Adaptations (g) Flashcards
What are adaptations?
Characteristics that increase an organism’s chance of survival and reproduction in its environment
What are anatomical adaptations?
Physical features - internal and external
Examples of anatomical adaptations
- body covering
- camouflage
- teeth
- mimicry
What are behavioural adaptations?
The way the organism acts: inherited or learnt
- innate/instinctive behaviour = inherited through genes
- learned behaviour = learnt from experience or observation
Usually a combination of both
Examples of behavioural adaptations
- survival behaviours, e.g. playing dead
- courtship, to attract a mate
- seasonal behaviours, e.g. migration or hibernation
What are physiological adaptations?
Processes that take place inside an organism
Examples of physiological adaptations
- poison production
- antibiotic production
- water holding
- reflexes
What are analogous structures?
Analogous structures are structures adapted to perform the same function but have a different origin.
What is convergent evolution?
Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species begin to share similar traits. Due to adaptations of organisms to specific environments or other selection pressures. Thus the organisms live in a similar way to each other.
Marsupial and placental moles: similarities
- the species resemble in overall shape, type of locomotion and feeding techniques
- due to the adaptation to similar climate and food supplies
- they both burrow through soft soil to find worms and grubs. have a streamlined body shape and modified forelimbs for digging. velvety fur = allows smooth movement through soil.
Origins of marsupial moles
- Australia
- start in the uterus, leave and enter the marsupium (pouch) while still embryos - completing development by suckling milk
- white to orange fur colours
Origin of placental moles
- America
- placenta connects embryo to mothers circulatory system in the uterus, nourishing the embryo, allowing a high level of maturity before birth.
- grey fur
