1. Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species Chapter 7 Lesson 7.2

2. PA Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard 4.7.10.B Explain how structure, function and behavior of plants and animals affect their ability to survive. Explain how structure, function and behavior of plants and animals affect their ability to survive. Describe an organism’s adaptations for survival in its habitat.Describe an organism’s adaptations for survival in its habitat. Compare adaptations among species.Compare adaptations among species.

3. Learning Objectives Students will describe an organism’s adaptations for survival in its habitat. Students will describe an organism’s adaptations for survival in its habitat. Students will compare adaptations among species. Students will compare adaptations among species. Students will identify a species and explain how its adaptations are related to its niche in the environment. Students will identify a species and explain how its adaptations are related to its niche in the environment.

4. Theme Outline Lesson 7.2 Adaptations Adaptations Structural Adaptations Structural Adaptations Behavioral Adaptations Behavioral Adaptations

5. Adaptation Definition: special, inherited characteristic that helps an organism better survive in its environment and which is developed over time Two types of adaptations… Structural AdaptationsStructural Adaptations Behavioral AdaptationsBehavioral Adaptations Organisms capable of adapting: Survive longer Survive longer Produce more offspring Produce more offspring

6. Structural Adaptations Definition : physical characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment Some common structural adaptations… On land… legsOn land… legs Example: horses In the water… flippers and finsIn the water… flippers and fins Example: fish Meat eaters… canines to kill and tear preyMeat eaters… canines to kill and tear prey Example: dogs Herbivores… large, flat teethHerbivores… large, flat teeth Example: cows

7. Evolution of structural adaptations Structural adaptations evolve over time to help an organism overcome harsh environmental conditions. Structural adaptations evolve over time to help an organism overcome harsh environmental conditions. What are some examples of difficult environmental conditions?What are some examples of difficult environmental conditions? Problem: Low levels of sunlight because of thick forest canopies Problem: Low levels of sunlight because of thick forest canopies Solution: Adaptation of broad leaves to capture as much sunlight as possible Solution: Adaptation of broad leaves to capture as much sunlight as possible Problem: Hot temperatures created by the sun Problem: Hot temperatures created by the sun Solution: Adaptation of “thermal windows” that allow organisms to dissipate heat. Ex. Desert fox – large ears Solution: Adaptation of “thermal windows” that allow organisms to dissipate heat. Ex. Desert fox – large ears

8. A Unique Structural Adaptation: Camouflage Purpose: To create a coloration pattern and unique color that will allow organisms to blend into their surroundings and avoid predators.

9. Mimicry Definition : adaptation in which one species copies the appearance or behavior of another species Example: Viceroy butterfly/Monarch butterfly.Example: Viceroy butterfly/Monarch butterfly. Example: Coral Snake/King Snake Example: Coral Snake/King Snake

10. Two types of adaptations… Structural AdaptationsStructural Adaptations Behavioral AdaptationsBehavioral Adaptations Behavioral Adaptations Definition: way in which an organism acts or responds to its environment in order to survive Example. Schools of fish

11. Two types of Behavioral Adaptations 1. Reflexive Adaptations 2. Instinctive Adaptations Reflexive Behavior Definition : behavior that is triggered automatically by something outside an organism Instinctive Behavior Definition : behavior that an organism carries out because it is genetically prone to do so

12. So why have behavioral adaptations? To avoid predators To avoid predators Organisms that search for food at night Organisms that burrow in underground holes Organisms that travel in groups Organisms that look bigger than their actual size Organisms that change their posture to appear dead

13. So why have behavioral adaptations? To survive environmental stress To survive environmental stress Organisms that migrate Organisms that enter estivation (torpor) to avoid summer heat Organisms that enter hibernation and decrease their metabolic activity during the winter months

14. So why have behavioral adaptations? To find a mate To find a mate To protect their young To protect their young