IQ2 - Module 3: Biological Diversity Flashcards
what is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a characteristic that an organism has inherited and that makes it suited to its environment.
It is the result of a change or variation that arises at random when cells divide and replicate.
This may benefit the organism by making them more suited to the environment they live in, thus increasing their chances of survival.
what is a structural adaptation?
the physical structure or anatomy of the organism – how an organism is built
what is a animal example in structural adaptations?
▪ body covering – fur, feathers, scales
▪ size of ears
▪ webbed feet or flippers
▪ claws
Plant Examples:
▪ thick, waxy cuticle
▪ leaf shape and orientation
▪ fewer stomata
▪ extensive root system
what is a behavioural adaptation?
▪ the actions performed by an organism in response to a stimulus - how the organism behaves (moves around and acts)
what is a behavioural adaptation?
▪ the actions performed by an organism in response to a stimulus - how the organism behaves (moves around and acts)
what is the animal example of behavioural adaptations?
▪ migration
▪ huddling
▪ evaporative cooling
▪ seeking / leaving shade or shelter
Plant Examples: ▪ tropisms
what is a physiological adaptation?
▪ the internal functioning of the organism – how an organism functions
▪ it is a specific way an organisms metabolism or other bodily processes work
what are physiological adaptations examples in animals and plants?
▪ producing dilute or concentrated urine
▪ producing venom
▪ producing antifreeze proteins
▪ deep diving
▪ hibernation
Plant Examples:
▪ producing antifreeze proteins
▪ regulating salinity
▪ dormancy
who is charles darwin?
Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who proposed the principles of evolution by natural selection.
what was the voyage of the HMS Beagle
Charles Darwin travelled the world from 1831-1836 abroad the navy ship HMS Beagle.
He made numerous biological and geographical observations by keeping accurate records and collecting numerous specimens.
what was the galápagos islands?
▪ An archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador
▪ The islands are home to a large number of species including seals, tortoises and marine iguanas
▪ Darwin particularly observed the Galapagos finches with regards to the variation in size of their beaks
▪ On arrival back in England, he presented the finch specimens to John Gould (an ornithologist) who commented that they were similar to those found in South America
what are galapagos finches?
▪ Darwin reasoned that a few South America finches flew to one of the islands of the Galapagos
▪ These finches had naturally occurring variations
▪ The descendants of these finches gradually populated the other islands, each of which had different environmental conditions (selection pressures)
▪ Some finches were able to adapt allowing them to thrive and reproduce, while others died out
▪ This was significant for Darwin as it led him to realise that species on separate islands had split from a common ancestor
what did darwin observe about australian flora and fauna
▪ Darwin’s observations of birds, marsupials and monotreme mammals in Australia revealed similarities with European birds and mammals
− magpies and crows are similar to jackdaws
− platypus is similar to water rats
▪ This led him to the idea that organisms could evolve to become similar if organisms live in similar environments
▪ Darwin’s observations of plant life, particularly eucalypts, allowed him to link their adaptions to the harsh environment
what is darwin’s theory?
Using his observations, Darwin proposed a theory with 5 main tenets (principles):
1. Variation exists within populations
2. More offspring are produced than can survive
3. Those offspring that are better adapted to their environment will survive and reproduce
4. The favourable adaptations are passed on to the next generation
5. Over time, the favourable adaptations will increase in the population (as long as the environment does not change)
