Plants and Animals of the Tropical Zone

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What is the tropical zone?

The tropical zone is an area of the Earth near the equator characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year.

Name two common types of plants found in the tropical zone.

Two common types of plants found in the tropical zone are palms and orchids.

Why do many plants in the tropical zone have large leaves?

Many plants in the tropical zone have large leaves to capture more sunlight and to help with transpiration in the humid environment.

What are epiphytes, and how do they survive in the tropical rainforest?

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants and derive nutrients and moisture from the air, rain, and debris accumulating around them. They survive by getting sunlight without competing with larger trees.

Name a famous tree from the tropical rainforest and its importance.

The Brazil nut tree is famous for its nuts, which are an important food source both locally and for export.

What adaptations help tropical birds survive in their environment?

Tropical birds often have bright colors for mating displays, strong beaks for cracking nuts or eating insects, and loud calls to communicate through dense foliage.

Describe a characteristic of tropical mammals.

Many tropical mammals, like monkeys, have prehensile tails to help them swing through trees.

How do tropical frogs protect themselves from predators?

Many tropical frogs have bright colors that warn predators of their toxicity, helping to deter attacks.

Name an example of a reptile found in the tropical zone and its adaptation.

The anaconda, found in tropical zones, is adapted to life in water with its streamlined body for swimming.

Why do many tropical rainforest animals live in the canopy?

Many animals live in the canopy to access abundant food resources like fruits, flowers, and insects, and to avoid ground-based predators.

What role do insects play in the tropical ecosystem?

Insects pollinate many tropical plants and serve as a crucial food source for other animals, maintaining the ecosystem's health.

What is one of the biggest threats to plants and animals in the tropical zone?

Deforestation is one of the biggest threats, as it destroys habitats and decreases biodiversity.

How does the climate of the tropical zone affect biodiversity?

The warm and moist climate supports a wide variety of life forms, leading to high biodiversity in the tropical zone.

What is a common method of seed dispersal in tropical rainforests?

Animals often eat fruits and later excrete the seeds in different locations, aiding in seed dispersal.

Why is preserving the tropical zone important for the planet?

Preserving the tropical zone is crucial due to its role in carbon absorption, oxygen production, and as a habitat for diverse species.





Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option


1. What is the tropical zone?

A region characterized by cold and dry weather throughout the year.

The tropical zone is an area of the Earth near the equator characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year.

A zone situated at the poles with extremely low temperatures.

A landscape with four distinct seasons including extreme heat in summer.

2. Name two common types of plants found in the tropical zone.

Palms and orchids.

Cacti and conifers.

Willows and pines.

Violets and tulips.

3. Why do many plants in the tropical zone have large leaves?

For better evaporation.

To deter herbivores.

To minimize water loss.

To capture more sunlight and to help with transpiration in the humid environment.

4. What are epiphytes, and how do they survive in the tropical rainforest?

Trees that float on water bodies, absorbing nutrients directly from fish.

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants and derive nutrients and moisture from the air, rain, and debris accumulating around them.

Shrubs that grow underground, conserving moisture from soil layers.

Vines that extract nutrients directly from host plant roots.

5. Name a famous tree from the tropical rainforest and its importance.

The baobab tree, known for storing water.

The mangrove, essential for coastal protection.

The Brazil nut tree, famous for its nuts, which are an important food source both locally and for export.

The olive tree, significant for oil production.

6. What adaptations help tropical birds survive in their environment?

Bright colors for mating displays, strong beaks, and loud calls.

Camouflage coloring for blending and sharp talons for hunting.

Thick feathers for insulation and webbed feet for swimming.

Long necks for reaching high preys and strong legs for running.

7. Describe a characteristic of tropical mammals.

Have nocturnal habits to avoid the intense cold.

Many tropical mammals, like monkeys, have prehensile tails to help them swing through trees.

Possess large ears for dissipating heat in dry environments.

Develop antifreeze proteins in their blood to survive.

8. How do tropical frogs protect themselves from predators?

By camouflaging with rocks and soil.

Many tropical frogs have bright colors that warn predators of their toxicity.

By burrowing into the ground during the day.

Through mimicking the sound of larger animals.

9. Name an example of a reptile found in the tropical zone and its adaptation.

Komodo dragon, adapted to extreme temperatures with scaly armor.

Chameleon, adapted for gliding with webbed limbs.

Gecko, adapted for sleek movement on sand.

The anaconda, adapted to life in water with its streamlined body for swimming.

10. Why do many tropical rainforest animals live in the canopy?

To avoid competing with aquatic reptiles.

To access abundant food resources and avoid ground-based predators.

To escape the cooler air on the forest floor.

To nest within the solid plant stems for protection.

11. What role do insects play in the tropical ecosystem?

Pollinating plants and serving as a crucial food source.

Cooling plants with their body moisture.

Cleaning up plant debris without aiding other species.

Providing foliage shelter without eating plants.

12. What is one of the biggest threats to plants and animals in the tropical zone?

Excessive rainfall.

Prolonged droughts.

Deforestation, which destroys habitats and decreases biodiversity.

Volcanic eruptions.

13. How does the climate of the tropical zone affect biodiversity?

The warm and moist climate supports a wide variety of life forms, leading to high biodiversity.

The alternating dry and wet seasons reduce biodiversity.

The extreme dryness of the climate limits plant and animal diversity.

The consistent cold environment facilitates fewer species survival.

14. What is a common method of seed dispersal in tropical rainforests?

Animals eat fruits and excrete the seeds elsewhere, aiding in dispersal.

Wind dispersal over vast distances.

Flood dispersal during seasonal rains.

Mechanical ejection by the plant itself.

15. Why is preserving the tropical zone important for the planet?

Because it eliminates natural predators that harm urban developments.

Due to its potential for future urban expansion.

Preserving the tropical zone is crucial due to its role in carbon absorption, oxygen production, and as a habitat for diverse species.

Only because it provides a habitat for seabirds.