Adaptations

Outcomes:

Students can describe the characteristics of an organism that link to its survival in its natural habitat.
Students can explain how the features of some Australian plants and animals are adaptations for survival and reproduction in their environment.

Every organism has certain features or characteristics that allow it to live successfully in its habitat. These features are called adaptations, and we say that the organism is adapted to its habitat. Organisms living in different habitats need different adaptations.

There are 3 main types of adaptations:

1. Physical - structural features that assist survival

2. Behavioral - what an animal does - how it acts - usually in response to some type of external stimulus.

3. Physiological - include a biological process. Physiological adaptations include the ability to make venom; but also more general functions such as temperature regulation.

The polar bear

Polar bears are well adapted for survival in the Arctic. They have:

a white appearance, as camouflage from prey on the snow and ice
thick layers of fat and fur, for insulation against the cold
a small surface area to volume ratio, to minimise heat loss
a greasy coat, which sheds water after swimming.

Arctic plants

The Arctic is cold and windy with very little rainfall. Plants in the Arctic often grow very close to the ground and have small leaves. This helps to conserve water and to avoid damage by the wind.

Extreme Environments

Some organisms are adapted to extreme environments: for example, deep sea hydrothermal vents.

The Pompeii worm is adapted to the high temperatures and pressures of the hydrothermal vents by:

using a thick layer of bacteria to protect it from heat
hiding inside a papery tube to protect it from predators.

Questions:

Explain what an adaptation is.
Why do organisms require adaptations?
List each of the three types of adaptations, define the adaptation and give examples of organisms with the adaptation.
How do adaptations develop (or rather, evolve?)
What are 'factors' in the environment? Write 3-4 sentences.
Describe for examples of adaptations. (name of animal, environmental factor, description of adaptations to the environmental factor.
Explain why only particular organisms are found in particular ecosystems?

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