The document discusses adaptations that allow organisms to survive in different habitats. It provides examples of physical and behavioral adaptations that allow polar bears, camels, cacti, and kangaroo rats to thrive in cold and dry environments. It also discusses aquatic adaptations of barracudas and an unusual adaptation of pitcher plants that traps insects for nutrients. The document contains diagrams and facts about adaptations and is intended to teach students about how organisms are suited to their environments.

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Adaptation
KS4 Biology

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Adaptation
Contents
What is an adaptation?
Adaptations for a cold climate
Other adaptations
Adaptation activities
Adaptations for a dry climate

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Different types of habitat
In general, there are three major habitat types in the world.
land habitats
marine habitats
freshwater habitats
How do organisms survive in such different habitats?

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What is an adaptation?
A habitat is only populated by organisms that are
adapted to survive there.
Adaptations are special features or behaviours that
make an organism particularly suited to its environment.
Adaptations are a part of the evolutionary process.
Why is it important that living things are adapted to their
environment?
Adaptations increase an organism’s chance of survival
and so increase its chance of reproducing.
Why is reproduction so important for all living species?

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Matching organisms to their habitat

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Adaptation
Contents
What is an adaptation?
Adaptations for a cold climate
Other adaptations
Adaptation activities
Adaptations for a dry climate

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How are polar bears adapted to life in an extremely cold
climate?
White fur acts as
camouflage.
Large feet spread the
body’s weight. The wide
paws act as good paddles
How are polar bears adapted?
Thick fur and a thick
layer of body fat insulate
from the cold.
Small ears help to reduce
heat loss.
and snow shoes.

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Other adaptations that polar bears have evolved to cope
with conditions in the harsh polar environment are:
How are polar bears adapted?
Skin is actually black
to absorb any heat
transmitted through
the hairs.
Greasy fur repels water
and keeps the bear dry.
Eyes have brown irises
to reduce the glare from
sunlight reflection.
Body surface area is
small compared to volume
to reduce heat loss.

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Adaptation
Contents
What is an adaptation?
Adaptations for a cold climate
Other adaptations
Adaptation activities
Adaptations for a dry climate

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Curious camel facts
…camels have three
stomachs.
...some camels live to
over 40 years old.
…some Bactrian camels
can transport 450 kg.
…archaeological finds
show that they originated
in North America.
…Somalia is home to
over 6 million camels!
Camels are amazing creatures! Did you know that…

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Wide feet for spreading
How is a camel adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate?
Fat is stored in the hump.
There is no other body fat
to prevent overheating.
How is a camel adapted?
Brown coat for camouflage.
Long, thin legs mean the
body surface area is large
compared to volume
to increase heat loss.
Loses little water through
sweating or urine.
shifting sand.
body weight over soft

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Nostrils can close
when needed to
protect the camel
in sandstorms.
How is a camel adapted?
Long eyelashes
protect the eyes
from sand and
dust.
A very varied diet,
ranging from grass
and bark to thorns
and bones, is eaten.
Ears are lined with
fur to prevent sand
and dust from
getting in.
Other adaptations that camels have evolved to cope
with conditions in the harsh desert environment are:

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Leaves are narrow spines
that reduce water loss and
protect from predators.
Stores water in fleshy stem.
How is a cactus adapted?
Thick, waxy surface
to reduce water loss.
How is a cactus adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate?
Plant surface area is
small compared to volume
to reduce water loss.
Some have shallow,
spreading roots for
surface water, others
have deep roots.

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A very varied diet
ranging from grass
and bark to thorns
and bones.
Nostrils can closed
when needed to
protect the camel
in sandstorms.
How is a kangaroo rat adapted?
Long tail for balance
when hopping.
Brown fur for camouflage
and only goes out at night
when it is much cooler.
A kangaroo rat is a mammal that lives in dry desert habitats.
How is this small animal adapted to this harsh environment?
Large back feet to escape
from predators allow it
to hop 2 metres at a time!
Most water comes from
its diet of seeds.
Does not sweat, or pant,
to reduce water loss.

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Adaptation
Contents
What is an adaptation?
Adaptations for a cold climate
Other adaptations
Adaptation activities
Adaptations for a dry climate

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How is this barracuda adapted to an aquatic environment?
Aquatic adaptations
Streamlined shape
to reduce friction
when moving
through water.
Gills have a large
surface area so that
oxygen can be
extracted from the
surrounding water.
Silver colouring
allows the fish
to be camouflaged.

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Unusual plant adaptations
Plants can live in acid or waterlogged soils where there is
little nitrate. Some plants have evolved a rather cunning
adaptation to obtain the nutrients they need.
Hairs on the slippery inside
of the plant are angled down
to ensure that the victim
cannot escape!
Pitcher plants have a large
hollow filled with fluid that
traps insects or other small
organisms that may fall in.
The plant digests its victims
to absorb the nitrates it needs!

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Adaptation
Contents
What is an adaptation?
Adaptations for a cold climate
Other adaptations
Adaptation activities
Adaptations for a dry climate

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True or false?

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Matching adaptations

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Multiple-choice quiz