Question

Some organisms suspend their metabolic activities to survive in unfavorable conditions. Explain with the help of any four examples.

Answer 1

Hint: The abiotic factors can influence the number and type of biotic components in an ecosystem. Although, it is necessary to learn the adaptation for changing environmental conditions. Some organisms have different mechanisms to escape the harsh environment – for instance, some bacteria become spores that protect the cell from extreme conditions.

Complete answer:
(i) In bacteria, fungi, and lower plants, various kinds of thick-walled spores(cysts) are formed which help them to survive in unfavorable conditions - these germinate on the availability of a suitable environment.
(ii) The higher plants, seeds, and some other vegetative reproductive structures serve as means to tide over periods of stress besides helping in dispersal - they germinate to form new plants under favorable moisture and temperature conditions. They do as such by lessening their metabolic action and going into a date of ‘dormancy’.
(iii) In animals, the organism is not able to migrate then they might avoid the stress by escaping in time. The natural instance of bears hibernating during winter is an example of an escape in time. Some of the snails and fish go into aestivation to avoid the summer-related problems (heat and desiccation).
(iv) Under unfavorable conditions, many zooplankton species in lakes and ponds are known to enter the diapause phase, a stage of suspended development.

There are many kinds of organisms and they have distinct types of responses to the abiotic factors. They are as follows:
1. Regulate
2. Conform
3. Migrate
4. Suspend.
In the regulation, the organisms can maintain their body temperature, osmotic concentration and these organisms are specially Aves and Mammals.
In conformity, the organism is not able to maintain their body temperature and their osmotic concentration. These are mostly those animals that are present in aquatic and polar regions and nearly all the plants.
In the migration, the organism can move temporarily from the native place to survive as they cannot change or regulate their internal temperature. For example, Siberian cranes, which come to India's Keolado's National Park (Rajasthan).
In the Suspend, mostly in bacteria, fungi, and lower plants, various kinds of thick wall spores can be found, which help them to survive in unfavorable conditions and these spores burst when the outer environment is suitable for the seed to germinate.

Note: Allen’s Rule- This rule states that animals adapted to cold climates have shorter limbs and body appendages than animals, adapted to warm climates. This rule states that the body volume-to-surface area ratio for homeothermic animals varies inversely with the average temperature of the habitat. The ratio is high in cold climates and low in hot climates. For example; mammals from colder climates generally have shorter ears and limbs to minimize heat loss.