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PPT  NATURAL SELECTION & ADAPTATIONS
Natural Selection: The process by which individuals that are __________________ ___________________ to their
environment are __________________ __________________ to survive and reproduce than others of the same species.
Which means, those organisms that do not have desired traits, will ____________ and are unable to pass on their
___________________ genetic traits to offspring.
Natural Selection Context: Biological _______________ that are more common and allow a species to survive, are
natural ______________________ that are ____________________________ to the species.
Definitions:
____________________________: a particular structure or behavior that helps an organism survive better in its habitat.
____________________________: the gradual change in a species over time.
____________________________: a permanent change in the DNA of a living organism.
Where are the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands lie ___________ hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. They are one of the
worlds __________________ ________________________ __________________ areas in the world.
What’s so unique about the Galapagos Islands?
Because of their ______________________________________________________________ – they are 1000 kilometers
from the coast – the islands have ______________________ their own distinct plant and animal populations.
Thought Questions:
1. Which traits are ADVANTAGEOUS to the marine iguana?
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2. Which traits help the iguanas on the rocks?
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3. Which traits help the iguanas in the water?
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4. Describe the specific adaptation of the island finches and how it determines their niche.
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5. How did the tortoises on the different islands evolve to have different shaped shells?
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Galapagos Island Vegetation: Mangrove Trees live in the Wet Coastal Zone. These ______________ - _____________
trees and shrubs thrive in shallow and muddy saltwater or brackish waters.
_________________ in mangrove areas tend to be fairly ____________________________________________________,
preventing many types of plants from taking root. Mangroves have _________________ to this condition by evolving
shallow root systems rather than deep taproots.
Thought Questions:
6. How do the Mangrove roots help with the stability of the tree?
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7. How do the mangrove roots help with the absorption of nutrients?
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Arid Lowlands Zone
It is a semi-desert forest __________________ by deciduous trees and shrubs. The plants have _____________________
to withstand drought. ___________________ are abundant in this zone because they are tolerant of dry conditions and are
capable of absorbing moisture from the occasional mist. At a higher island elevation, an ____________ _______________
like zone occurs. This region is home to the many ____________________ that live in the Galapagos including the Prickly
Pear Cactus.
Thought Questions:
8. What adaptations do cactus have to help them grow and survive in arid environments?
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9. Why are cactus a good food source for desert animals?
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