Organisms and Environment - instinct, adaptations, and behavior Flashcards
adaptation
a structure or behavior that helps an organism survive in its environment
Gills on fish are an adaptation that allow it to breathe under water. Spines on a cactus are an adaptation that allows very little water to transpire.
behavioral adaptation
a trait that an animal does to survive.
One behavioral adaptation of bears is hibernation. A behavioral adaptation of some birds is migration.
function
the work or job that a body part does.
The function of clawed feet on an eagle is to grab prey.
structure
The shape and system of body parts of an organism
Clawed feet on an eagle is a structure of its body.
migration
a seasonal movement of some animals from one place to another for survival
hibernation
a survival behavior in which animals go into a deep sleep for the winter.
Bears hibernate each winter. They eat enough to store body fat to survive during the sleep.
traits
a characteristic of an organism
Wings on birds, fins on fish, hooves on deer, migration, and hibernation are all traits.
learned behavior
a behavior that is taught or learned through experience.
Raccoons opening garbage cans to find food is a learned behavior. They have learned, through experience that they can find food in the can. A bird teaching its babies to fly is also a learned behavior.
offspring
babies
The offspring of dogs are puppies. The offspring of humans are children. The offspring of plants are seedlings.
egg
the first stage of a life cycle of some animals.
Insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish all lay eggs.
larva
an early stage of the life cycle of an insect
A caterpillar is an example of the larva stage for that insect.
chrysalis
the pupa stage of a butterfly, occurring between the larva and adult stages.
A chrysalis is often mistakenly called a cocoon.
nymph
A stage of life for some insects in which the insect looks like an adult but is not fully developed.
After the nymph stage, the adult insect will be able to reproduce.
pupa
The stage of metamorphosis in which an insect changes from a larva to an adult.
The pupa stage looks different for every insect, but it is the stage of dramatic change and little physical activity.
complete metamorphosis
the life cycle of an organism that changes completely in 4 stages.
Butterflies go through complete metamorphosis in their life cycle.
