Aquatic Life Adaptations

 Today we learned more about how different marine mammals adapt to their environment. Specifically how whales adapt to their different ecosystems.and environments. They have adapted to their environment in these different ways:

- blubber

- hydrodynamic body shape

- modified circulatory system

- muscles with myoglobin

- flexible ribs (water pressure)

- able to produce a high frequency of sound (communication)





Blubber helps the whales minimize heat loss, this is especially important for whales in cold places. In addition, helping the whale with buoyancy. 

Hydrodynamic body shape helps the whales move swiftly and easily in and throughout different water currants. Specifically, a streamlined body shape delays the separation of flow, creates lower drag when they swim, and therefore decreases their locomotor cost. .Modified circulatory system This circulatory system helps to maintain body temperature, dissipate body heat, 

A modified circulatory system is used to maintain, adjust, or conserve body heat and temperature. 

Muscles with myoglobin are used to store oxygen while they deep dive. 

Flexible ribs help the whales deep dive without breaking under water pressure. In addition, the large ribs help create more buoyancy. 

Whales are also able to produce a high frequency of sound for communication. In addition, These sounds are usually made in the context of mating, competition for food or territory, contact calling, or general social communication.

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