Adaptation  Catalyst:  What do random mutations change?  What is fitness?  How are random mutations related to fitness? Write in complete sentences! Don’t talk during the Catalyst!

Objective By the end of today, all SWBAT…  Describe whether or not a trait is an adaptation

Agenda  Catalyst Review  What Is an Adaptation  Guided Practice: Is This an Adaptation?  Independent Practice: Planet Earth  Conclusion  Exit Question

Catalyst Review  Random mutations change organisms’ DNA  Transcription/translation errors  UV radiation  Fitness is the ability of an organism to pass its genes on to future generations  Random mutations can increase, decrease, or not change fitness

Adaptation  Mutations result in variation—not all organisms in a species are the same.  Sometimes, mutations produce adaptations.  Adaptations are heritable traits that increase an organism’s fitness in a specific environment.

Break It Down Stop! Biology time!!!

“Adaptations are heritable traits…”  Heritable: passed on through genes; inherited from parents.  Key Point #1:  To be an adaptation, a trait MUST be heritable  Not all traits are heritable!  Heritable traits: eye color, hair color, skin color, height, hairiness  Non-heritable traits: tattoos, favorite type of music, hairstyle, learned knowledge

Structural Adaptation Bird Wing Moth Coloring

Physiological Adaptations Secreting Slime Making venom Bioluminescence

Behavioral Adaptations Migration is a voluntary behavior Goosebumps is a reflex behavior

“…that increases an organism’s fitness…”  Fitness: ability of an organism to pass its genes on to the next generation. Measured by the number of children an organism has.  Key Point #2:  To be an adaptation, a trait MUST increase fitness (allow an organism to have more children)

“…in a specific environment.”  Key Point #3:  Whether or not a trait increases an organism’s fitness depends on the specific environment that it lives in.

DOES NOT INCREASE FITNESS BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

The Point  Make a checklist. Is the trait…  Heritable?  Going to increase fitness in a specific environment?  If your answer to either of these questions is “no,” then the trait is NOT AN ADAPTATION.

Example: Crocodile Teeth  Crocodiles have sharp, pointed teeth.  The shape of their teeth is heritable.  Having sharp, pointed teeth helps them to survive in their specific environment.  So, it is an adaptation.

Non-Example: Favorite Food  Favorite food is not heritable.  Your parents’ favorite food does not have any bearing on your favorite food.  Favorite food does not help you survive.  So, your favorite food is not an adaptation.

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYes Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYes Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Guided Practice (GP) TraitEnvironmentHeritable?Inc. Fitness?Adaptation? Wolves develop thick fur TaigaYes Wolves develop thick fur Tropical forestYesNo Beetles burrow in dirt to avoid predators BeachYes Bear learns that lots of fish are found in river Coniferous forestNoYesNo Humans develop dark skin AfricaYes Scorpions develop ability to attack with poison DesertYes

Independent Practice (IP) We’re going to watch Planet Earth: Pole to Pole. (Hooray, a movie!!!)

Exit Question Polar bears have thick, white fur. 1. Is this trait heritable? 2. Does this trait increase polar bears’ fitness in the specific environment that they live in? If yes, HOW? If no, WHY NOT? 3. Based on your previous answers, is this trait an adaptation? Write in complete sentences! Don’t talk during the Exit Question!