(a) List four adaptive features of animals that climb rain forest trees. (b) State five important uses of water to organisms in the tropical rain forest. (c...

Answer Details

(a) Four adaptive features of animals that climb rain forest trees

• Long, curved claws or nails for gripping bark and branches.
• Prehensile (grasping) tail or limbs for holding on to branches.
• Opposable digits (fingers and toes) for firm grasping.
• Adhesive pads/suckers on toes (as in tree frogs) and strong, well-developed limb muscles for climbing and leaping.

(b) Five important uses of water to organisms in the tropical rain forest

• Water is the medium (raw material) for photosynthesis in green plants.
• It is a solvent and medium for transport of dissolved food, minerals and wastes within organisms.
• It is needed for germination of seeds and for turgidity/support in plants.
• It serves as a habitat for aquatic organisms and for drinking by animals.
• It aids temperature regulation (cooling by transpiration and sweating) and biochemical reactions.

(c) Measuring temperature as an ecological factor: temperature is measured using a thermometer. Air (atmospheric) temperature is read from a mercury or alcohol thermometer placed in shade; soil temperature is taken with a soil thermometer buried at the required depth; and maximum-minimum (six's) thermometers record the highest and lowest temperatures over a period. Readings are taken in degrees Celsius.

(d)(i) Two scientists who contributed to the study of evolution: Charles Darwin and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (Alfred Russel Wallace also acceptable).

(ii) Five evidences supporting the occurrence of evolution

• Fossil records showing gradual change of organisms over time.
• Comparative anatomy (homologous and vestigial structures).
• Comparative embryology (similar early embryonic stages).
• Geographical distribution of organisms.
• Cell biology / biochemistry (similar cell structure and molecules such as DNA and proteins).