Adaptations
Science: KS3, topic 1.2.11
Adaptations
Adaptations are changes in the characteristics of organisms. The changes have occurred over millions of years. The process is known as evolution.
Adaptation
- Adaptations are passed down from generation to generation.
- Adaptations aid the organism in its survival.
Types of adaptation
- There are three types of adaptations:
- Structural adaptations
- Physiological adaptations
- Behavioural adaptations
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
Physiological adaptations
- Physiological adaptations relate to an organism's internal organs.
- Examples include:
- Major organs like the heart (pumps blood) or stomach (digests cellulose)
- Production of hormones and enzymes
Behavioural adaptations
- Behavioural adaptations are an organism's response when it survives.
- Examples include:
- Octopuses can change shape and colour
- Gull chicks peck the red dot on their parent's beak to get food
Test yourself on Adaptations
What are the three types of adaptation?
What type of adaptation is the production of enzymes and hormones?
Adaptations help organisms survive and are passed down from parents to their offspring. Why might a useful adaptation become common in a species over many generations?
A cow's stomach can digest cellulose from grass. Why is this an example of a physiological adaptation rather than a structural one?