How organisms gain an advantage for survival. Adaptations How organisms gain an advantage for survival.

Adaptations An adaptation is a structure or ability an organism has inherited (genetics) which provides the ability to find food, reproduce or escape predators better than other members of the species.

Adaptations Organisms are always competing for limited resources. Ex:

Adaptations Remember most species are in constant danger from predators. Some individuals are better at avoiding being eating. Some use camouflage. Others use speed or flight.

Adaptations

Adaptations Some individuals are most attractive to the opposite sex than others… Ex:

Adaptations Remember there are always more offspring sprouting, hatched or born than can possibly survive. Any small change can make the difference between survival or extinction.

Adaptations Adaptations occur naturally as a result of genetic variations in any population.

Adaptations Some genetic variations do not help organisms survive and are neutral. Ex: Blue eyes or brown eyes. Most variations are harmful and can cause predation or reproductive failure. Ex: A white rabbit. Ex: A peacock without a tail.

Adaptations The best adapted organisms leave more offspring and past their genes to the next generation thereby changing the nature of the species. This process helps to explain the amazing variety of life on Earth. Over time, an adaptation which provides an important advantage can change the frequency of a gene allele (gene choice) in a population, this process is called evolution.

Adaptations In some symbiotic relationships, organisms can adapt together, this is called co-evolution. Ex:

Adaptations Sometimes a successfully organisms have mimic species which imitates the advantage of the original.

Adaptations The mimic is not choosing to imitate, but is chosen by the same environmental pressure that produced the original. Ex: Competition for resources. Ex: Competition to avoid predators. Ex: Competition for mates.

Adaptations Adaptations produce organisms that are specialized in a niche of a particular ecosystem. However, if the environment suddenly changes, the highly adapted organisms may not survive. Ex: A giant meteor hits, earth cools off, dinosaurs go extinct.

Adaptations This may explain why the actions of humans which change the environment rapidly, can lead to the lost of so many species. Ex: Farmers hunt prairie dogs, endangering black-footed ferrets. Ex: Humans release FCs into atmosphere, destroying ozone,several amphibian species went extinct.

Succession A progression of different species take over the community of an area. It can occur quickly or take several million years. It can occur naturally or be initiated by human actions. It usually leads to a climax community dominated by a stable species.

Succession

Succession

Succession

Artificial Selection Humans can make choices which change species. By breeding individuals with desired characteristics we “create” breeds. Ex: 150+ dog varieties, one species. Ex: Farm animals and crops. Ex: Samurai crabs

Remember: Science doesn’t understand all the relationships in ecosystems. We are far from being able to predict the results of our actions. You can’t pick a flower without juggling a star.