Basic Vocabulary Genetic Diversity - Level of biodiversity referring to the total number of genetic characteristics in a species Biodiversity - the variation of species in a given ecosystem – used to measure the health of biological systems

Basic Vocabulary Adaptation – Inherited characteristic that increases an organism’s chance of survival – can lead to the creation of a new species over time. (how much time??) Selective Breeding/Artificial Selection – Selection by humans for breeding of useful traits from the natural variation among different organisms

Theory of Natural Selection Natural Selection – A process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully. FOUR MAIN POINTS Overproduction Genetic variation Struggle to survive Successful reproduction

The Big Ideas of Adaptations Environment & ecosystems continually change Adaptations are a product of time, environment and natural selection Genetic variations are needed to maintain health in a species Change is needed within a species to ensure its survival in a changing environment Organisms are governed by the genetic material found in the cell’s nucleus Natural selection and selective breeding occurs in both plants and animals

Purposes of Adaptations Getting food Protection Reproduction Water conservation Getting Oxygen Decrease competition Remember adaptations can form due to environment or behavior

3 Types of Adaptations Structural Adaptations – Changes in the structure of organism’s body parts. (Thorns, disruptive coloring or spikes) Camouflage – a species blends in with environment” Mimicry – one species “copies” another species (visual, smell, sound)

3 Types of Adaptations Physiological Adaptations - Changes in organism’s metabolic processes (jobs of body parts) Ex. Drug resistance, pesticide resistance, poison glands, blood shunting

3 Types of Adaptations Behavioral Adaptations – changes in organism’s response to environment Migration or hibernation These can be learned behaviors (taught) or instinctual (inherited)

plants and Adaptations in Plants Images © graphicsfactory.com

What are Plants? Let’s Review Plants are multicellular autotrophic, non-mobile organisms. Whew!!! Multicellular – made of many cells Autotrophic – ‘self-feeders’; they make their own food Non-mobile – do not move about

How Do Plants Function? All plants grow. They need sunlight, water, soil, and air! Making their own food is called PHOTOSYNTHESIS. All plants make their own food, which is turned into energy needed for growth.

What Is Photosynthesis? This beautiful plant was made with my help! Photosynthesis is a process where the cells of plants are able to use the energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to make sugar.

What are the main plant parts? Leaf: where photosynthesis occurs Flower: reproductive organ Stem: provides support and contains vascular tissue Roots: absorb water and minerals, and anchor the plant

Plants Must Adapt! Plants live in many different kinds of environments. They must survive many different types of conditions. In order to survive and thrive, they need to adapt! They still need water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight!

Adaptations in Desert Plants The main condition plants in the desert have to contend with is the lack of water and extreme heat. Plants have developed very interesting ways to survive extreme dryness and extreme temperatures.

Adaptations in Desert Plants Plants like this saguaro cactus can store lots of water. The ‘ribs’ can expand as water is absorbed quickly from the infrequent rains. Living far apart from each other can reduce competition for any available water in the soil. Shallow roots that spread out gather any available water.

Adaptations in Desert Plants Plants grow slowly in the desert and vegetation is sparse. So it’s important that the desert plants protect themselves from hungry animals! Some plants develop spines to prevent animals from eating them. Some plants flower very quickly!

Adaptations in Desert Plants Many desert plants will produce a tough, waxy cuticle coating to prevent excess water loss. Some desert plants will not produce leaves. The cells in their stems are able to carry out photosynthesis.

Nifty Adaptations… Some plants make showy and fragrant flowers to attract pollinators, such as bees, flies, wasps and butterflies.

‘What Is Good for One Is Not Good For the Other’ Adaptation… Some plants live dependently on another plant, taking nutrients from it. This is mistletoe – a parasitic plant that grows on the branches of oak trees. The oak tree is its host.

Adaptations For Living In Cold Locations Plants that live in the tundra face very adverse conditions! The ground is frozen most of the year. The cold winds are strong. Winters are dark. The growing season is short. Therefore, plants have shallow roots. They are short and live close to the ground. They flower and produce seeds very quickly. They may live close together and close to rocks for shelter.

Adaptations For Living In Special Locations… If conditions are generally dry in the area in which they live, plants will tend to have small leaves. This prevents excessive water loss since plants lose water through their leaves.

Adaptations For Living In Special Locations… Plants that live in shady locations such as in forests, struggle to find enough sunlight. They may climb taller plants like trees to get more sunlight.

Adaptations For Living In Special Locations… Plants that live on the floor of rain forests also suffer from lack of sunlight. The leaves of plants on the forest floor must be large to gather as much light as possible.

Adaptations For Living In Special Locations… Aquatic plants are adapted to living in water. Some have only their roots and stems living in the water… Others are totally submerged.

Adaptations of Plants In Water Aquatic plants carry on photosynthesis too, so they must live near the surface to gather the most sunlight possible. Their leaves and stems must be flexible to sway with the movement of the water.

Adaptations of Plants In Water How do aquatic plants stay in place? ‘Holdfasts’ are root-like structures which keep kelp plants anchored in shallow waters close to the shore. Air bladders help keep kelp upright and nearer the surface to gather sunlight.

Still More Adaptations… Many plants produce fruits that protect their seeds. The fruits attract animals that want to eat the fruit. The good news is that the plant’s seeds will then get scattered and have a chance to grow!

Can You Think of Other Adaptations Plants May Have Which Help Them Survive?