4.3.8 adaptation
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adaptation
characteristic which enhances survival in habitat
anatomical adaptations
(anatomy) structural features
behavioural adaptations
ways that behaviour is modified for survival
physiological adaptations
(physiology) affect the way that processes work
what will a well-adapted organism be able to do
• find enough food/photosynthesise well • find enough water • gather enough nutrients • defend itself from predators & diseases • survive physical conditions of environment eg. change in temp, light & water availability • respond to changes in environment • have sufficient energy to allow successful reproduction
name 3 types of adaptations
• behavioural • anatomical • physiological
example of an adapted plant species
marram grass - xerophyte - lives on sand dunes with little water availability - adapted to take as much water up as possible & lose as little as possible
(anatomical) how is long roots an adaptation
enables plant to reach water deep underground
(anatomical) how is widespread roots an adaptation
• enables marram grass to absorb lots of water when it’s available • stabilises sand dune where plant lives
(anatomical) how is curled leaves an adaptation
• reduces SA exposed to wind • traps air inside (against lower epidermis) so moisture can build up
(anatomical) how is hairs covering lower epidermis an adaptation
reduces air movement so water vapour retained close to lower epidermis
(anatomical) how is folded lower epidermis (creating pits for stomata) an adaptation
water vapour builds up in pits = reduces loss of water vapour
(anatomical) how is low density of stomata an adaptation
fewer stomata = less water vapour lost
(anatomical) how is leaves covered in waxy cuticle an adaptation
reduces evaporation from cells of leaf
behavioural adaptation of earthworm
if touched, it will contract & return to burrow quickly as it has no eyes so cannot see predators (eg. birds) = avoids it being eaten
behavioural adaptations of marram grass
• responds to shortage of water by rolling leaf more tightly & closing stomata = reduces transpiration • if buried by sand, it will grow quicker to reach sunlight
physiological adaptations of marram grass
• roll its leaf due to hinge cells in lower epidermis where they lose turgidity if water is scarce so roll more tightly • guard cells open/close stomata –> non-turgid cells close stomata • as not very salt tolerant, it maintains cell water potential lower than other plants so can survive in salty conditions • leaves contain many lignified cells providing support if flaccid/turgidity lost = keeps leaf upright
example of convergent evolution between marsupial moles & placental mole
share similar characteristics eg: - cylindrical body - small eyes - strong front legs - large claws on front legs - short fur - short tail - nose with tough skin (protection)