Lesson 1 | Climates of Earth - Fulda



Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Climates of Earth

Directions: Use the clues and the terms listed below to complete the puzzle. NOTE: There is no empty square in

the puzzle between the words of two-word terms.

|climate |microclimate |precipitation |rain shadow |specific heat |

Clues

Across

4. a localized climate that is different

from the climate of the larger

surrounding area

5. water that falls from the atmosphere

Down

1. the amount of thermal energy needed

to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a

material by 1°C

2. an area of low rainfall on the

downwind slope of a mountain

3. long-term average weather conditions

in a particular region

Climate 9

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Climates of Earth

Directions: On each line, write the term from the word bank that correctly completes each sentence. Some terms

might be used more than once or not at all.

|altitude |climate |latitude |localized |ocean current |

|precipitation |rain shadow |solar energy |specific heat |weather |

1. Climate is the long-term average conditions that occur in

a particular region.

2. The amount of per unit of Earth’s surface is related to

latitude.

3. A tall mountain has a cold, snowy climate because of its .

4. An area of low rainfall on the downward slope of a mountain is called

a(n) .

5. The amount of thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a material

by 1°C is the material’s .

6. The climates along coastlines differ from those in the middle of a continent because

water has a high .

7. The Gulf Stream is a warm that modifies climate.

8. A microclimate is a(n) climate that is different from the

climate of the larger area surrounding it.

9. Climate is classified based on , temperature, and native

vegetation.

14 Climate

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Climates of Earth

Key Concept Why is one climate different from another?

Directions: Use the diagram to answer each question or respond to each statement on the lines provided.

1. What do the numbers in the diagram represent?

2. What is the latitude of the equator?

3. Summarize what this diagram shows about the effect of latitude on the amount of

solar energy per unit of Earth’s surface area.

4. How does latitude affect climate?

5. What other areas have a climate similar to the climate near the poles?

Climate 17

Name Date Class

LESSON 1

Animal Adaptations for Extreme Climates

An adaptation is a characteristic that

makes it possible for an animal species to

survive and reproduce in a particular place

and in a particular climate. If individual

animals die without reproducing, then the

species will not survive. Some individuals

might not have a particular survival

characteristic. But if the species has it, then

the species will survive.

Extreme Climates

The two most extreme climates on

Earth are extremely cold (polar climates) or

extremely hot (desert climates). Humans

are not adapted to either of these climates.

That is, we cannot live there without some

external facility to protect us from the cold

or heat. Other animals make their homes

in these climates.

Most animals are able to survive only

within a specific range of temperatures called

their range of tolerance. Polar bears are

tolerant of much lower average temperatures

than koala bears are. The temperature inside

the bodies of most organisms depends on

the temperature of the environment. The

temperature inside the bodies of mammals

and birds stays warm regardless of the

temperature of the environment. Special

adaptations and ranges of tolerance are

required by both types of organisms.

Adaptations to a Desert Climate

Lack of water and extreme heat create

survival challenges for animals that live in the

desert. Desert species have developed physical

and behavioral characteristics that help

them survive and thrive in a desert climate.

Most animals try to avoid the extreme

daytime heat by being active only at night.

They sleep during the day in a shady place

or in a burrow that they seal shut. Desert

foxes, skunks, snakes, and most rodents

avoid extreme heat in this manner. Some

animals, such as jackrabbits, have long legs

and ears that dissipate heat from their

bodies. Owls and nighthawks pant with

their beaks open to dissipate heat. The

desert ground squirrel goes into a state of

estivation—a type of summer hibernation—

in a burrow to sleep through the hottest

part of the summer.

Acquiring water or conserving body

moisture is another profound challenge to

desert survival. The adaptations for

accomplishing this are as varied as the

animals. The desert toad remains dormant

deep in the ground until the spring rains

fill the short-lived desert ponds. Then it

digs out, breeds, lays eggs, and soaks up

moisture before the ponds evaporate. Many

desert creatures get their water from desert

plants, such as cacti.

Applying Critical-Thinking Skills

Directions: Respond to each statement.

1. Compare physical adaptations to climate with behavioral adaptations to climate.

2. Assess how humans might become adapted to living without clothing or manufactured

housing in the natural world. Identify a climate in which humans could survive without

the amenities of modern human society. Explain how they could survive.

20 Climate

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Content Vocabulary

Content Practice B

Key Concept Builder

Enrichment

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