Consider following four statements (1-4) about certain desert animals such as kangaroo rat. (1)

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11.Organisms and Populations

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Consider the following four statements $(1-4)$ about certain desert animals such as kangaroo rat.

$(1)$ They have dark colour and high rate of reproduction and excrete solid urine.

$(2)$ They do not drink water, breathe at a slow rate to conserve water and have their body covered with thick hairs.

$(3)$ They feed on dry seeds and do not require drinking water.

$(4)$ They excrete very concentrated urine and do not use water to regulate body temperature.

Which two of the above statements for such animals are true ?

$3$ and $1$

$1$ and $2$

$3$ and $4$

$2 $ and $3$

(AIPMT-2008)

Solution

(c) : Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami) feeds on dry seeds. It seldom drinks water. The requirement of water is met by food $(10\%)$ and metabolic water $(90\%)$. Water loss is prevented by living in burrows during the day, concentration of urine and solidification of faeces. It has a thick coat to minimise evaporative desiccation.

Standard 12

Biology