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Question
Biology
Posted 4 months ago
Please list three challenges faced by Tetrapods in adapting to a terrestrial environment. Then, list three compensatory adaptations (discussed in lecture)that they evolved and explain how each one helped them to overcome the challenge.
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Answer from Sia
Posted 4 months ago
Answer
Challenges faced by Tetrapods in adapting to a terrestrial environment and their compensatory adaptations
Solution
a
Desiccation: Tetrapods risked drying out on land due to the absence of the surrounding water environment
b
Support: In water, buoyancy supports an organism's body, but on land, tetrapods had to develop structures to support their own weight
c
Respiration: Tetrapods needed to evolve efficient ways to exchange gases in air, as opposed to water
a
Development of impermeable skin and eggshells: To prevent desiccation, tetrapods evolved a skin that reduces water loss and amniotic eggs with shells that protect the embryo from drying out
b
Evolution of limbs and skeletal changes: Stronger limbs with digits and a more robust skeletal structure evolved to support the body's weight on land
c
Lungs and rib ventilation: Tetrapods developed lungs capable of extracting oxygen from the air and a rib mechanism to ventilate them
Key Concept
Tetrapods evolved specific adaptations to overcome the challenges of a terrestrial environment.
Explanation
These adaptations include changes to prevent water loss, support body weight on land, and facilitate air breathing, which were crucial for the successful transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.

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