What is the purpose 0.in-addr.arpa and 255.in-addr.arpa in bind's default configuration?

This from here (an MS page, but still relevant):

Reverse lookup zones enable the DNS server to be authoritative, that is, to know the answer in advance and to respond immediately to the most common name queries, eliminating unnecessary recursive queries. In accordance with pertinent Requests for Comments (RFCs), by default, the DNS server is authoritative for three reverse lookup zones:

0.in-addr.arpa (0.0.0.0)

127.in-addr.arpa (127.0.0.1 - loopback)

255.in-addr.arpa (255. 255. 255. 255 - broadcast)

In other words; the DNS server will not query an Internet based DNS server for those addresses (as they are all local addresses).