adaptations

what are adpatations

• characteristics that increase an organisms chance of survival and reproduction in tis environment

• can be divided into 3 groups

what are the 3 groups of adaptations

1. anatomical adaptations (physical features can be internal and external)

2. behavioural adaptations (way they act can be inherited or learnt from parents)

3. physiological adaptations (processes that take place in organism)

anatomical adaptations examples

1. body coverings- hair, scales, spines, feathers and shells eg help flying

2. camouflage- outer colour allows it to blend into environment

3. teeth- shape and type are related to an animals diet

anatomical adaptation real life example

marram grass:

• adaptations to reduce water loss and transpiration:

• curled or rolled leaves

• hairs on inside surface layer of leaves

• stomata sunken in pits

• thick waxy cuticle

behavioural adaptations examples

1. survival behaviours (play dead)

2. courtship (dancing to attract mate)

3. seasonal behaviours ( migration, hibernation)

2 categories of behavioural adapatations

1. innate- ability to do something due to genes eg spiders weaving webs

2. learned behaviour - learnt from experience or observing eg use of tools to open food in otters

physiological adaptations examples

1. poison production

2. antibiotic production- bacteria kill others in the area

3. water holding - eg the frog which allows it to survive for a year

analogous structures

• structures that have adapted to perform the same function but have different genetic origin

• eg tail fins of fish and whales

convergent evolution

• occurs when unrelated species begin to share similar traits

why does convergent evolution occur

• the organisms adapt to similar environments or other selection pressures

• the organisms will live in similar ways to each other