adaptation

1. What’s an adaptation?
• A structure or behavior that helps an
organism survive in its environment.

2. Duck’s
webbed feet
Monkey’s
opposable
thumb
Snake’s
hinged jaw
Fish swim
in schools
Dogs chase
away
strangers
Birds fly
south for
winter
You shiver
when cold
Wolf grows
thick coat in
winter
Cats’ fur
stands on
end when
threatened
STRUCTURAL
ADAPTATION
BEHAVIORAL
ADAPTATION
PHYSIOLOGICAL
ADAPTATION
PART CHOICE AUTOMATIC
p 21

3. Adaptations
Can you tell the difference
between the 3 types?
Structural, Behavioral,
Physiological

4. Example: fish swim in
schools (protection)

5. Example: bird calls
(attract mates, defense)

6. Example: squirrels bury
nuts (resource for winter)

7. Which type of adaptation?
Structural - Behavioral - Physiological
swimming
in schools calls or
howls or
cries
burying food
for winter

8. Adaptation Definition Example
Structural
Behavioral
Physiological
- action done on
purpose to help
with survival
- by choice
squirrels bury
nuts (resource
for winter)
p 23

9. QUILLS on a porcupine
(defense)

10. prehensile tail on
a spider monkey
(for climbing)

11. thick fur on an arctic fox
(for warmth)

12. QUILLS TAIL
FUR
Which type of adaptation?
Behavioral - Structural - Physiological

13. Adaptation Definition Example
Structural
Behavioral
Physiological
- physical feature
that helps an
organism survive
- body part
- action done on
purpose to help
with survival
- by choice
prehensile tail on
a spider monkey
(for climbing)
squirrels bury
nuts (resource
for winter)
p 23

14. Example:
shedding
winter coat
(stay cool in
hot weather)

15. Example: sweating
(stay cool)

16. Example: adrenaline is
pumped into the bloodstream
when you get scared or surprised
(heart speeds up –
you’re ready to run)

17. normal pupil pupil in low light
Example: your pupils
automatically dilate (get bigger) in
dark places, to let in more light

18. Which type of adaptation?
Behavioral - Structural - Physiological
shedding fur
in summer
sweating to
cool you
adrenaline
for speedy
escape
pupils
change size
to match the
light

19. Adaptation Definition Example
Structural
Behavioral
Physiological
- physical feature
that helps an
organism survive
- body part
- action done on
purpose to help
with survival
- by choice
- involuntary
action or change
- cell activity
- automatic
prehensile tail on
a spider monkey
(for climbing)
squirrels bury
nuts (resource
for winter)
sweating to
keep you
cool
p 23