4.3.1 Classification and Evolution – Animal and Plant Adaptations Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a physical or behavioural characteristic that develops over time to allow an organism to better survive in its environment.
How can we deduce which species is better adapted to its environment?
A species that is better adapted to an environment will survive and reproduce better than other organisms in that same environment.
What does anatomical mean?
Structural features of the organism e.g. size of ears, length of the roots etc.
What does physiological mean?
How the organism functions e.g. the ability of some bacteria to respire anaerobically.
What does behavioural mean?
How the organism acts e.g. penguins huddle together to reduce heat loss.
Adaptations are classified into three categories, anatomical, physiological, and behavioural. The ability to see colour, and a low pH in the stomach are examples of what category of adaptation?
Physiological adaptation
The possession of wings on a bird, and flagella in bacteria are examples of what category of adaptation?
Anatomical adaptation
Squinting in bright light is an example of what category of adaptation?
Behavioural adaptation
Why do mammals have smaller ears in colder climates and what type of adaptation is this?
Anatomical - to reduce their surface area: volume ratio and reduce heat loss.
What anatomical adaptation do some xerophytes have to reduce water loss?
Have leaves which roll up and trap moist air, and also have stomata in sunken pits. Both factors reduce the diffusion gradient and hence decrease water loss.
The kangaroo rat has a highly adapted kidney, which allows it to retain water. It has longer loops of Henlé to reabsorb more water. What type of adaptation is this?
Physiological adaptation.
Why do sholes of fish stick together, and what type of adaptation is this?
To avoid being caught by their predators by making it harder to detect individual fish. This is a behavioural adaptation.
