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Study the diagram of one-day-old hatchlings A and B below - NSC Life Sciences - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 2
Study the diagram of one-day-old hatchlings A and B below. The diagram is not drawn to scale. Egg shell A B The hatchling’s eyes ar... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Study the diagram of one-day-old hatchlings A and B below - NSC Life Sciences - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
State TWO visible features in hatchling A which indicate altricial development.
Answer
- The hatchling's eyes are closed, indicating that it is not fully developed and relies on parents for care.
- The hatchling is unable to move independently, showcasing its dependency on either the environment or parental support.
Step 2
Explain ONE possible advantage of vivipary when compared to ovipary.
Answer
Vivipary allows for the developing embryo to be nourished inside the mother's body, providing greater protection from environmental factors and predation. This ultimately increases the chances of survival for the offspring.
Step 3
Explain why you would expect that the yolk content of the egg of hatchling B is more than that of hatchling A.
Answer
Hatchling B, being more precocial, typically requires more energy at the start of its life. Therefore, a higher yolk content in its egg supports this need, providing sufficient nutrients for its development and enabling it to be more independent upon hatching.