Adaptations

• What must an organism do to survive in its environment?


  It must be adapted to its environment.
• What are the three groups of adaptations scientists categorize?


  Structural, behavioral, and functional adaptations.
• What are structural adaptations?


  • Physical features of an organism
  • Examples include shape and color
  • Help organisms survive in their environment
• Why do seals and walruses have a rounded shape?


  To conserve body heat in cold environments.
• How does the color of seals and walruses help them?


  It helps camouflage them from predators.
• What are behavioral adaptations?


  • Ways an organism behaves or acts
  • Examples include cooling behaviors in hot environments
  • Help organisms survive by adapting their actions
• How do elephants cool themselves in hot environments?


  By flapping their ears and spraying themselves with water.
• Why do some birds migrate during winter?


  To avoid cold and lack of food in their summer homes.
• What are functional adaptations?


  • Relate to internal processes in an organism
  • Examples include metabolism and reproductive systems
  • Often harder to notice than structural or behavioral adaptations
• How do many desert animals conserve water?


  By producing very little sweat and concentrated urine.
• What do camels do to conserve water?


  They accumulate fat in their humps to break down later for water.
• How would you describe the adaptations of brown bears?


  • Thick fur for cold environments (structural)
  • Diverse diet for survival (behavioral)
  • Sharp claws for catching fish (structural)
  • Hibernation to conserve energy (behavioral and functional)
• What does the Latin name of an organism help determine?


  It provides information about the organism's classification.
• What is the significance of the brown bear's diverse diet?


  It allows the bear to adapt to various food sources.
• How do bears adapt to catch prey like deer?


  By having strong muscles and sharp claws.
• What is hibernation in bears considered?


  Both a behavioral and functional adaptation.
• What are extremophiles?


  • Microorganisms like bacteria and archaea
  • Adapted to live in extreme environments
  • Examples include high temperatures, high salt concentrations, and high pressures
• Where can extremophiles be found?


  In extreme environments like hot springs and deep-sea vents.
• What discovery was made about bacteria in 2017?


  Bacteria were found on the outside of the International Space Station.
• What is the purpose of understanding adaptations in organisms?


  To identify them in various scenarios.