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

Characters of the hemichordata, Two typical characters of the Hemichordata ...

Two typical characters of the Hemichordata that can be observed and used to identify them are: i) Soft, worm-like or short unsegmented body. ii) Body is divided into a (i) pr

Explain the process of nuclear reorganization, Process of nuclear reorganiz...

Process of nuclear reorganization in protozoa in which nucleus divides, each half undergoes a maturation, and two persisting functional nuclei reunite is termed as: a) Autogamy

What is the quaternary structure of a protein, What is the quaternary struc...

What is the quaternary structure of a protein? Do all proteins have quaternary structure? The quaternary protein structure is the spatial conformation because of interactions b

Transport of oxaloacetate, Pyruvate   carboxylase   is a mitochondrial   ma...

Pyruvate   carboxylase   is a mitochondrial   matrix enzyme whereas the other enzymes of gluconeogenesis are situated outside the mitochondrion. Thus oxaloacetate are produced by p

Determine the functions of vitamin c, Determine the Functions of Vitamin C?...

Determine the Functions of Vitamin C? The vitamin C is involved in several physiological and biochemical functions in the body. Ascorbate is the biochemically active form of t

Explain microtube and hedstorm file removal technique, Explain Microtube an...

Explain Microtube and Hedstorm file removal technique A Hedstorm file was then passed down the length of the tube until it engaged itself tightly between the obstruction an

Monounsaturated fatty acids required for dyslipidemia, Q. Monounsaturated f...

Q. Monounsaturated fatty acids required for dyslipidemia? Polyunsaturated fatty acids also have a cholesterol decreasing effect. Omega 3 fatty acids are excellent for the heart

What is the ph inside the stomach, Q. What is the pH inside the stomach? Wh...

Q. What is the pH inside the stomach? Why is there a need to keep that pH level? How is it maintained? Which are the cells that produce that pH? The normal pH of the gastric ju

Heart failure, It is a clinical syndrome wherein heart fails to pump blood ...

It is a clinical syndrome wherein heart fails to pump blood at a rate required by the tissues of the body or it can do so only with an elevated filling pressure. This may be due to

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