Freshwater Adaptations and Importance

The video explores the scarcity of freshwater on Earth, illustrating that if all Earth's water were in a gallon jug, freshwater would be just a teaspoon. It highlights the distribution of water using visual aids and examines how living organisms adapt to environments with varying freshwater availability. The video features Lake Baikal's nerpa seal, which has adapted to its icy freshwater habitat, and the Sahara Desert's addax antelope, which changes its coat color to manage heat and water needs. The video concludes that adaptation is key for survival in diverse environments.

Why is freshwater essential for life on Earth?

• It is used for recreational activities.

• It is necessary for drinking and survival.

• It is needed for transportation.

• It is used for industrial purposes.

If all of Earth's water were placed into a gallon jug, how much would represent freshwater?

• A tablespoon

• A cup

• A teaspoon

• A drop

What does the largest blue dot in the visual aid represent?

• All of Earth's water, both salt and fresh

• All of Earth's saltwater

• All of Earth's freshwater

• All of Earth's groundwater

What is unique about the nerpa seal?

• It is the only seal that lives in saltwater.

• It is one of the few species of freshwater seals.

• It can fly.

• It lives in the desert.

How do nerpa seals adapt to the thick ice covering Lake Baikal in winter?

• They migrate to warmer areas.

• They use their strong flippers to create breathing holes.

• They develop thicker fur.

• They hibernate until the ice melts.

What adaptation helps the addax antelope survive in the Sahara Desert?

• It can fly.

• It has webbed feet.

• It changes the color of its coat.

• It stores water in its hump.

Why does the addax antelope's coat turn white in the summer?

• To scare away predators.

• To blend in with the snow.

• To reflect sunlight and keep cool.

• To attract mates.

What is the main source of freshwater for animals in the Sahara Desert?

• Rivers

• Lakes that change with rainfall

• Underground reservoirs

• Oceans

What have we learned about the adaptability of living organisms?

• Only animals near freshwater can survive.

• Animals cannot adapt to different water conditions.

• Only plants can adapt to varying water availability.

• Both animals near and far from freshwater can thrive if they adapt.

What is the key factor for survival in environments with limited freshwater?

• Migration

• Predation

• Adaptation

• Hibernation