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Page Facing Up

Theme B - Form & Function

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Direct Hit

Theme A - Unity & diversity

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Pill

Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence

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Keycap Digit One

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Hey there, future biologist! 🌱 Dive into the wild world of organism adaptations, and discover how nature makes life work in the weirdest places! Let&#39;s buckle up and take a trip to sand dunes and mangrove swamps!

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🚀 Big Idea: All living things (like us and plants) interact with their environment, which includes other living beings (biotic factors) and non-living things (abiotic factors). Think of biotic factors as your squad, and abiotic factors as the stage where you all perform!

<ul>
	<li>Tropical rainforests = Jungle party! Lots of living organisms (biotic factors rule!).</li>
	<li>Deserts or taiga = Lonely and challenging, with abiotic factors like temperature and water taking the lead.</li>
</ul>

Location Check: Think of heaps of sand in deserts and at the top of beaches. 🏖️

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Challenges for Plants

<ul>
	<li>Super thirsty land! Sand doesn&#39;t keep water for long.</li>
	<li>Salt overload! Sand near beaches = high salt = tough for plants to drink water.</li>
	<li>Need for special gear to grow here!</li>
</ul>

Star of the Sand: Grasses (especially Lyme grass in North America). 🌾 Lyme Grass&#39; Survival Kit

<ul>
	<li>Waxy cuticle: Like a waterproof jacket, keeps water in.</li>
	<li>Hidden stomata: Think of it as breathing in a small, humid alleyway away from harsh winds.</li>
	<li>Roll-up leaves: Creates a mini spa chamber to preserve moisture.</li>
	<li>Strong sclerenchyma: Stands tall even when thirsty.</li>
	<li>Rhizomes: Underground stems that act like water-finding straws.</li>
	<li>Fructans storage: Carb energy helps in drinking more water!</li>
</ul>

Location Check: Coastal chill zones in the tropics and subtropics where mud piles up. 🌊

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Challenges for Trees

<ul>
	<li>Soggy, airless (anaerobic) soils.</li>
	<li>Salty mud &ndash; even saltier than seawater because of seawater evaporation!</li>
</ul>

Mangrove Trees&#39; Arsenal

<ul>
	<li>Salt secretion: Sweating out the extra salt through leaf glands.</li>
	<li>Suberin-coated roots: Acts like a shield against too much salt.</li>
	<li>Cable roots: Breathing zones near the soil surface.</li>
	<li>Pneumatophores: Aerial roots that act like snorkels, breathing in air for the roots.</li>
	<li>Stilt roots: Supportive roots, like crutches in the squishy mud.</li>
	<li>Travel-ready seeds: Big, buoyant seeds that sail to new shores.</li>
	<li>Mineral and carb storage: Helps to drink water even from the salty land.</li>
</ul>

🎉 Real-World Takeaway: Imagine you had to wear super heavy shoes every day. That would be your adaptation to a world of floating islands! Just like those shoes would help you stay grounded, these plants have made their own &quot;shoes&quot; to thrive in their unique environments.

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Challenge for you: What kind of adaptation would you need if you lived in a world made entirely of jelly? Think and share your fun ideas!

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Remember, biology isn&#39;t just about what&#39;s in the books. It&#39;s all around you! So keep exploring and stay curious! 🚀🌱🔍

Unveiling Nature's Secrets: How Organisms Thrive in Extreme Habitats

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Higher Level

Biology HL

Theme B - Form & Function

Unveiling Nature's Secrets: How Organisms Thrive In Extreme Habitats

Table of content

Ecosystem vibes 🌳

Unlock the Full Content!

Theme B - Form & Function

Unveiling Nature's Secrets: How Organisms Thrive In Extreme Habitats

Table of content

Ecosystem vibes 🌳

Unlock the Full Content!