Adaptations

• What are the three types of adaptations organisms can have to live in their environment?

  • Structural adaptations
  • Behavioral adaptations
  • Functional adaptations
• What is meant by an extremophile?

  Organisms adapted to live in extreme conditions
• How do camels adapt to hot and dry desert conditions?

  • Have a hump for fat storage
  • Thick coat for insulation
  • Leathery mouth for eating thorny plants
  • Long eyelashes and nostrils to keep dust out
  • Wide feet to prevent sinking in sand
• What is one structural adaptation of camels that helps reduce water loss?

  Thick coat on the upper surface of their body
• How do camels produce water from their fat?

  By metabolizing fat to produce water
• What is a behavioral adaptation of the kangaroo rat?

  They are nocturnal and active at night
• What are some structural adaptations of the arctic fox?

  • Thick fur for insulation
  • Fur on the soles of feet to reduce heat loss
  • Small ears to minimize surface area and heat loss
  • Camouflaged coat for hunting
• How do cacti adapt to dry conditions?

  By having small leaves or spines, shallow roots, and water storage in stems
• What are the adaptations of cacti to prevent water loss?

  • Very small leaves or no leaves (only spines)
  • Extensive and shallow roots
  • Ability to store water in their stem
• What types of conditions can extremophiles survive in?

  High temperatures, high pressures, and high salt concentrations