The Structure and Function of Adaptations 7.12 A investigate and explain how internal structures of organisms have adaptations that allow specific functions, such as gills in fish, hollow bones in birds, or xylem in plants

Why adapt? An adaptation is a body part (structure) or behavior, or other trait that helps an animal survive in a particular environment. Adaptation can help an animal breathe, catch food, or hide. All animals are adapted to live in certain habitats.

Example of Adaptation The shape of an animal’s teeth depends on its diet. Herbivores, such as deer, have many molars for chewing tough grass and plants. Carnivores, such as lions, have sharp canines to kill and tear meat. http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/aquatic/crocodile/Cuban_Crocodile.jpg http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/prog/wildlife/herbivores.html is the link for this slide http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/D/deer/deer_2/sitka_black_tail.png http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/wild_cats/lion/lion_2/mountain_lion.png

Who experiences adaptations? All species of organisms (including all plants and animals) have adaptations and will continue to slowly adapt as the next generations are born. Adaptations have different jobs (functions) in each organism, and we will discuss how the following adaptations and others help organisms survive. Birds Fish Plants Hollow Bones Gills Xylem

Birds Hollow bones Leg Length Foot Webbing Beak Shape helps make flight possible Leg Length walking in deep water landing on tree branches Foot Webbing swimming Beak Shape reaching food (small bugs) cracking shells (nuts) http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/birds/I/Ibis/Ibis_small_photo.png http://www.projectbeak.org/adaptations/skeletal_hollow.htm is the link for this slide. It explains why birds’ bones are hollow. http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/birds/R/robin/American_Robin.png http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/birds/A/Avocet/American_avocet.png

Fish Gas exchange in gills Fins for locomotion http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/aquatic/fish/2_fish/Cod.png Gas exchange in gills Fins for locomotion Ability to survive in salt or fresh water http://bio-isu.tripod.com/id3.html is the link for this slide. It helps explain fish respiration. http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/aquatic/fish/other_fish/Rainbow_Trout.png

Plants Photosynthesis Roots, branches, leaves, fruit, and seeds adapt differently for different plants Xylem – tissue that forms structures that carry water throughout the plant http://www.wpclipart.com/food/fruit/grapes/concord_grape_plant.png http://www.wpclipart.com/plants/flowers/_A_to_B/Bitter_Root.png http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir9bm3fli90&feature=player_detailpage is the first link. Youtube video for xylem. http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html?id=670012572 is the second link. Excellent image of xylem. http://www.wpclipart.com/plants/Pauls_Garden/trees/redbud_tree_with_young_leaves.jpg

Resources This PowerPoint is partially adapted from Ms. Weinberg. The original PowerPoint can be viewed at http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/amiew/Animal-Adaptations-PPT It is also partially adapted from an animal adaptation powerpoint created by City of Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History the original can be viewed at http://www.ccmuseumedres.com/Animal%20Adaptations.ppt All images are either Microsoft Clipart or from the websites cited adjacent to each image.