Download Biological Adaptations

Biological
Adaptations
In this presentation you will:
 investigate how internal structures of organisms
have adaptations that allow specific functions Next >
Introduction
The environment is always changing.
Organisms must be able to adapt (change) if they
are to survive and successfully reproduce in the new
environmental conditions.
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Skeleton
To allow some organisms to survive better in
their environment, their internal structures
have become adapted.
For example, some
birds have adapted
to have hollow or
porous bones.
This makes their
skeleton lighter,
and makes it easier
for them to fly.
Hollow
bird
bone
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Skeleton
Some hummingbirds
have adapted to have
an extra pair of ribs.
Regular Bird
Hummingbird
These support the
muscle bulk required
for their style of flight.
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Breathing
Fish must extract oxygen from
water in order to survive.
They have developed
gills to allow them to
‘breathe’ underwater.
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Water is taken into the mouth and passed over the
gills, which exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide.
The water is then fed out of the slits.
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Feeding
Plants use photosynthesis to produce the food they
need to survive, but animals cannot do this.
Animals need to eat plants or
other animals to get enough
nutrients to survive.
Their internal
structure has
adapted to allow
for this process.
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Feeding
1
1
3
4
2
Cattle have adapted to have four stomach sections
that process vegetation (grass) very efficiently.
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Feeding
Crocodiles, on the other hand, have adapted and
have stomachs containing very strong acid.
The acid can
dissolve the
bones of the
animals they
swallow!
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Reproduction
For the continuation of a
species, animals and
plants need to reproduce.
Female hummingbirds have
adapted to only have one ovary
at maturity.
This still allows
reproduction, but it
saves weight, which
helps them fly!
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Plants
It is not just animals that have adapted internal
structures for specific functions. Plants have too.
Consider the
structure that most
plants use to
transport water
and nutrients
from the roots to
the leaves.
xylem
Cross section of plant stem
This structure is
called xylem.
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Plants
Many submerged plants have adapted so they do not
use xylem.
This is because their
leaves absorb the
nutrients they need
from the surrounding
water.
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Plants
The saguaro cactus has adapted to its hot and dry
environment, to have a spongy inside layer.
This helps
distribute water
around the plant.
spongy layer
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Question 1
'Adaptation is essential for a species to survive in a
changing environment'
Is this statement true or false?
Answer True or False.
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Question 1
'Adaptation is essential for a species to survive in a
changing environment'
Is this statement true or false?
Answer True or False.
True
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Question 2
Which of the following is NOT an internal
structural adaptation of an organism?
A) Hummingbird oversized breast bone – supporting
large wing muscles
B) Elongated organs in snakes – fits body shape
C) Antifreeze glycoprotein in the blood of Antarctic
tooth fish – stops freezing
D) Skin used as wings by bats – allows them to fly
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Question 2
Which of the following is NOT an internal
structural adaptation of an organism?
A) Hummingbird oversized breast bone – supporting
large wing muscles
B) Elongated organs in snakes – fits body shape
C) Antifreeze glycoprotein in the blood of Antarctic
tooth fish – stops freezing
D) Skin used as wings by bats – allows them to fly
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Summary
In this presentation you have seen:
 how internal structures of organisms have
adaptations that allow specific functions
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