AS 91155 (2.3): Demonstrate understanding of adaptations of plants and animals to their way of life

This internally assessed activity requires you to work individually to develop a portfolio of information which you can use to produce a written report OR slideshow on the adaptations relating to the digestive system in mammals, fish and molluscs - or three different animal groups of your choice. 

The portfolio should also include information on how  at least two adaptations per animal allow these animals to carry out digestion effectively and occupy the ecological niches that they do. 

Complete a written report comparing and contrasting adaptations relating to digestion within your chosen three animal groups to show how or why these adaptations allow each group to survive in their habitat.

Your report should:

Scientifically name the three animals and their taxonomic groups  you have studied and provide a brief description of their ecological niches e.g. physical habitat, as well as their relationships with other organisms.

Describe the structural, behavioural and/or physiological adaptations that enable each animal to carry out digestion. At least two per animal group.

Explain how or why these adaptations enable each animal group to successfully carry out digestion in order to survive in its habitat. You should provide examples to support your explanations. 

Discuss how these adaptations for digestion are connected in each animal. Your discussion should include examples linking several biological ideas to show how the adaptations:

enhance the effectiveness of digestion in each animal  

have limitations and advantages of named features or processes within each animal.

You may use annotated diagrams to support your answer.

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