Adaptation and natural selection 1

Question 1

what is an adaptation?

Answer 1

• a characteristic that enhances survival or reproduction of organisms
• it is a relationship between structure and function and an organisms environment

Question 2

what are the two types of adaptation?

Answer 2

1. structural adaptation
2. behavioural adaptation

Question 3

what are structural adaptations?

Answer 3

a physical trait that helps an organism to survive (sharp teeth of lions)

Question 4

what are behavioural adaptations?

Answer 4

• a behavioural trait that helps an organism to survive

Question 5

how do adaptations develop?

Answer 5

• result of gradual change of characteristics over time
• a variation that helps an individual is more likely to passed from survivor to survivor

Question 6

what is the net result of selection over time?

Answer 6

organisms become better adapted to their environment

Question 7

adaptations are limited by:

Answer 7

• mutations and gene flow (both random)
• constantly changing environments
• historical evolutionary constraints (what evolutionary adaptations happened in the past constrains future adaptations)