ANIMAL MOUTHPARTS

ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT  Environmental conditions have shaped the evolution of every organism on the planet. From the structure of a maple tree's cells, to the camouflage of a praying mantis, to the wariness of a gazelle, countless physical and behavioral traits have grown out of the interaction between organisms and their environment. These traits, called adaptations, are the result of natural selection, and they give an organism the ability to survive and reproduce in a given set of conditions.  Evolution - the process by which changes in plants and animals happen over time  Adaptation - a change in a plant or animal that makes it better able to live in a particular place or situation  Natural Selection - the process by which plants and animals that can adapt to changes in their environment are able to survive and reproduce while those that cannot adapt do not survive

FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT  One component of the environment that has been particularly influential in the evolutionary process is food. Over millions of years, the amount and type of food available to a species has dramatically influenced both the manner in which individuals of that species find food and the physical traits that help them catch and eat their food most efficiently.  As you view the following slides, consider the structure of the mouthparts and predict the type of food it is adapted to eat.

WHAT DOES THIS ANIMAL EAT?