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Adaptations
What is an adaptation?
• An adaptation is any structure, process, or
behavior that helps an organism survive in its
environment.
• In an ever changing environment, adaptations
determine which individuals are more likely to
survive and reproduce.
Why are adaptations Important?
• They help organisms to get food! They help
organisms eat.
– Beak shape in birds depending on what they eat
– Giraffes have a long neck to reach treetops
– Some trees have broad, thin leaves to help absorb
light energy
Why are adaptations important?
• To help organisms escape from predators
– Protective skin-porcupines have quills, turtles
have shells
– Bad smell-skunks
– Thorns-roses
– Camouflage-tsome frogs, moths, etc. have colors
that blend in with their surroundings
• Some predators use camouflage too! It helps them
blend in so they can catch prey!
Why are adaptations Important?
• It helps organisms to attract mates
– Big, elaborate feathers, like peacocks
– Elaborate antlers or horns like Elk
– Plants use color and smell to help attract
pollinators
Why are adaptations Important?
• Help organisms deal with weather changes
– Some animals in Ohio hibernate in the winter
– Birds Migrate
– Some trees lose their leaves in the winter
3 Types of Adaptations
• Anatomical or Physical
• Behavioral
• Physiological or process
Physical Adaptations
• Adaptations that are related to parts of the
body.
• Physical Features
– Turtle shells
– Thorns on Flowers
Behavioral Adaptations
• Things organisms (plants and animals) DO to
survive or reproduce
– Mating dances done by some animals
Physiological Adaptations
• An organisms automatic response to a specific
change in its habitat or environment in order
to maintain homeostasis (balance)
– Snakes produce venom
– Octopus sprays ink when threatened
Common Adaptations
• Camouflage:
– An adaptation that allows an organism to blend in
with its surrounding
Common Adaptations
• Mimicry
– An adaptation that happens when 1 organism
looks like another species.
• Sometimes a harmless species looks like a dangerous
one
• Sometimes 2 dangerous species look alike
• Predators can’t tell them apart, so they don’t go after
either one!