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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a common adaptation that helps terrestrial animals reduce water loss?
A
Increasing the number of sweat glands
B
Excreting large amounts of dilute urine
C
Developing waterproof body coverings such as scales or waxy cuticles
D
Breathing exclusively through moist skin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the problem: The question asks about adaptations in terrestrial animals that help reduce water loss. Terrestrial animals face challenges in conserving water due to their environment, so adaptations are crucial for survival.
Analyze the options: Evaluate each choice to determine whether it contributes to reducing water loss. For example, increasing sweat glands would lead to more water loss, and excreting large amounts of dilute urine would also result in water loss. These options are not effective adaptations for conserving water.
Focus on the correct adaptation: Developing waterproof body coverings, such as scales or waxy cuticles, is a common adaptation in terrestrial animals. These coverings create a barrier that minimizes water evaporation and loss, helping the animal retain moisture.
Consider the fourth option: Breathing exclusively through moist skin is not a common adaptation for reducing water loss. In fact, animals that rely on moist skin for respiration (like amphibians) often live in environments where water is readily available, as their skin must remain moist for gas exchange.
Conclude the reasoning: The correct adaptation for reducing water loss in terrestrial animals is developing waterproof body coverings, as this directly addresses the challenge of conserving water in dry environments.