Adaptations
Adaptations
Adaptations help an organism cope in its
environment
There are 3 forms of adaptations:
1. Structural Adaptations
- Physical features (eg, claws for digging)
2. Physiological (or Functional)
Adaptations
- A bodily function (eg, sweating)
3. Behavioural Adaptations
- A behaviour (eg, staying in a burrow)
Examples
of
Adaptatio
ns
Structural
• A hooked beak allows
birds of prey to tear
up the flesh of
animals or fish that
they catch
• A thick layer of
blubber in whales
insulates them so
they can live in the
cold waters of the
oceans
Examples of
Adaptations
Physiological (Functional)
• Animals that produce venom or
toxins
• A well developed immune system
• Maintaining a stable internal body
temperature
Examples of
Adaptations
Behavioural
• Birds that migrate/fly
south in the winter
• Hibernation in winter
or being nocturnal
• Living in large groups
• Some animals are
Animal Defences brightly coloured to
Structural warn they are toxic.
• Camouflage may be
used to hide
themselves.
• Mimicry is when an
animals looks like
another species.
• Echidnas have spines
to warn and avoid
predators.
Animal
Defences
Physiological
• Ability to produce
poisons e.g. snakes,
fish, jellyfish, molluscs
etc
• Ability to change
colour to camouflage
in an environment
• Production of ink to
confuse predators
Animal • Some animals eject fluids e.g. ink or
mucus to deter predators
Defences- • Some change posture or puff up to
make themselves look bigger
Behavioural • Living in groups or being nocturnal
can also help evade predation
Adaptations Task
You may work individually or in groups of 2-3 students
You will be provided with an A3 sheet of paper.
Select 5 different marine organisms. Ensure that you have included a
mix of vertebrates and invertebrates.
For each organism, identify at least one structural, physiological and
behavioural adaptation that enables their survival within a marine
environment
In addition, identify how each organism protects itself against
predation (defence mechanisms)
Present your information in a table or other suitable format on the
A3 sheet provided. You may choose to include an image of each of
your chosen organisms
Reference sources in a separate Word document
