Latitudinal variations, Biology

Assignment Help:

Latitudinal Variations

The latitudinal variation of temperature over the earth is the result of two main variables

  • incoming solar radiation and
  • the distribution of land and water masses

 

What do you think could be the other factors influencing temperature?

The movement of wind and water, and the direction of slopes of hills and mountains also modify the temperature.

We know that the length of the day varies at higher latitudes. That means the incoming solar radiation varies. However, if we compute the average, every point on the earth gets the same total hours of daylight each year, an average of 12 hours per day, but not the same amount of heat. The latter depends upbn the amount of radiant energy delivered/unit area/hr and this depends upon the angle of landing sunlight. You have learnt in the previous section that vertical beams afe more intense than the oblique beams that land on the higher latitudes. Hence we find a gradual decrease in the amount of incident radiant energytunit area along the increasing latitudes, horizontally.

On the basis of temperature variation three distinct heat zones can be distinguished in each hemisphere (Figure shown below). The hot torrid zones are near the equator. moderate or temperate zones are in the middle, the cold zones are at the poles. Each zone is characterised by typical plants and animal populations found in the area.

1963_heat zones.jpg


Related Discussions:- Latitudinal variations

Complications in gastric ulcers, Q. Complications in Gastric ulcers? Pe...

Q. Complications in Gastric ulcers? Peptic ulcers if not managed properly can result in serious consequences which can even be life threatening. The complications involved in

Study of embryology, Embryology This is the study of growth, fertilizatio...

Embryology This is the study of growth, fertilization, division or differential of the zygote into embryo of early development of living beings before the attainment of structure

Chlamydiosis, CHLAMYDIOSIS Amongst various causes of morbidity and mortali...

CHLAMYDIOSIS Amongst various causes of morbidity and mortality chlamydiosis is recognized as one of the important infectious conditions and emerging as threat to the livestock due

What is the function of the feet in molluscs, Q. What is the function of th...

Q. What is the function of the feet in molluscs? How is the mollusc foot related to the name given to the classes of the phylum? The mollusc foot has the function of support, l

What is microbodies , What is Microbodies ? Microbodies : Microbodi...

What is Microbodies ? Microbodies : Microbodies are formed by pinching off of vesicles from rough endoplasmic reticulum. They are not found in every cell, but are present a

What would be the probability the result, A plant grown from one of Mendel'...

A plant grown from one of Mendel's yellow pea is selfed. Three progeny peas from this are obtained and they are all green. Is the original plant homozygous or heterozygous, and wha

How occlusal load affect osseointegration, Q. How Occlusal load affect osse...

Q. How Occlusal load affect osseointegration? Overloading the recognizing bone tissue prematurely will cause failure of osseointegration. A two stage surgery is advised routine

Explain membrane permeability, A pure  phospholipid  bilayer with  its  hyd...

A pure  phospholipid  bilayer with  its  hydrophobic  interior,  is permeable  to water and gases such as O2, CO2, N2 and small uncharged  polar molecules such as urea, ethanol, bu

Explain the process of canning, Explain the Process of Canning? The bas...

Explain the Process of Canning? The basic principles of canning have not changed dramatically since Nicholas Appert and Peter Durand developed the process. Heat sufficient to d

Explain food habits - diet presciption, Food Habits Food Habits: These ...

Food Habits Food Habits: These must be known  so that the diets  can  be  recommended keeping in mind the  food preferences  of  the patient. Whether a person is  a vegetarian

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd