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Adaptation and Survival Do you think a polar bear could survive in a desert? • No. • Polar bears have fur coats and swim in water, but deserts are dry. Do you think a rain-forest plant could survive in the same environment as a cactus? Why? • No • Rain-forest plants need a lot of water to grow and it is very dry where a cactus lives. What makes each of these organisms (polar bear and rain-forest plant) suited to its environment? • Traits, or characteristics, that help them survive. Adaptations • An adaptation is any characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment. • Types: – Structural adaptations – Behavioral adaptations Structural Adaptations • Structural adaptations are adjustments to internal or external physical structures. • Examples are fur color, long limbs, strong jaws, and the ability to run fast. These can help organisms survive in certain environments. Structural Adaptations • The webbed feet of a duck helps it survive in water. • This type of adaptation can protect organisms or enable them to hunt. • Turtles have a shell for protection. • Sharks have an excellent sense of smell and sharp teeth to help them catch food. Behavioral Adaptations • Behavioral adaptations are adjustments in an organism’s behavior. • Examples: Wolves travel in packs to help them be able to hunt and capture large animals. • Migration helps animals survive seasonal changes. • Hibernation helps animals escape the cold. The animals remain inactive until the weather becomes warm. Why are adaptations important to organisms? • They help organisms survive their environments. • How do organisms get adaptations? • They inherit adaptations from their parent or parents when they reproduce. How are structural adaptations and behavioral adaptations different? • Structural adaptations have to do with the organism’s structure and behavioral adaptations are how the animal acts or behaves. Adaptations of Cacti • Spines (needles) to protect them from planteating animals. • Thick stems to store water • Large flowers to attract pollinators Behavioral Adaptations of Elephants • • • • Form herds to protect their young Rest during the hottest part of the day Spray water on their backs to cool off Teach their young what to eat Plant Adaptations • Some plants have scented flowers to attract pollinators. • Leaves to catch sunlight • Roots to soak up water • Some plants have waxy stems to prevent water loss such as a cacti. • Tiny pores on their leaves called stomata that allow gases to enter and leave. More Plant Adaptations • Orchids, plants in the rain-forest, have adaptations to help them survive wet, hot temperatures. • Orchid stems have storage organs called pseudobulbs that store water for the plant. • The roots help secure it high in a tree and absorb water from the air. • Drip-tip leaves help drain excess water. More Plant Adaptations • Some plant adaptations protect them from animals that want to eat them. • Some plants produce chemicals that give them a bad taste. • Some produce chemicals that are poisonous. Animal Adaptations • Adaptations can help animals survive in certain environments. • Mammals living in cold climates have thick fur and extra body fat to keep them warm. • Desert animals are nocturnal- they remain inactive during the hottest time of the day and become active during the night. • Aquatic animals can move very fast underwater. Some can hold their breath for a long period of time or breath with gills. More Animal Adaptations • Skunks use chemicals to help being caught. • Owls have adaptations that make them good hunters. • Running fast helps animals avoid getting eaten like a gazelle. Camouflage • Camouflage is any coloring, shape, or pattern that allows an organism to blend in with its environment. • Camouflage allows animals to sneak up on organisms that they are hunting or it helps organisms hide from predators. Camouflage Protective coloration • A type of camouflage in which the color of an animal helps it blend in with its background. • An arctic fox has a unique coat. During the winter it has a white coat that allows it to blend in with the snow. The coat changes color in the summer to blend in with plants and surroundings. • Stripes on a tiger allows it to blend in with the grass and helps it hide from organisms it hunts. Protective Resemblance • This is matching the color, shape, and texture of an environment. • A walking stick looks like a branch. • A pipefish looks similar to sea grass. Why do you think an owl has one ear higher than the other? • It helps them distinguish where a sound comes from and how far away the sound is. How is an owl able to fly silently? • Special tips on the wing feathers muffle the sound of air rushing over the owl’s wings. Mimicry • Mimicry is an adaptation in which an animal resembles an unpleasant animal. • A viceroy butterfly looks like a poisonous monarch butterfly and this helps keep it from getting eaten.