Describe what you can see in these images:
Learning objectives
1. Know how to identify special adaptive features
of animals and plants. (Grade D)
2. Understand how adaptations allow animals and
plants to survive in different environments.
(Grade C/B)
3. Explain the adaptations of microorganisms for
different environments. (Grade A)
Keywords
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Adaptation
Arid
Methanogenic bacterium
Autotroph
Extremophiles
Competition
Predator
Biological indicator
Label the adaptations of the polar bear and
explain how they help with survival:
What do the following compete for?
Animals:
Plants:
Name three adaptations of prey that deter
predators.
Bacteria can be adapted to survive
in extreme conditions. Explain how
How can human activity affect the
distribution of organisms?
What is an extremophile?
Explain how climate change may lead to
a short-haired arctic fox being more
likely to survive than a long haired one.
Name the two pieces of equipment and state
what they measure
How is the cactus adapted to survive in
the desert?
How can the following living
organisms be used as pollution
indicators?
Lichens
Aquatic invertebrates
Label the adaptations of the fennec
(desert fox) and explain how they help
with survival:
What is a pollution indicator?
.
How are desert animals
adapted to cope with very
cold nights?
Many factors can cause environmental change. Give an example of
A living factor
A non-living factor
Label the adaptations of the polar bear and
explain how they help with survival:
•Small surface area to volume ratio –
minimizes heat loss
•Small ears / nose
•Thick fur – insulation
•Thick layer of body fat – insulation
•Waterproof fur – reduce heat loss from
evaporation when wet
•White - camouflage
Name three adaptations of prey that deter
predators.
Thorns / poisons / warning colours
Bacteria can be adapted to survive
in extreme conditions. Explain how
Tolerate: High salt concentration
High temperature
High pressure
How can the following living
organisms be used as pollution
indicators?
Lichens Monitor air pollution: higher
population = better quality air (less
SO2)
Aquatic invertebrates monitor
water pollution – concentration of
dissolved oxygen: ceratin species
can tolerate very low O2
What is an extremophile?
A microorganism that is
adapted to live in extreme
conditions.
What do the following compete for?
Animals: food, mates, territory
Plants: light, space, water and nutrients
from soil
How can human activity affect the
distribution of organisms?
•Destroy an animal’s food source or
habitat – building, chemicals, farming
•Introduction of new competing species
•Global warming
Name the three pieces of equipment and state
what they measure
maximum-minimum thermometer – temperature
Rainfall gauge – rainfall in set time period
What is a pollution indicator?
Living organism that shows the level of pollution
in an area through changes in it’s distribution or
abundance.
How are desert animals
adapted to cope with very
cold nights? Burrows insulation
Label the adaptations of the fennec
(desert fox) and explain how they help
with survival:
•large surface area to volume ratio –
increases heat loss
•Large ears - more heat loss
•thin fur – increase heat loss
•Sandy colour - camouflage
Explain how climate change may lead to
a short-haired arctic fox being more
likely to survive than a long hairde one.
Temperature is increasing
Short haired fox able to lose heat
better so less likely to overheat
Short haired fox more likely to survive
and pass genes on
How is the cactus adapted to survive in
the desert?
•roots widespread– collect water from a
large area
•Roots deep – collect water because
surface likely to dry out quickly
•No leaves – reduce surface area from
which water can be lost
•Stem able to swell – store water
Many factors can cause environmental change. Give an example of
A living factor New competitor eg grey squirrel
A non-living factor Change in temperature or rainfall
Investigation – Preying on pasta
Adaptations - Test
1. What is meant by the word "population"?
A) All the members of a single species that live in
a habitat
B) The increase in the number of offspring
produced by a species
C) The idea that animals spread out when they are
released into the wild
2. Which of the following do plants not
compete for?
A. Water
B. Space
C. Food
3.Why are polar bears white?
A) To camouflage them so their predators cannot
see them
B) To camouflage them so their prey cannot see
them
C) So that they absorb heat from the sun easily
4. Why do animals in hot climates have
larger ears than similar animals in cold
climates?
A) It is more difficult to hear in hot air, so bigger
ears are needed
B) Big ears lose heat quickly, while small ears lose
heat slowly
C) Big ears are useful for creating a breeze when
they are flapped quickly
5. Why do wasps and bees have black and
yellow stripes?
A) To warn other animals that wasps and bees are
dangerous
B) To attractive to birds and other predators
C) To make them look like harmless hoverflies, so
they can sneak up on their prey
6. Plants compete with each other for:
A) Light, mates and food
B) Light, water and food
C) Light, water and nutrients
7. Organisms that are tolerant to high levels
of salt, high temperatures or high
pressures are called:
• extremophiles
• extremophobes
• extremocytes