Animal Adaptations and variation Unit 12

What is a Trait Cont.? A characteristic of some organism, like how it looks or acts. Can be passed down from parents to offspring = (inherited) Can be learned Allows organism to survive and reproduce in its environment in which it lives. Add this information to your definition if you do not have it. Allow students to ask questions or share ideas for clarification. You will go further with your discussion on the following slides. Be sure students make the conclusion that all organisms are adapted to live within the ecosystem they are found in. http://irisblue.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/you-are-not-alone/ http://southwest.com.au/~kirbyhs/dolphins4.html

Inherited vs. Learned What do we mean when we say inherited? Whom are traits inherited from? How are they passed down? Give some examples of things you inherit: Looks… Behaviors… Allow students to be active in this lesson. Many of these topics have been covered in previous grade levels. We want students to talk about heredity and DNA here. Make sure students understand that how a thing looks and is built is inherited through DNA as well as some actions – Instincts are inherited as well. Students must be able to distinguish between instincts and learned behaviors. Their traits enable them to live in their environment!!!

Learned Behaviors What are some things you are NOT born knowing? List some items you must learn and share with a partner to see if you come up with some similar or different ideas. Share your thoughts with the teacher. Students at times get learned behaviors and instincts confused. Let them relate behaviors to themselves and then relate the talk to animals as well. Wolves have instincts to eat prey animals, but they must learn from the pack leaders how to become successful hunters!!

Natural Selection: These pictures show variation in species in big cats and owls. Natural selection is considered to be the biggest factor resulting in the diversity of species (speciation). Natural selection is one of the basic mechanisms of evolution, along with mutation, migration, and genetic drift. There is variation in traits which results in a diverse population of species. The environment can't support unlimited population growth of all species, particularly if they are all in the same ecosystem competing for the same resources. Therefore not all individuals get to reproduce to their full potential. Natural selection takes place when the surviving species proves to be the one best suited for the environment. Therefore whatever those traits are, are continually passed on. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/evo_25 The following link references activities and information on natural selection from our PEER website: http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosystems/module_1/activity.htm Examples: Only the strongest and fastest cheetahs are going to survive. Male lions compete for their prides. The strongest lion wins therefore those genes are passed on to offspring. These are just two examples of the strongest will survive. It applies to animals that must depend on camouflage and stealth as well. Plants must survive the environment and be able to reproduce as well. Students can be encouraged to research many other types of animals and what traits are looked at as beneficial to be passed on to ensure survival. http://www.ducksters.com/animals/lion.php http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/Behavior/Spring2002/Guthrie/MatingBehavior.html

Natural Selection: All organisms need to reproduce to survive. The successful organisms pass on the genetic information of the surviving species from generation to generation. This 'weeding out' of the less suited organisms and the reward of survival to those better suited led Darwin to conclude that species evolve at different times and places and his survival of the fittest theory. This slide give a very formal and detailed explanation of natural selection. After the conversation the last few slides have generated students should be able to hear/read this information and understand it. Allow for more discussion if any confusion still exists. As a consequence of this, a changing environment would mean different characteristics would be favorable in a changing environment. Darwin believed that organisms had 'evolved' to suit their environments, and occupy an ecological niche where they would be best suited to their environment and therefore have the best chance of survival. As the above indicates, those alleles of a species that are favored in the environment will become more frequent in the genomes of the species, due to the organisms higher likeliness of surviving as part of the species at large http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/Ecosystems/module_1/activity.htm http://www.biology-online.org/2/11_natural_selection.htm http://www.shamutv.com/animal-info/info-books/bottlenose/behavior.htm http://www.afrizim.com/Travel_Guides/Animals/Giraffe.asp

The Galapagos Finches: An Example of Natural Selection DNA data indicate the origin of Darwin’s finches from a single ancestral species. The most important differences between species are in the size and shape of their beaks, and the beaks are highly adapted to different food sources. Let students observe the different beaks and their intended use. Let students explain why the shape of beak would be beneficial for its niche/or way of getting food. Darwin's finches are an excellent example of the way in which species' gene pools have adapted in order for long term survival via their offspring. The Darwin's Finches diagram above illustrates the way the finch has adapted to take advantage of feeding in different ecological niche's. Their beaks have evolved over time to be best suited to their function. For example, the finches who eat grubs have a thin extended beak to poke into holes in the ground and extract the grubs. Finches who eat buds and fruit would be less successful at doing this, while their claw like beaks can grind down their food and thus give them a selective advantage in circumstances where buds are the only real food source for finches. There are important differences in behavior and song melodies of the finches as well. http://www.thisviewoflife.org/evolution/finch.html http://www.biology-online.org/2/11_natural_selection.htm The adaptive evolution and specialization of Galápagos Finches

Adaptation vs. Mutation: What is a Mutation? When a new/different genetic trait first appears in an organism it is often looked at as a “mutation”. Note: Not all “Mutations” are bad. When they are caused by “Gene Shuffling” it just means something different than what is normally expected, was passed on to the offspring due to the large amount of DNA combination possibilities. These slides are here to help differentiate to the students the difference between birth defect types of mutations and a possible new trait that may be able to be passed on and produce a new species. Abnormal mutations will not increase likely increase the chances of an organisms survival. Since there are many traits within a species at times a trait that is not the dominant one may be passed on to the offspring. IF this trait reduces the species survival chances, like a red fox being born in the arctic, then the red color will not be passed on in that environment and therefore will continue to be a recessive trait that may be passed on randomly. If a new trait appears in a species that it can be called a possible mutation, but if it allows the species to survive and thrive then it will be passed on and may be the start of a new breed of that species, like the finches of the Galapagos Islands. Mutations can be completely new traits that benefit an organism and therefore become a new trait, or they may be something that is completely unhelpful to that organism and therefore is not passed on. If the new trait decreases the rate of survival for that organism then it will be called a random mutation because it will not be passed on. If the mutation does not help the survival of the species than that particular animal with the mutation will die out and the gene for the mutation will not be passed on therefore it will not become a new adaptation. Discuss the two pictures. The Red fox is found in many deciduous forest biomes, but would not survive in the arctic biome. Why? What mutation turned adaptation did the arctic fox develop to allow for it to survive in the arctic? A mutation can simply be a recessive gene that gets passed forward. If a mutation does not help the species survive and thrive then it will simply go away or stay recessive when the particular animal carrying it dies. The gene only becomes stronger and dominant if it benefits the animal species ability to survive in some way. Red fox will hibernate in winter time in deciduous forest. Arctic fox will hunt during winter months in arctic. Its coat gets a little browner in arctic summer, not much just slightly to blend a little better with the mix of ground and snow that covers the tundra. Picture: http://chris.thejordansusa.com/arctic_fox.html http://www.angelfire.com/ar2/thefoxden/redfox.html http://blogs.grab.com/senseisera/462997 Which fox is best suited for the environment it is in? Why? Are these adaptations or mutations? Why?

What is Selective Breeding? Thoroughbred Horses - bred for speed! Angora Rabbits - bred for soft fluffy fur. Used in clothing. Breeders of animals and plants in today's world want to produce organisms that will possess the most desirable characteristics. What are desirable characteristics? So how do you think they make plants and animals with all the best characteristics????? Present this slide to class and allow them to answer the questions first. They are probably exposed to selective breeding in some way. Ask them what fruits and vegetables are bought at the grocery store? How do people breed horses and cows to get speed, high meat yield, a certain color…do they leave it to chance or do people pick and choose who the parents are? Possible Answers: high yield crops, crops that are resistance to disease, fast growth rate, fastest horses, finest hair for rabbit…and many other characteristics that will benefit the organism and species in the long term. Pictures: Thoroughbred Horse breeding is very selective. Each breed has specific traits found desirable by the people who use them, so mares and studs are chosen to be crossed based on producing offspring that has the best of the both the parents. Angora Rabbits, bred for the best fur. Corn hybrid versions are made for sweetness, fast growing, drought and flood resistance. Cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, birds, chickens, and rabbits are just a few kinds of animals that are involved in selective breeding. All of the meat and produce, grains and dairy products in the grocery store have been exposed to selective breeding in some way. Farmers are trying to get the best product in the quickest way possible. This allows them to get their product on the shelf where it can make them money as quickly as possible. http://sachem.suffolk.lib.ny.us/advisor/horsebooks.htm http://www.burpee.com/product/id/105013.do http://blogs.grab.com/senseisera/462997 Corn – new hybrids created to be high producing, drought resistant, and disease resistant.

Cattle like this are used to increase beef production. Selective Breeding: This process of selecting the “best” parents is called artificial selection or selective breeding. Specific plants or animals with specific traits are crossed to get offspring with the same desirable traits. Some selective breeding can change things about a species. Like this cauliflower that has had color bred in to it. Selective breeding has allowed us to increase the efficiency of the animals and plants we breed, such as increasing milk yield from cows by continuously breeding selected cows with one another to produce a hybrid Please note that selective breeding must be carefully monitored and performed correctly. Continuous in-breeding and selective breeding of particular genes runs the risk of losing some of the other genes from the gene pool altogether, which is irreversible. Also, these type of processes would have high odds of occurring naturally under natural selection given enough time. http://www.biology-online.org/2/12_selective_breeding.htm

In Conclusion: Adaptations can be both how an organism looks and how it acts. Adaptations are how a population becomes better suited to live in its environment. They can be random at times and thus called mutations at first. Natural Selection – Organisms with the most favorable traits survive in the natural environment and reproduce most successfully. Selective Breeding – People picking only the traits they like to be passed on. Happy Adapting!!! http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Natural_selection Picture: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-01-16-rarest-mammals_x.htm http://blogs.grab.com/senseisera/462997

Defend against predators Find mates for reproduction Basic Animal Requirements: Find food to grow Defend against predators Find mates for reproduction

How do these factors help animals survive? Body parts—structural adaptation Behavioral adaptation Physiological adaptation Learned behavior Coloration/Camouflage

Structural Adaptation

Structural Adaptation A body part that aids in survival Examples: Fins Gills Teeth Streamline body No eye lids

How do different feet types aid in survival?

Structural Adaptation A body part that aids in survival Examples: Heron’s feet are for wading in mud Eagle’s feet for grabbing and holding prey Duck’s feet are for swimming Sparrow’s feet are for perching

How do these factors help animals survive? Body parts—structural adaptation Behavioral adaptation Physiological adaptation Learned behavior Coloration/Camouflage

Behavioral Adaptation

Behavioral Adaptation An action that aids in survival Clown fish seek shelter from predators in sea anemones. Sea anemones are poisonous to other marine creatures.

Behavioral Adaptation

Behavioral Adaptation An action that aids in survival Lions stay together in a pride. As a group they can help each other hunt, care for young, and watch for danger.

How do these factors help animals survive? Body parts—structural adaptation Behavioral adaptation Physiological adaptation Learned behavior Coloration/Camouflage

Physiological Adaptation

Physiological Adaptation Jobs of the body parts controlling life process that aid in survival. A bear’s body slows down in the winter. This helps them survive the long winter temperature and scarce food during winter months. Many know this as hibernation. Most bears do not sleep through the entire winter. They do get up and change dens, so this is not true hibernation, but a winter sleep.

Physiological Adaptation

Physiological Adaptation Jobs of the body parts controlling life process that aid in survival. Dolphins are mammals and need to breath air. They spend their entire lives in the water and their body’s have adapted so that they can hold their breath for several minutes.