1.2.11

Adaptations

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Adaptations

Adaptations are changes in the characteristics of organisms. These changes have occurred over millions of years. This process is known as evolution.

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Adaptation

  • Adaptations are passed down from generation to generation.
  • Adaptations aid the organism in its survival.
  • There are three types of adaptations:
    • Structural adaptations
    • Physiological adaptations
    • Behavioural adaptations
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Structural adaptations

  • Structural adaptations are related to the physical appearance of an organism.
  • Examples of structural adaptations include:
    • Fish gills
    • Talons on a bird of prey
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Physiological adaptations

  • Physiological adaptations are related to the organism's internal organs.
  • Examples of physiological adaptations include:
    • Major organs such as the heart (to pump blood) or stomach (to digest cellulose)
    • The production of hormones and enzymes
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Behavioural adaptations

  • Behavioural adaptations are the response an organism has when it survives.
  • Behavioural adaptations include:
    • Octopuses can change shape and colour
    • Gull chicks peck at the red dot on their parent's beak to get food

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Disciplinary Knowledge

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