Class 5 Science - Animal Life - HOTS Questions

Q1: Do you agree with the statement 'Adaptations determine whether an animal will survive in a given environment'? Justify giving some suitable examples.
Ans: All animals adapt themselves to the conditions of their habitats for their survival.
Example - Polar bear have thick fur on their body to keep warm.
Camel can live in hot and dry desertic conditions.

Q2: Which of the following adaptations allows camels to survive in harsh desert environments?
(a) Hibernation
(b) Thick fur coat
(c) Hump for storing fat
(d) Sharp claws
Ans: (c)
Camels have humps that store fat, not water as commonly believed. This adaptation allows them to go for long periods without food and water in the desert. The fat in the hump acts as a reservoir of energy, providing sustenance during their arid environment travels.

Q3: What is the primary function of a kangaroo's tail?
(a) Balancing while jumping
(b) Storing food
(c) Attracting mates
(d) Sensing danger
Ans: (a)
A kangaroo's tail acts as a counterbalance when it jumps. The powerful hind legs propel the kangaroo forward, and the tail helps maintain balance, allowing it to cover long distances efficiently.

Q4: How do African elephants use their large ears to survive in their habitat?
(a) To help them fly
(b) As a cooling system
(c) To communicate with each other
(d) For camouflage
Ans: (b)
African elephants have large ears that play a crucial role in regulating their body temperature. When it gets hot, they flap their ears to cool down and dissipate excess heat, helping them survive in their warm habitat.

Q5: Why do snakes flick their tongues in and out constantly?
(a) To scare away predators
(b) To detect vibrations
(c) To clean their teeth
(d) To capture prey
Ans: (b)
Snakes flick their tongues in and out to collect scent particles from the air. When they bring their tongues back into their mouths, they insert them into a special organ called the Jacobson's organ, which helps them detect vibrations and sense their surroundings, including potential prey or predators.

Q6: Which of the following is a unique adaptation of the Arctic fox for surviving in cold environments?
(a) Sharp claws for climbing
(b) White fur coat for camouflage
(c) Large ears for hearing
(d) Ability to hibernate
Ans: (b)
The Arctic fox has a white fur coat that helps it blend into its snowy surroundings, making it less visible to predators and allowing it to sneak up on its prey more effectively. This camouflage adaptation is vital for survival in its cold and harsh habitat.

Q7: How does a chameleon change its color?
(a) By using pigments in its skin
(b) By absorbing light from its environment
(c) By generating electricity
(d) By altering its body shape
Ans: (a)
Chameleons change their color by using special cells in their skin that contain pigments. By expanding or contracting these cells, they can display different colors, which helps them communicate, regulate body temperature, and camouflage themselves from predators.

Q8: What is the primary purpose of the web spun by a spider?
(a) To create a home
(b) To catch prey
(c) To store food
(d) To lay eggs
Ans: (b)
Spiders spin webs primarily to catch their prey. The intricate structure of the web is designed to trap insects and other small creatures that the spider feeds on. Once the prey is caught, the spider will approach and immobilize it before consuming it.

Q9: Why do butterflies and moths have antennae on their heads?
(a) To help them navigate during migration
(b) To communicate with other insects
(c) To enhance their sense of smell
(d) To assist in carrying their eggs
Ans: (c)
Butterflies and moths have antennae covered in sensory receptors that allow them to detect pheromones released by potential mates and sense chemicals in their environment. This heightened sense of smell is crucial for finding food sources, identifying mates, and avoiding predators.

Q10: Which adaptation helps penguins survive in their aquatic habitat?
(a) Ability to fly
(b) Streamlined bodies
(c) Sharp claws for gripping ice
(d) Long necks for reaching food
Ans: (b)
Penguins have streamlined bodies, which reduces water resistance and allows them to swim efficiently through the water. Although they are excellent swimmers, penguins are flightless birds and have evolved to be more adept in their aquatic environment.

Q11: How do honeybees communicate the location of a food source to their hive members?
(a) By dancing
(b) By making high-pitched sounds
(c) By releasing colorful smoke
(d) By using sign language
Ans: (a)
Honeybees use a unique form of communication known as the "waggle dance" to convey the location of a food source to other members of the hive.