7.1 Adaptation and Variation

Definitions Species: a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species diversity: the variety and abundance of species in a given area

Genetic Diversity Genetic diversity: the variety of heritable characteristics in a population of interbreeding individuals Population: a group of individuals of the same species in an area.

Challenges to survival

Why is diversity within a species important?

What kind of variations exist within a species?

Adaptation A structure, behaviors or physiological process that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment Q : What kid of adaptations does a polar bear have?

Structural Adaptations Any physical feature that helps the organism survive. Ex ….. The stick insect uses ________ as an adaptation

Mimicry Mimicry: A structural adaptation in which a harmless species resembles a harmful species Example: viceroy butterfly mimics the harmful monarch.

Batesian vs. Mullerian mimicry Batesian mimicry: unharmful species mimics a harmful one Mullerian mimicry: 2 harmful species mimic eachother

Behavioral Adaptations Something that an organism does, an action, that helps them survive Example:

Physiological Adaptations A body function that helps an organism survive venom Tolerance to environmental conditions (salt temperature, chemicals) Hibernation

How do adaptations develop? Variation exists naturally, due to random genetic mutations in DNA and development Not all variations become adaptations Environmental conditions determine whether a variation in an individual will have a positive or negative or neutral effect Individuals with a helpful variation are more likely to survive and that variation will become more frequent in the population.

Adaptations in Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEDxThDINgQ