A camel is a mammal that lives in hot desert environments where water is scarce and temperatures are extreme. Describe four adaptive features of a camel that increase its chance of survival in this environment.

Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 18.2 Adaptive features · Describe · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

1. Large, fat‑storing hump that supplies energy and water when food is scarce.
2. Thick, woolly coat and long eyelashes that reduce water loss and protect against sun and sand.
3. Ability to drink large volumes of water in one go and to tolerate a rise in body temperature, reducing the need for evaporative cooling.
4. Long, padded feet and a narrow body shape that minimise heat absorption and allow movement across loose sand without sinking.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact wording from the mark scheme (e.g., ‘water storage’, ‘tolerating high body temperature’).
  • Give one clear example for each feature, not a list of many.
  • Keep each point to one sentence to fit the 4‑mark limit.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up the hump’s function (energy only) and forgetting its water‑storage role.
  • Describing the coat as ‘cooling’ rather than ‘reducing water loss’.
  • Adding extra features that are not required for the 4 marks.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Feature related to water storage or reducing water loss
  2. Feature related to tolerating high body temperature or heat
  3. Feature related to obtaining or retaining water through diet or behaviour
  4. Feature related to surviving in sandy or harsh desert terrain

Key terms in this question

adaptive feature

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