Evolutionary Adaptations Notes

Types of Adaptations
 Anything that ________________ an organism survive in its environment. Adaptations are _________________
from their ________________________.

 It also refers to the ability of living things to ________________ to different conditions within their
___________________________________.

o Structural adaptation

o Behavioural adaptations

o Physiological adaptations

________________________ Adaptations - involves some part of an organism's _____________.

o Teeth - The shape of an animal’s teeth is related to its __________. Herbivores, such as deer, have many
_______________ for chewing tough grass and plants. Carnivores, such as ____________, have sharp
canines to ____________ and _____________meat.

o Body coverings include: Shells, Quills, Scales

 Camouflage - allows an animal to ______________into its environment. Makes it hard for
enemies to single out _______________________.

 Mimicry - allows one animal to look, _________________, or act like another animal to
____________ predators into thinking it is poisonous or _________________________.

Plant Adaptations

 Vascular-stems, ____________ systems, Thorns, Leave type

o Broad: absorb more __________________, Small needle-like: reduce water ____________,
Waxy: _______________ water loss, protect from ___________, Poisonous/toxins
_____________________ adaptations- include __________________ or behaviors that help an animal survive.

 Innate - Inherited through the _______________. Examples: Flying for bees, birds. Swimming for fish. Walking
for humans. Speaking for humans
 Learned - Learned from ____________________ or from ___________________ other animals.
Examples: Type of language spoken for humans. Riding a bicycle.
 Survival - Finding food
o Predator-Prey adaptations (Predator- eat other animals/ Prey-animal being eaten)
o Marking Territory - Way that animals ________________ other animals that an area is occupied
o Defensive Action - _______________ resources, themselves, food, mates, ________________.
o Courtship -Behaviors used to find a _____________.
o Parenting - Depend on __________________ for survival

 Seasonal - Help organisms adapt to the environment

o Migration - Adaptation that involves an animal or group of animals _________________ from
one region to another and then __________ again. Animals migrate for different reasons
including: better climate, better _____________, a ____________ place to live, safe place to
raise _______________, go back to the place they were ________________.
 o Hibernation - Period of _________________ in which animal’s body temperature, heart ___________,
and _______________ rate slow down to conserve ___________. Example: Bats, woodchucks & bears.
o Estivation - Period of inactivity in the _____________ in hot, dry places.

Examples: Snakes, lizards, frogs, toads

o Biological Clock - ___________________ control of animal’s natural cycle

Physiological Adaptations - Behaviors controlled by the brain. Examples: Reflexes, Blinking, Pain, Swallowing, Tolerance
to a certain poison, Logical thinking

o Mammals - warm-blooded, all have some type of “______________”, some are very specialized - such
as white polar bear fur, care for ______________.

o Birds - ___________ Length, Foot ________________, Beak ____________

o Reptiles - cold- blooded, Scales, ____________ undergo hibernation and estivation, Lay ___________ on
land, Leg structure and position

o Amphibians - Cold-blooded, Lay eggs in _______________, Partially or fully webbed feet, Have lungs or
can absorb oxygen through their _____________.

Natural Selection
 The process by which ____________________ are better adapted
to their environment
 “Survival of the Fittest” - The fittest ______________ to pass on
their _______________ to the next generation.
o Examples: Insecticide resistance, Speciation, Galapagos
finches
Genetics: what is it?

 “Genetics is the study of _________________, the process in

which a parent passes certain _______________ onto their
children.”
 Children ______________ their biological parents’ genes
that express specific ______________, such as some _________________ characteristics, natural
________________, and genetic _____________________.
 _____________________ describes how some traits are _______________ from parents to their children.

 The traits are expressed by _____________, which are small sections of ______ that are coded for specific traits.

 Genes are found on _____________________.

 Humans have two sets of __________ chromosomes—one set from each parent.

 Genetic Variation - Differences that exist _________________ among the members of a _______________.
Some traits are __________________ suited than others to ____________________ in their environment.
 Evolutionary Adaptations Notes
Types of Adaptations
 Anything that helps an organism survive in its environment. Adaptations are inherited from their parents

 It also refers to the ability of living things to adjust to different conditions within their environments.

o Structural adaptation

o Behavioral adaptations

o Physiological adaptations

Structural Adaptations

 A structural adaptation involves some part of an organism's body.

o Teeth - The shape of an animal’s teeth is related to its diet. Herbivores, such as deer, have many molars
for chewing tough grass and plants. Carnivores, such as lions, have sharp canines to kill and tear meat.

o Body coverings include: Shells, Quills, Scales

 Camouflage - allows an animal to blend into its environment. Makes it hard for enemies to
single out individuals

 Mimicry - allows one animal to look, sound, or act like another animal to fool predators into
thinking it is poisonous or dangerous.

Plant Adaptations

 Vascular-stems, Root systems, Thorns, Leave type

o Broad: absorb more sunlight, Small needle-like: reduce water loss, Waxy: reduce water loss, protect
from fire, Poisonous/toxins
Behavioral adaptations- include activities or behaviors that help an animal survive.

 Innate - Inherited through the genes. Examples: Flying for bees, birds. Swimming for fish. Walking for humans.
Speaking for humans
 Learned - Learned from experience or from observing other animals. Examples: Type of language spoken for
humans. Riding a bicycle.
 Survival - Finding food
o Predator-Prey adaptations (Predator- eat other animals/ Prey-animal being eaten)
o Marking Territory - Way that animals inform other animals that an area is occupied
o Defensive Action - Protect resources, themselves, food, mates, offspring
o Courtship -Behaviors used to find a mate
o Parenting - Depend on parents for survival

 Seasonal - Help organisms adapt to the environment

o Migration - Adaptation that involves an animal or group of animals moving from one region to
another and then back again. Animals migrate for different reasons including: better climate,
better food, a safe place to live, safe place to raise young, go back to the place they were born.
o Hibernation - Period of inactivity in which animal’s body temp., heart rate, and breathing rate slow
down to conserve energy. Example: Bats, woodchucks & bears.
 o Estivation - Period of inactivity in the summer in hot, dry places. Examples: Snakes, lizards, frogs, toads

o Biological Clock - Internal control of animal’s natural cycle

Physiological Adaptations - Behaviors controlled by the brain. Examples: Reflexes, Blinking, Pain, Swallowing, Tolerance
to a certain poison, Logical thinking

o Mammals - warm-blooded, all have some type of “hair”, some are very specialized - such as white
polar bear fur, care for young

o Birds - Leg Length, Foot Webbing, Beak Shape

o Reptiles - cold- blooded, Scales, Some undergo hibernation and estivation, Lay eggs on land, Leg
structure and position

o Amphibians - Cold-blooded, Lay eggs in water, Partially of fully webbed feet, Have lungs or can absorb
oxygen through their skin

Natural Selection

 The process by which individuals are better adapted to their

environment

 “Survival of the Fittest” - The fittest survive to pass on their traits

to the next generation.

o Examples: Insecticide resistance, Speciation, Galapagos

finches

Genetics: what is it?

 “Genetics is the study of heredity, the process in which a

parent passes certain genes onto their children.”
 Children inherit their biological parents’ genes that express
specific traits, such as some physical characteristics, natural
talents, and genetic disorders.
 Heredity describes how some traits are passed from parents to their children.

 The traits are expressed by genes, which are small sections of DNA that are coded for specific traits.

 Genes are found on chromosomes.

 Humans have two sets of 23 chromosomes—one set from each parent.

 Genetic Variation - Differences that exist naturally among the members of a species. Some traits are better
suited than others to survive in their environment.