adaptations

Question 1

define adaptations

Answer 1

are features that allow an organism to survive in its environment

Question 2

define structural adaptations

Answer 2

refers to the shape, size or arrangement of body features

Question 3

what are some examples of structural adaptations

Answer 3

e.g. a ducks webbed feet to swim fast to get food or away from predator, feather has air in them and allow them to float
e.g. crocodiles colour being the same as their habitat to hide and having their eyes at the top of their head

Question 4

define physiological adaptations

Answer 4

processes (chemical reactions) carried out by organs or structures

Question 5

what are examples of physiological adaptations

Answer 5

e.g. crocodiles being able to hold their breath for 4 hours

Question 6

define behavioural adaptations

Answer 6

actions taken by the organism

Question 7

what are examples of behavioural adaptations

Answer 7

e.g. crocodiles choosing to hold their breath

Question 8

what is evolution

Answer 8

the gradual change in organisms over time, in particular it is the change of genetic composition of populations overtime

Question 9

how can evolutions be observed

Answer 9

can be observed as changes in alleles frequency (gene variants) and phenotypes (physical traits) in population

Question 10

what is darwin’s theory of evolution

Answer 10

natural selection- the process by which organisms less adapted to the environment tend to die and the better one survives (survival of the fittest) and reproduce

Question 11

what are the natural selection steps

Answer 11

1. in a population there is variation
2. selective pressure - change in environment
3. those that are well adapted to their particular environment survive and reproduce
4. their favourable variations (traits) are passed onto their offspring becoming more common in the population

Question 12

what is an example of dawin’s theory of evolution (whats the selective pressure and the result of it)

Answer 12

selective pressure= coal burning phase of industrial revolution changed tree trunks from a light colour (they had light patterned lichens on them) to a black soot colour
results= more light spotted moths pre industrial revolution because they blended in with the light trees (suited to environment so survived and reproduced) post industrial revolution meant that more dark coloured were around
therefore environmental changes lead to changes in dominant species (favourable variation become dominant)