heat.
- Sharp beaks and strong claws: These characteristics are not particularly adaptive for survival in the polar region. They are more suited for hunting, acquiring food, or defending against predators. In the polar region, the availability of food is limited, and the extreme cold makes hunting difficult.
- Lightweight wings to fly: This characteristic is also not particularly adaptive for survival in the polar region. Flying requires a significant amount of energy, and the polar region does not provide abundant food sources to support sustained flight.
- Growth of thick and less hairy skin: This adaptation is not particularly helpful for survival in the polar region. Thick and less hairy skin would not provide sufficient insulation to protect against the extreme cold.
Therefore, the most adaptive characteristic for survival in the polar region is the growth of thick fur on the animal's skin.

The Adaptation Mechanism of Chameleon:
The adaptation mechanism of chameleons is their ability to change colors to suit their surroundings. This unique characteristic allows them to camouflage and blend in with their environment, providing several advantages for their survival. Here is a detailed explanation of this adaptation:
1. Chromatophores:
Chameleons have specialized cells called chromatophores in their skin, which contain pigments that can change the color of the skin. These pigments respond to various stimuli, such as temperature, light, and mood, enabling chameleons to alter their appearance.
2. Camouflage:
Changing colors helps chameleons blend into their environment, making them less visible to predators and prey. They can match the colors of leaves, branches, or even the ground, providing them with excellent camouflage and protection.
3. Communication:
Chameleons also change colors as a means of communication. They use different color patterns to signal aggression, submission, or mating readiness to other chameleons, allowing them to establish territories and attract mates.
4. Thermoregulation:
Color change in chameleons is not solely for camouflage or communication purposes. It also aids in thermoregulation, helping them regulate their body temperature. By altering the color of their skin, chameleons can either absorb or reflect sunlight, maintaining an optimal body temperature.
5. Environmental Adaptation:
The ability to change colors allows chameleons to adapt to different environmental conditions. Whether it is a change in light, temperature, or habitat, they can adjust their appearance to match their surroundings, enhancing their chances of survival.
In conclusion, the adaptation mechanism of chameleons is their remarkable ability to change colors. This adaptation provides them with camouflage, communication, thermoregulation, and environmental adaptation benefits, all of which contribute to their survival in their natural habitats.

Adaptations of a Polar Bear:

• White fur is not easily visible in the snowy white background: This adaptation helps polar bears blend in with their environment, making it easier for them to hunt prey and avoid predators.


• Long, curved and sharp claws help to walk on ice: Polar bears have strong, sharp claws that help them grip onto the slippery ice surfaces. These claws are important for walking, hunting, and climbing in their icy habitat.


• Very strong sense of smell to locate its prey: Polar bears have an excellent sense of smell, which allows them to detect seals and other prey hidden under the snow or ice. This adaptation helps them find food even when it is not easily visible.

Plants in cold regions shed leaves during winter season.
Explanation:
- Winter is the season when temperatures drop and cold weather prevails in cold regions.
- During winter, plants in cold regions go through a process called "winter dormancy" or "winter rest."
- Winter dormancy is a survival mechanism for plants to protect themselves from the extreme cold and lack of sunlight.
- As a part of this process, plants shed their leaves to conserve energy and reduce water loss.
- Shedding leaves during winter helps plants to redirect their energy towards essential survival processes such as root growth and nutrient storage.
- By shedding leaves, plants also reduce the surface area through which water can be lost, preventing dehydration in the cold and dry winter conditions.
- Once winter is over and the temperatures start to rise, plants in cold regions start growing new leaves during the spring season.

Travelling long distances to avoid hardships of winter is called migration.
Migration is a phenomenon observed in many animal species, where individuals or populations move from one region to another, typically in response to changing environmental conditions. In the case of travelling long distances to avoid the hardships of winter, it is specifically referred to as winter migration.
Reasons for winter migration:
- Cold temperatures: Many animals, especially those that are not well-adapted to cold temperatures, migrate to warmer regions to avoid freezing temperatures and the associated difficulties in finding food and shelter.
- Lack of resources: Winter is often characterized by a scarcity of food and water sources. By migrating to regions with more abundant resources, animals increase their chances of survival.
- Breeding opportunities: Some animal species migrate to specific regions during the winter to take advantage of better breeding conditions, such as warmer temperatures and availability of suitable nesting sites.
- Predation avoidance: In some cases, migration is a strategy to escape from predators that are more active during the winter months.
Examples of winter migration:
- Birds: Many bird species migrate to warmer regions during winter, as they rely on insects and other food sources that become scarce in colder climates.
- Whales: Some whale species undertake long migrations to reach warmer breeding grounds during winter.
- Butterflies: Certain butterfly species migrate to warmer regions during winter, as their food sources are not available in colder climates.
- Caribou: Caribou herds undertake extensive migrations in search of food and to escape the harsh winter conditions.
Overall, migration is an important adaptive behavior that allows animals to survive and thrive in different environments throughout the year. Winter migration specifically helps animals avoid the hardships of winter and ensure their survival until more favorable conditions return.