How do animals adapt their physiology to extreme environments?

Animals adapt their physiology to extreme environments primarily through the development of specialized structures and behaviors. This adaptability is essential for survival in conditions that may challenge their basic physiological functions. For instance, animals in arid environments, such as camels, develop specialized kidneys that conserve water efficiently. In cold environments, they may evolve thicker fur or blubber to insulate against low temperatures.

Furthermore, behaviors can also play a crucial role in physiological adaptation. For example, animals may alter their activity patterns, becoming nocturnal to escape the heat of the day or burrowing into the ground to avoid chill. These structural and behavioral adaptations are critical, as they provide the necessary mechanisms for the animals to thrive despite the harsh environmental conditions.

In contrast, while migrating to milder climates or becoming dormant are strategies some animals use to cope with extreme conditions, they do not involve physiological adaptations that modify the animal's bodily systems. Complete metabolic pathway changes, although possible, are less common in response to environmental stressors compared to the development of specific adaptations that enable immediate survival and reproduction in the original habitat.