Adaptations

• What must organisms do to survive?

  Adapt to their environment
• How does a polar bear adapt to cold environments?

  It has thick fur for insulation
• What adaptation helps owls see in the dark?

  Big eyes for better night vision
• What are the three groups of adaptations?

  • Structural adaptations
  • Behavioral adaptations
  • Functional adaptations
• What are structural adaptations?

  Physical features of an organism
• 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 camouflages them from predators
• What are behavioral adaptations?

  Ways organisms behave to survive
• How do elephants cool themselves in hot environments?

  By flapping their ears and spraying water
• Why do swallows migrate during winter?

  To avoid cold and lack of food
• What are functional adaptations?

  Processes occurring inside an organism
• How do desert animals conserve water?

  By producing little sweat and concentrated urine
• What do camels store in their humps?

  Fat that can be broken down for water
• How should you answer a question about an organism's adaptations?

  • Identify at least three adaptations
  • Provide explanations for each
  • Use visual information if available
• What is the diet of brown bears like?

  Extremely diverse and variable
• How can you infer brown bears' adaptations from their habitat?

  They likely have adaptations for cold environments
• What is a structural adaptation of brown bears for catching fish?

  Long sharp claws
• How do brown bears adapt to hunting deer?

  Strong muscles for bringing down prey
• What is hibernation in brown bears considered?

  A behavioral and functional adaptation
• How do brown bears prepare for hibernation?

  They overeat in summer to store energy
• What are extremophiles?

  • Microorganisms like bacteria and archaea
  • Adapted to extreme environments
  • Examples: hot springs, salt lakes, deep sea vents
• Where have bacteria been found by astronauts?

  On the outside of the International Space Station
• What environments can extremophiles live in?

  Extreme temperatures, salt concentrations, and pressures
• What is the significance of extremophiles?

  They show life can exist in extreme conditions