Biology Study Guide - Animal and Plant adaptations
1. Introduction to Adaptation
1.1 Definition of adaptation
1.2 Purpose and causes of adaptation
2. Structural Adaptations
2.1 Animals
• Protective coloration: camouflage & aposematism
• Mimicry
• Body coverings: fur, shells, feathers
• Movement and feeding: wings, limbs, specialized appendages
2.2 Plants
• Camouflage & warning coloration
• Mimicry (e.g. orchid deception)
• Defensive structures: thorns, spines
• Leaf types and protective coverings
3. Behavioral Adaptations
3.1 Animals
• Hibernation
• Migration
3.2 Plants
• Dormancy
4. Functional Adaptations
4.1 Animals
• Echolocation
• Bioluminescence
4.2 Plants
• Sunlight optimization: leaf types, sun tracking
• Water conservation & Chemical defenses
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, 1. The structure of adaptations:
Definition:
Adaptation is the steady process by which an organism or an entire species adapts to new
environments or to changes in their current environment. This occurs by changing their own
characteristics and characteristics.
Reasons for adaptations:
An adaptation is any inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival. Adaptations
determine whether an organism is fit enough in its environment to be able to survive long enough
to reproduce. Thus adaptations are necessary to help an organism find food and water, protect itself,
or manage extreme environments.
How do adaptations take place:
Adaptations are the result of evolution, which is the change in a species over long periods of time.
They occur when a species is exposed to certain extreme conditions that force it to change and may
be due to variations in weather, climate change or resource availability. This has the effect that the
organism develops certain characteristics or behaviors that allow it to survive and reproduce in the
new environment. These changes may occur from natural selection. Accordingly, natural selection
occurs when certain characteristics that are useful to an organism in its environment are passed on
to future generations. This is because organisms with those characteristics are more likely to survive
and reproduce. Over time, these beneficial properties will be present throughout the population.
How are different adaptations related to population interactions:
Resource acquisition: Adaptations enable organisms to effectively acquire and use resources in their
environment. This influences competition between populations for limited resources such as food,
water and shelter. Organisms with specialized adaptations for resource acquisition can outcompete
others, leading to shifts in population density and community composition.
Survival strategies: Adaptations enhance the survival strategies of certain organisms in response to
environmental challenges such as predation, disease, or harsh climatic conditions. Organisms with
effective survival adaptations may have higher survival rates and are therefore able to maintain their
population.
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1. Introduction to Adaptation
1.1 Definition of adaptation
1.2 Purpose and causes of adaptation
2. Structural Adaptations
2.1 Animals
• Protective coloration: camouflage & aposematism
• Mimicry
• Body coverings: fur, shells, feathers
• Movement and feeding: wings, limbs, specialized appendages
2.2 Plants
• Camouflage & warning coloration
• Mimicry (e.g. orchid deception)
• Defensive structures: thorns, spines
• Leaf types and protective coverings
3. Behavioral Adaptations
3.1 Animals
• Hibernation
• Migration
3.2 Plants
• Dormancy
4. Functional Adaptations
4.1 Animals
• Echolocation
• Bioluminescence
4.2 Plants
• Sunlight optimization: leaf types, sun tracking
• Water conservation & Chemical defenses
1
, 1. The structure of adaptations:
Definition:
Adaptation is the steady process by which an organism or an entire species adapts to new
environments or to changes in their current environment. This occurs by changing their own
characteristics and characteristics.
Reasons for adaptations:
An adaptation is any inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival. Adaptations
determine whether an organism is fit enough in its environment to be able to survive long enough
to reproduce. Thus adaptations are necessary to help an organism find food and water, protect itself,
or manage extreme environments.
How do adaptations take place:
Adaptations are the result of evolution, which is the change in a species over long periods of time.
They occur when a species is exposed to certain extreme conditions that force it to change and may
be due to variations in weather, climate change or resource availability. This has the effect that the
organism develops certain characteristics or behaviors that allow it to survive and reproduce in the
new environment. These changes may occur from natural selection. Accordingly, natural selection
occurs when certain characteristics that are useful to an organism in its environment are passed on
to future generations. This is because organisms with those characteristics are more likely to survive
and reproduce. Over time, these beneficial properties will be present throughout the population.
How are different adaptations related to population interactions:
Resource acquisition: Adaptations enable organisms to effectively acquire and use resources in their
environment. This influences competition between populations for limited resources such as food,
water and shelter. Organisms with specialized adaptations for resource acquisition can outcompete
others, leading to shifts in population density and community composition.
Survival strategies: Adaptations enhance the survival strategies of certain organisms in response to
environmental challenges such as predation, disease, or harsh climatic conditions. Organisms with
effective survival adaptations may have higher survival rates and are therefore able to maintain their
population.
2
