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

How formation of gametes begin in women, In which period of life does the f...

In which period of life does the formation of gametes begin in women? The meiosis that forms female gametes begins in the cells of the ovarian follicles before birth. After the

Digestion and feeding mechanism, state 5 notification and feeding habits in...

state 5 notification and feeding habits in some animals

Define fluconazole, Define Fluconazole It is a weaker inhibitor of CYP...

Define Fluconazole It is a weaker inhibitor of CYP3A4 than itraconazole or ketoconazole but may still increase serum concentrations of drugs metabolized by 3A4, like cyclospor

Define the symptoms in bone marrow of pernicious anaemia, Define the sympto...

Define the symptoms in Bone marrow of pernicious anaemia? The nucleated red cells of the marrow are greatly increased.  The successive nucleated cell stages in erythropoiesis a

How vitamin e is directly related to vitamins a, How vitamin e is directly ...

How vitamin e is directly related to Vitamins A, D and K? A high intake of vitamin E interferes with the functions of other fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K absorpt

Carbohydrates, CARBOHYDR A TES Carbohydrate = hydrate of carbo...

CARBOHYDR A TES Carbohydrate = hydrate of carbon. Hydroxyl group present. Aldehyde group or keto group may present. Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes

Define blood pressure, Blood Pressure Blood pressure may be defined as ...

Blood Pressure Blood pressure may be defined as the force or pressure which the blood exerts on the walls of the artery. Blood pressure varies with the age of the individual. B

Biology in dispelling myths and misbeliefs, BIOLOGY IN DISPELLING MYTHS AND...

BIOLOGY IN DISPELLING MYTHS AND MISBELIEFS - Varieties of myths still exist in our society, and can be removed by the knowledge of Biology. Some of these are- 1.       Snake

Explain subphylum urochordata, Subphylum Urochordata : (13,000 species, se...

Subphylum Urochordata : (13,000 species, sea squirts) Notocord is dorally situated, nerve tube dorsally situated and is hollow, chordate characteristics seen mainly in bilatera

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