Adaptations and Biomes
Adaptations to an Environment
 Every organism has a variety of adaptations that are suited to its specific living conditions
 An adaptation is a trait that an organism has inherited that helps it survive and reproduce in
their habitat
 Ex. Sharks sense of smell, shape of a bird’s beak, dogs can hear well, flowers have bright
colors
 Physical adaptations do not develop during one lifetime, but over many generations
 Genes that help determine survival are passed from parent to offspring
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Adaptations Over Time
 Natural selection is the process by which individuals who are better adapted to their
environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than other members of the same
species.
 Charles Darwin- English scientist who proposed the theory of natural selection in 1859.
 Sailed on the Beagle to South America for research
 Studied tortoises, finches, lizards, and other animals on the islands.
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Animals of Galapagos Islands
 Finches- beaks are adapted for different feeding behaviors
 Ex: insects, seeds, fruit
 Iguanas- able to dive underwater to eat algae, sharp claws to cling to rocks, expel salt by
sneezing
 Tortoises- shell shape depends on island environment
 Finch Beaks
 Causes for Adaptations Among Species:
 Inheriting traits/variations that have advantages for survival or reproduction
 Overpopulation/competition
 Environment/Climate
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Variations are different ways that a trait can express itself
 Some variations make individuals better fit for survival from predators allowing them to
reproduce and pass the favorable trait to their offspring
 Ex. Variations among turtles make some of them better able to survive. Turtles that survive
to become adults will be able to reproduce.
 Natural Selection by Environment
 Variations can also allow organisms to become better adapted to survive in a particular
climate.
 Organisms expressing traits that allow them to survive & reproduce in a particular
environment will become the dominant life within the environment.
 Example of inherited traits for survival & reproduction
 Camouflage
 Snake
 Mimicry
 Mexican Milk Snake
 Bright colors/poisonous
 Skunk and Poison Arrow Frog
 “Hair” projections
 Hedgehog quills & Deer Antlers
 Courtship behaviors
 Male birds dance & have colors to attract mates
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Endangered/Extinctions
 Organisms that are not able to adapt to their environment could become endangered or
extinct.
 Threatened- could become endangered in near future
 Endangered- at risk of extinction
 Extinct- a species with no surviving members
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Reasons for Extinctions
 Pollution
 Overhunting
 Habitat loss
 Introduced species- compete with native species
 Diseases
 Climate change- global warming
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Biomes are Large geographic areas characterized by a distinct climate and specific types of plant
& animal life.
 Climate is the weather a place has over a long period of time (50 years).
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
 Biotic factors- parts of the environment that are living
 Examples: trees, grass, animals
 Abiotic factors- the nonliving environment
 Examples: rocks, soil, air, water
 Identify three biotic and three abiotic factors in this picture.
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Taiga/Boreal Forest Biomes: Winters are cold and very snowy & Summers are warm and rainy
enough to melt all the snow
 Dominant plants adapt with needle-shaped leaves to reduce water loss by having less
surface area
 Ex. evergreens
 Animal have adapted by camouflage, hibernating or migrating, & thick fur
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Rain Forest Biomes: Wet, warm biomes that contain the greatest variety of life on earth
 Plant & animal life adapts in a variety of ways
 Camouflage
 Poisonous
 Mimicry
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Desert Biomes: Receive less than 25 cm of rain per year.
 Hottest temperature on Earth
 The plants have many adaptations for getting and conserving water. (deep roots, needles)
 Some animals have adapted by being nocturnal, burrowing under ground, & being hairless
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Aquatic Biomes Adaptations
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Bio luminance, webbed feet, slim lined body, gills,