Polar and tundra enviroments

Cards (30)

  • What are the learning objectives for today's lesson?
    Characteristics and adaptations of polar and tundra environments
  • What does "characteristics" refer to in the context of polar and tundra environments?
    Climate, soil, plants, animals, and people
  • What is the climate like in polar regions?
    Very cold, below freezing
  • What temperatures can polar winters drop to?
    Minus 40 degrees Celsius
  • What is the maximum temperature that polar regions can reach?
    Minus 90 degrees Celsius
  • What covers polar areas, preventing soil exposure?
    Ice sheets
  • Name two types of plants found in polar regions.
    Lichens and mosses
  • What animals are commonly found in polar regions?
    Polar bears, penguins, whales, and seals
  • How populated are polar regions?
    Mostly uninhabited
  • Who lives in the Arctic region?
    Indigenous people and a few scientists
  • What is the climate like in tundra regions?
    Slightly warmer, can reach up to 10 degrees Celsius
  • Describe the soil in tundra regions.
    Thin, acidic, and not very fertile
  • What types of plants are found in tundra regions?
    Hardly any shrubs, grasses, or mosses
  • Name two animals found in tundra regions.
    Lemmings and wolves
  • Who lives in tundra regions?
    Indigenous people and oil and gas workers
  • What do both polar and tundra environments have in common?
    Low precipitation and well-defined seasons
  • What is permafrost?
    A layer of frozen ground in both environments
  • When does most growth occur in polar and tundra environments?
    During the short warm period
  • What feature helps cotton grass survive in winter?
    Low-lying structure covered by snow
  • How does cotton grass disperse its seeds?
    Seeds scatter in the wind
  • What adaptation helps cotton grass reduce water loss?
    Narrow leaves
  • How is cotton grass adapted to a short growing season?
    It has a short life cycle
  • What feature of cotton grass helps reduce heat loss?
    Dense flower heads
  • How do darker leaves benefit cotton grass?
    They help absorb energy from the sun
  • What is a key adaptation of polar bears for camouflage?
    White appearance on snow and ice
  • How do polar bears insulate against the cold?
    Thick layer of fat and fur
  • What adaptation minimizes heat loss in polar bears?
    Small surface area to volume ratio
  • How does a polar bear's coat help after swimming?
    Greasy coat sheds water
  • What adaptation helps polar bears on ice?
    Large feet for grip and load distribution
  • What is the purpose of the video mentioned at the end?
    To subscribe for more GCSE content