Adaptations - Elgin Academy, · PDF file3 of 21 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Success Criteria I...

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Adaptations


Learning Intentions

• I will have a clearer understanding of the way in which animals and plants are adapted to their environments in order to survive

• I can consider the effects that changing climate is having on their pattern of distribution on this planet.

• I will be able to give some examples of adaptations of animals and plants


Success Criteria

I have answered questions on adaptations of animals and

plants using a power point for information

I have used this information to construct a summary of

adaptations of 2 or 3 animals and plants

I have researched the effects that changing climate due to

human activity is having on the distribution of animals and

plants

I have written a discursive essay illustrating the effects

that changing climate is having on the distribution of

animals and plants.


Adaptation

KS4 Biology


Adaptation

Contents

What is an adaptation?

Adaptations for a cold climate

Other adaptations

Adaptation activities

Adaptations for a dry climate


Different types of habitat

In general, there are three major habitat types in the world.

land habitats

marine habitats

freshwater habitats

How do organisms survive in such different habitats?



A habitat is only populated by organisms that are

adapted to survive there.

Adaptations are special features or behaviours that

make an organism particularly suited to its environment.

Adaptations are a part of the evolutionary process.

Why is it important that living things are adapted to their

environment?

Adaptations increase an organism’s chance of survival

and so increase its chance of reproducing.

Why is reproduction so important for all living species?


Matching organisms to their habitat


Adaptation

Contents



Other adaptations




How are polar bears adapted to life in an extremely cold

climate?

White fur acts as

camouflage.

Large feet spread the

body’s weight. The wide

paws act as good paddles

How are polar bears adapted?

Thick fur and a thick

layer of body fat insulate

from the cold.

Small ears help to reduce

heat loss.

and snow shoes.


Other adaptations that polar bears have evolved to cope

with conditions in the harsh polar environment are:

How are polar bears adapted?

Skin is actually black

to absorb any heat

transmitted through

the hairs.

Greasy fur repels water

and keeps the bear dry.

Eyes have brown irises

to reduce the glare from

sunlight reflection.

Body surface area is

small compared to volume

to reduce heat loss.


Adaptation

Contents



Other adaptations




Curious camel facts

…camels have three

stomachs.

...some camels live to

over 40 years old.

…some Bactrian camels

can transport 450 kg.

…archaeological finds

show that they originated

in North America.

…Somalia is home to

over 6 million camels!

Camels are amazing creatures! Did you know that…


Wide feet for spreading

How is a camel adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate?

Fat is stored in the hump.

There is no other body fat

to prevent overheating.

How is a camel adapted?

Brown coat for camouflage.

Long, thin legs mean the

body surface area is large

compared to volume

to increase heat loss.

Loses little water through

sweating or urine.

shifting sand.

body weight over soft


Nostrils can close

when needed to

protect the camel

in sandstorms.

How is a camel adapted?

Long eyelashes

protect the eyes

from sand and

dust.

A very varied diet,

ranging from grass

and bark to thorns

and bones, is eaten.

Ears are lined with

fur to prevent sand

and dust from

getting in.

Other adaptations that camels have evolved to cope

with conditions in the harsh desert environment are:


Leaves are narrow spines

that reduce water loss and

protect from predators.

Stores water in fleshy stem.

How is a cactus adapted?

Thick, waxy surface

to reduce water loss.

How is a cactus adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate?

Plant surface area is

small compared to volume


Some have shallow,

spreading roots for

surface water, others

have deep roots.


A very varied diet

ranging from grass

and bark to thorns

and bones.

Nostrils can closed

when needed to

protect the camel

in sandstorms.

How is a kangaroo rat adapted?

Long tail for balance

when hopping.

Brown fur for camouflage

and only goes out at night

when it is much cooler.

A kangaroo rat is a mammal that lives in dry desert habitats.

How is this small animal adapted to this harsh environment?

Large back feet to escape

from predators allow it

to hop 2 metres at a time!

Most water comes from

its diet of seeds.

Does not sweat, or pant,



Adaptation

Contents



Other adaptations




How is this barracuda adapted to an aquatic environment?

Aquatic adaptations

Streamlined shape

to reduce friction

when moving

through water.

Gills have a large

surface area so that

oxygen can be

extracted from the

surrounding water.

Silver colouring

allows the fish

to be camouflaged.


Unusual plant adaptations

Plants can live in acid or waterlogged soils where there is

little nitrate. Some plants have evolved a rather cunning

adaptation to obtain the nutrients they need.

Hairs on the slippery inside

of the plant are angled down

to ensure that the victim

cannot escape!

Pitcher plants have a large

hollow filled with fluid that

traps insects or other small

organisms that may fall in.

The plant digests its victims

to absorb the nitrates it needs!


Adaptation

Contents



Other adaptations




True or false?


Matching adaptations


Multiple-choice quiz

Adaptations - Elgin Academy, · PDF file3 of 21 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Success Criteria I...

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