Adaptations and Survival

Adaptations Traits that make it more likely for an organism to survive and reproduce Changes in a habitat lead to changes in organisms over time Sexual reproduction allows variation

Why adapt? to obtain food, water, nutrients Cope with physical conditions (cold temperatures) Defend against threats reproduce

Structural adaptations- physical change Types of Adaptations Structural adaptations- physical change Example: spikes on a cactus or webbed feet Behavioral adaptations- change in action Learned- has to be taught (Lions hunting) Instinctive- born with it (birds migrating) #9 p. 296

Vestigial Adaptations An adaptation that becomes useless over time but does not go away Answer #10 on p. 297

Mutations random changes in a species genes Can he helpful, harmful, or neither When helpful genes are passed down it is possible for them to become a common trait Gradual changes in species over time is called evolution

Natural Selection Competition for organisms to survive “Survival of the fittest” Better adaptations/traits help organisms survive Harmful traits will eventually die out

Exaptation An adaptation that was originally for one purpose but now has other purposes Example: some believe feathers were for warmth but now they also help with flight so flight is the exapation

Coadaptation and co-extinction Some organisms adapt together to meet each other’s needs. But if one species goes extinct it could cause the other to as well. #11 p. 297

Make sure you understand All the examples of adaptations on p Make sure you understand All the examples of adaptations on p. 299 in your textbook Explain and give an example! Table 1 Mimicry and Camouflage Tables 2 and 5 Chemical Defense Tables 3 and 4 Body Coverings and parts Table 6 and 7 Migration Table 8 Hibernation