Biology - Adaptations and Evolution

Structural adaptation

Physical appearance that aids survival/reproduction

Physiological adaptation

Bodily chemistry, metabolism, and “inside” features that aid survival/reproduction

Behavioural adaptations

Actions and behaviours that aid survival/reproduction

Structural adaptation example

Scales, fangs, and fur

Physiological adaptations example

Venom production, koala’s digestive system, and a camel’s hump

Behavioural adaptation example

Migration, hibernation, and communication

Natural selection mnemonic

VAST SAINE

1st step of natural selection

Phenotypic VARIATION exists in a population

2nd step of natural selection

Environmental selection pressure causes a STRUGGLE for survival

3rd step of natural selection

Specific phenotypes has a SELECTIVE ADVANTAGE

4th step of natural selection

Advantageous phenotypes are INHERITED

5th step of natural selection

Overtime, the population becomes better suited for the environment; the species EVOLVES

Main things plants have to adapt to

Fire, gaseous exchange, predators, sunlight, temperature, water availability, and general weather exposure

Adaptations to fire

Deep roots, seeds held low to the ground, and thick bark

Adaptations to gaseous exchange

Flat, thin cell walls, and stomata

Adaptations to predators

Poison, deep roots, spikes, and thick leaves

Adaptations to sunlight

Growing tall, growing on top of other plants, large leaves, and more chlorophyll

Adaptations to temperature

Dish-like structure, close to the ground, grows in clumps, shiny leaves, smaller leaves, and dangling leaves

Adaptations to water availability

Leaves roll inwards, store water in leaves and stem, deep roots, and hair on leaves

Adaptations to general weather exposure

Thin leaves, shiny leaves, sheds leaves in the winter, flexible stems, flexible grass, and thick bark

Classifications of humans mnemonics

Keep Playing Cool Or Feel Gross, All Cattle May Please His Highness

Human kingdom

Animalia

Human phylum

Chordata

Human class

Mammalia

Human order

Primates

Human family

Hominidae

Human genus

Homo

Key characteristics of Animalia

Eukaryotes without cell walls

Key characteristics of Chordata

Backbones

Key characteristics of Mammalia

Females produce milk, and organisms have hair or fur

Key characteristics of Primates

Forward facing eyes, opposable thumbs, prehensile hands, large brain, and nails instead of claws

Key characteristics of Hominidae

No tail, larger brains, flat face, and upright posture

Key characteristics of Homo

Bipedal, S-curved spines, and recognisable as humans