Test: Variety of Organisms - 1 - JAMB MCQ

Structural adaptations refer to physical features or characteristics that help organisms survive in their environments. Camouflage is a structural adaptation that allows an organism to blend in with its surroundings, making it difficult for predators or prey to spot them. This adaptation helps the organism avoid predation and increases its chances of survival.

Functional adaptations are physiological or biochemical processes that enable organisms to perform specific functions necessary for survival. Photosynthesis is a functional adaptation in plants that allows them to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy-rich sugars, providing them with the necessary nutrients for growth and survival.

Nocturnal animals, which are active during the night, often possess specific adaptations to enhance their survival in low-light conditions. Having large eyes is a structural adaptation that allows them to gather more light, improving their vision in the dark and increasing their chances of detecting prey or predators.

Camouflage in animals allows them to blend in with their surroundings, making it harder for predators to detect them or for prey to notice their presence. By blending with the environment, animals can remain hidden, increasing their chances of survival.

Adaptive coloration refers to color patterns or markings that enable animals to adapt to their environment. Zebras possess unique black and white stripes, which act as a form of camouflage in their grassland habitats. This coloration helps to break up their body outline, making it difficult for predators, such as lions, to single out an individual zebra from a herd.

Warning coloration, also known as aposematism, involves animals displaying bright and conspicuous colors or patterns to signal to potential predators that they are toxic, venomous, or otherwise dangerous. This warning coloration serves as a deterrent, indicating to predators that attacking or consuming the animal may have negative consequences.

Behavioral adaptations in social animals are behaviors that are specifically developed to facilitate communication, cooperation, or social interaction within a group. Honey bees perform intricate dances, known as the waggle dance, to communicate the location of food sources to other members of the colony, ensuring the efficient collection of nectar and pollen.

Dominance hierarchies, commonly observed in social animals, help establish a structured social order within a group. These hierarchies determine the ranking or social status of individuals, which influences access to resources, such as food, mates, or shelter. By establishing a pecking order, social animals can minimize conflicts and maintain stability within the group.

Water conservation in plants is crucial, particularly in arid environments. One structural adaptation plants employ is the presence of a thick waxy cuticle on their leaves. This waxy layer reduces water loss by preventing excessive evaporation from the leaf surface, helping plants retain water and adapt to drier conditions.

The long neck of a giraffe is a remarkable structural adaptation that enables the animal to access food sources that are out of reach for other herbivores. By having a long neck, giraffes can browse on leaves from tall trees, where competition for resources is relatively low. This adaptation provides them with a selective advantage in their habitat.