Traits for Survival

What do living things need to survive?

Losing access to any of these things will reduce your chance of survival.

Losing access to food = starvation

Losing access to water = dehydration

Losing access to oxygen = suffocation

An organism’s survival is dependent not only on its ability to meet its needs, but also on its ability to survive environmental threats.

Threat: Predators Predation- when one organism capture and feeds on another. A predator will eat prey. Not enough prey can cause predators to starve.

Threat: Extreme temperatures Shelter or body coverings can help protect against this threat Feathers and nests are examples of ways in which birds protect themselves and their offspring from extreme temperatures in the environment.

Threat: Diseases Diseases can weaken an organism and make it difficult for it to meet its needs Starvation and dehydration can weaken an organism and make it more susceptible to disease.

Physical Traits for Survival Physical Trait: A distinct feature or body part. Some physical traits protect organisms from predators, while others help them avoid dehydration, starvation, or extreme temperatures.

Protection from predators https://www.boredpanda.com/animal-camouflage-39/

Protection from Dehydration Plant roots grow deep to find water Camels can store extra water in their bloodstream

Protection from starvation

Protection from Extreme Temperatures

Traits inspire Design Armadillo lizard

Behavioral Traits and Survival Behavioral Trait – a distinct way in which an organism interacts with its environment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xodVcgJ8bc0

Environmental Influences on Traits Some traits will change over time, maybe even in response to the environment. The smaller, pinkish rainbow trout spends its life in streams or rivers. The larger, silvery rainbow trout lives most of its life in the ocean. Although both fish are the same species and looked similar when young, the environment has played a large role in their color, size, and behavior.

The color of flowers can also be affected by the environment The color of flowers can also be affected by the environment. Hydrangea flowers are sensitive to acid and other chemicals in soil. When the soil contains a lot of acid, the flowers are blue. In soil that is not acidic, the flowers are pink. A gardener can affect the color of the flowers by adding certain chemicals to the soil.

Passing on Traits to Offspring Many traits that aid in survival are passed from parent to offspring. (coloration, thick fur, good eye sight, etc.)

Some behavioral traits are passed on when the parent teaches the offspring. Lion cubs know they have to kill their prey, but mom will teach them how to stalk, how to work with other lions to ambush, how to pick out the weak prey, and how to attack.

Only organisms with the best traits which survive long enough to reproduce, will pass on the traits to their young. Which zebra will be easier to single out and chase? Will it survive and reproduce to pass along its traits?