Unit 3-Lesson 1

Question 1

What is an adaptation? and how does it help the environment?

Answer 1

• An adaptation is a structure, behaviour or physiological process
  
  • These help an organism to survive and reproduce in particular environment
  • Example: Camouflage

Question 2

What is physiological adaptation?

Answer 2

Physiological Adaptation is an internal body process to regulate and maintain homeostasis in an organism so that it can survive in its environment

Example: Hibernation allows organisms like the ground squirrel to survive in very harsh environments

Question 3

What is structural adaptation? Give an example as well

Answer 3

Structural Adaptation: physical features which benefits an organisms survival within a particular environment
Example: Sharp talons to catch their prey and excellent vision of owl

Question 4

How do species develop adaptation?

Answer 4

Developing Adaptations are a result of gradual change of characteristics over time; CHANGE NOT BY DESIGN

Question 5

What is mimicry? and how does it help species

Answer 5

Mimicry is when many harmless species resemble a harmful species in coloration or structure.
- Predators that avoid the dangerous species will avoid the harmless one

Question 6

What happened in the case of the Peppered Moth?

Answer 6

The English peppered moth are an excellent example of how the inherited characteristics in a population changes in response to changes in the environment

In conclusion, before the industrial revolution, more flecked moths survived and therefore passed on the genes for flecked colouring in the gene pool. However when air pollution increased, more black moths survived with each successive generation and the ratio of flecked to black moths survived with each successive generation and the ratio of flecked to black moths in the population essentially reversed

Question 7

Define biological species

Answer 7

Biological Species: A group of reproductively compatible populations

Question 8

Define Genetic Variation

Answer 8

Genetic Variation: Driving force for adaptation. Variation comes from genetic mutations

Question 9

Define Mutation

Answer 9

Mutation are genetic changes that happen in DNA

Question 10

What are the benefits of a mutations?

Answer 10

Sometimes a mutation allows for a trait that has benefits especially in a changing. environment - it will select which organism will survive

Question 11

List the characteristics of natural selection

Answer 11

• Depends on reproductive success
• Operates on a population, NOT an individual
• Dynamic between genetic change and the changing environment
• Environment exerts Selective pressure:
  
  • Selective pressure is environmental conditions that select for certain individuals and select against others
• Natural Selection can take time or can happen quickly