Biomes having permanently frozen subsoil and little vegetation; located near the poles.

• A. Polar Biome
• B. Tundra
• C. Desert
• D. Temperate Forest

Answer: (A)

Permanently frozen subsoil and sparse vegetation point to an environment at very high latitudes where conditions stay extremely cold. This is the polar biome, the icy region around the poles defined by permafrost and low productivity. Because the ground remains frozen year-round, plant roots struggle and growing seasons are brief, so only a few hardy organisms can thrive. Deserts are dry and lack moisture, with a very different climate; temperate forests have richer vegetation and longer, warmer growing seasons. Tundra shares the cold, treeless, low-vegetation vibe but is a more specific high-latitude zone within those polar areas, while the broader term polar biome captures the overall extreme polar environment.