Starter quiz
- What are the two main types of cold environments?
- Rainforests and deserts
- Temperate and tropical
- Polar and tundra ✓
- Grasslands and savannas
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- Which of the following is an example of a polar environment?
- The Sahara Desert
- Antarctica ✓
- The Amazon Rainforest
- The Gobi Desert
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- Why are cold environments important?
- They store large amounts of carbon and help regulate global temperatures ✓
- They have no impact on the planet
- They provide warm habitats for many animals
- They produce high amounts of oxygen
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- What is a glacier?
- A frozen lake
- A large moving mass of ice ✓
- A deep ocean current
- A type of snowstorm
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- What type of animal is well adapted to life in polar environments?
- Camel
- Polar bear ✓
- Chimpanzee
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- What type of trees are often found in cold environments?
- Deciduous trees
- Mangroves
- Evergreen coniferous trees ✓
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Exit quiz
- Match the lesson keywords to their definition.
- adaptation⇔evolutionary changes that improve an organism’s chance of survival ✓
- hibernation⇔a state that animals enter to save energy during winter ✓
- biodiversity⇔the variety of different types of life found in a particular area ✓
- ecosystem⇔a community of living organisms interacting with the environment ✓
- Why do animals in cold environments have thick fur or feathers?
- To make them look bigger
- To help them stay warm by trapping heat ✓
- To help them move faster
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- Which of the following are ways in which cotton grass has adapted to tundra conditions?
- Deep roots to tap into underground nutrient and water stores
- Low-lying to shelter from strong winds ✓
- Fast-growing seeds to take advantage of the short growing season ✓
- Small seeds to be dispersed easily by the wind over a large area ✓
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- Which of these animals enter full hibernation during the winter?
- Moose
- Grizzly bear ✓
- Wolf
- Arctic ground squirrel ✓
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Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Cold environments are home to a variety of plants and animals.
- Animals in cold environments are well adapted to the physical conditions.
- Plants in cold environments are well adapted to the physical conditions.
- There are issues related to biodiversity in cold environments.
Common misconception
That due to the extreme cold climate, particularly during the winter months, that all animals must hibernate to save energy.
Only two polar or tundra species enter full hibernation - the grizzly bear and arctic ground squirrel. Many other animals migrate to find food and warmth, while others are highly adapted to remain active and survive the extremely cold winters.
Keywords
Adaptation - evolutionary changes that improve an organism’s chance of survival in its environment
Hibernation - a state that certain animals enter to save energy during periods of unfavourable weather conditions or food shortages
Biodiversity - the variety of different types of life found in a particular area
Ecosystem - a community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment