Adaptations

Adaptations These are inherited characteristics which allow the organism to survive and reproduce in a certain habitat. Organisms are generally a combination of many adaptations that allow them to fit into their environment easily. There are 4 types of adaptations.

Structural Adaptations Also known as Morphological adaptations. These are to do with: the shape of the body or teeth The colour of the organism Appendages Body Covering etc

Polar Bears Polar bears have adapted to survive in the Artic, for example, they have short ears and a short tail to reduce heat loss.  They have black skin to absorb the maximum heat from the sun. The bear's large feet are like snowshoes. The hair on the soles of their feet help the bear walk on the slippery ice and snow.

Polar Bears

Giraffes The giraffe is the tallest living mammal. Their height can reach from 15-19feet. With a shoulder to head length averaging 13 inches.   They can weigh anywhere from 1,100-3,000 pounds. Their long neck that enables it to reach the fruits at the top of the tree where no other organism is able to reach.

Giraffes It also helps them see predators and it to have visual communication with other giraffe over several miles. They have long tongues that measure from 18-21 inches long.

E.g. Penguins Structural Adaptations They are white on the front and black on the back. In water, the only place they are really at risk from predators, this gives them camouflage. From below they are white and cannot be easily seen against the lighter surface of the sea. From above they blend in with the darker depths. Penguin feathers are extremely densely packed, with no gaps between them. This gives them good protection against the cold. Each feather has an extra part behind it, so that they can fluff their feathers up. This keeps them warm in the cold and allows them to cool off when the weather is warmer.

E.g. Penguins Structural Adaptations They don’t have all the extra airspaces in their bones that normal birds have. This helps them sink in the water. They have a layer of blubber (fat) beneath their skin. This helps them keep warm. They can control the flow of blood through the fat. When it is very cold almost no blood passes through the fat. When they are warm, the blood flow increases so they can cool off. The “hand” bones are fused (stuck) together. This is because water is thicker than air, and in water the flexible arrangement of flying birds would not make the wings strong enough to pull them through water.

E.g. Penguins Structural Adaptations Emperor and King Penguins have a special flap of skin on their feet. They do not build nests from twigs and leaves. They only lay one egg, and keep it on their feet, under the flap of skin so it can’t roll off. The feathers come down over the feet, keeping the egg warm.

Behavioural Adaptations These are things like: Defence behaviour Nocturnal or diurnal Hiding Spitting and hissing Stinging etc

E.g. Penguins Behavioural Adaptations Penguins live in large communities. This helps keep them warm. They make their nests side by side and after the chicks are born they all huddle together to stay warm. Living close together in large communities also protects them from the few predators, who might like to make a meal of them. Any walrus or sea lion happening upon them will only be able to grab one penguin from the edge of the group. Penguins pick up stones and store them in their crop. This makes them heavier when they are in water.

Physiological Adaptations This is anything to do with the metabolism of the organism, or its ability to tolerate extreme temperatures or more saline water. The production of venoms or slime secretion. Also includes the secretion of enzymes for digestion etc.

Examples of Physiological Adaptations Some plants die back to survive the winter and have specially protected structures such as tight buds on a twig or a bulb underground. These structures may store food so that growth can start rapidly in spring. A carrot, for example, stores sugars for this reason. Some animals, such as swallows, may migrate, while other animals, such as the dormouse, may hibernate, allowing the body temperature and heart rate to drop in the winter.

Life History The reproductive strategies of many organisms have survival value. E.g. in insects such as mosquitoes, the adults and larvae live in different habitats and eat different foods, thus avoid competition.