Organisms across diverse biomes possess specialized morphological and physiological adaptations to cope with environmental stresses such as anoxia, water scarcity, osmotic pressure, and high temperatures. Match each adaptive feature in Column A with its corresponding functional survival mechanism in Column B.
- Stilt roots with lenticels in *Rhizophora mangle*Facilitates atmospheric oxygen uptake to submerged root tissue and provides physical anchorage in unstable mud
- Nasal mucosa counter-current exchanger in desert mammalsCools expired air to condense water vapour back onto nasal membranes before exhalation
- High concentration retention of urea and TMAO in marine elasmobranchsMaintains an internal osmotic concentration slightly hypertonic to seawater to prevent fluid loss
- Gular fluttering in arid-zone birdsEnhances evaporative heat dissipation across vascularized buccal surfaces with minimal metabolic energy expenditure
Answer
The correct matching pairs are: Stilt roots with lenticels in *Rhizophora mangle* match atmospheric oxygen uptake and anchorage; Nasal mucosa counter-current exchanger matches cooling expired air to condense water vapour; High retention of urea and TMAO matches maintaining hypertonic fluid balance against seawater; Gular fluttering matches evaporative heat dissipation across vascularized buccal surfaces.
Each adaptation directly targets a specific ecological stress: mangrove stilt roots overcome soil anoxia by allowing oxygen transport via lenticels; nasal counter-current mucosal exchangers limit respiratory water evaporation; accumulation of urea and TMAO maintains osmotic equilibrium against marine salinity; and gular fluttering achieves thermoregulation without causing blood alkalosis.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Morphological and Physiological Adaptations to Environments
Estimated Time:2m 0s