Question

What abiotic factors would an animal most likely need to overcome first when adapting from a terrestrial to an aquatic biome or vice versa?

a. density and wave levels

b. salinity and oxygen levels

c. pressure and nutrient levels

d. none of the answers listed

e. temperature and light levels

Answer 1

Salinity and oxygen

In terrestrial environment, there is an abundance of air. The air is rich in oxygen. But in aquatic environment, the air is very less and the oxygen is dissolved in water. So the organism must undergo special adaptations so that it can take up oxygen from the water which is present in dissolved form.

Salinity is very important because in aquatic environment, the organism is in direct contact with salty water. This can be hypotonic or hypertonic for the cell.

Temperature is important in terrestrial environment but not in water because inside water it is regulated.

Light levels are also important in terrestrial environment because light cannot completely penetrate in water.

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