Question

Features of the organism that colonizes inhospitable environments :

A) Ability to survive in high levels of salinity.
B) Production of protective exoskeletons or shells.
C) Enhanced ability to tolerate desiccation (extreme dryness).
D) Adaptations for utilizing alternative energy sources.

Answer 1

Organisms colonizing inhospitable environments have features like high salinity tolerance, exoskeletons or shells, desiccation tolerance, and alternative energy utilization.

Step-by-step explanation:

Organisms that colonize inhospitable environments have various features that allow them to survive and thrive. These include:

1. Ability to survive in high levels of salinity: For example, Halobacterium is an extremophile that can live in highly saline conditions
2. Production of protective exoskeletons or shells: Early arthropods evolved exoskeletons to support their bodies on land while retaining water
3. Enhanced ability to tolerate desiccation: Some organisms, like marine iguanas, have adaptations to tolerate extreme dryness
4. Adaptations for utilizing alternative energy sources: Single-celled chemoautotrophs at hydrothermal vents use energy stored in chemicals to produce food