What’s an adaptation?• A structure or behavior that helps an

organism survive in its environment.

Duck’s webbed feet

Monkey’s opposable

thumb

Snake’s hinged jaw

Fish swim in schools

Dogs chase away

strangers

Birds fly south for

winter

You shiver when cold

Wolf grows thick coat in

winter

Cats’ fur stands on end when threatened

STRUCTURAL ADAPTATION

BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATION

PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION

PART CHOICE AUTOMATICp 21

Adaptations

Can you tell the difference between the 3 types?

Structural, Behavioral, Physiological

Example: fish swim in schools (protection)

Example: bird calls (attract mates, defense)

Example: squirrels bury nuts (resource for winter)

Which type of adaptation?

Structural - Behavioral - Physiological

swimming in schools calls or

howls or cries

burying food for winter

Adaptation Definition Example

Structural

Behavioral

Physiological

- action done on purpose to help with survival - by choice

squirrels bury nuts (resource

for winter)

p 23

QUILLS on a porcupine (defense)

prehensile tail on a spider monkey

(for climbing)

thick fur on an arctic fox (for warmth)

QUILLS TAIL

FUR

Which type of adaptation?

Behavioral - Structural - Physiological

Adaptation Definition Example

Structural

Behavioral

Physiological

- physical feature that helps an organism survive - body part

- action done on purpose to help with survival - by choice

prehensile tail on a spider monkey

(for climbing)

squirrels bury nuts (resource

for winter)

p 23

Example: shedding

winter coat (stay cool in hot weather)

Example: sweating (stay cool)

Example: adrenaline is pumped into the bloodstream

when you get scared or surprised

(heart speeds up – you’re ready to run)

normal pupil pupil in low light

Example: your pupils automatically dilate (get bigger) in

dark places, to let in more light

Which type of adaptation?

Behavioral - Structural - Physiological

shedding fur in summer

sweating to cool you

adrenaline for speedy

escape

pupils change size to match the

light

Adaptation Definition Example

Structural

Behavioral

Physiological

- physical feature that helps an organism survive - body part

- action done on purpose to help with survival - by choice

- involuntary action or change- cell activity- automatic

prehensile tail on a spider monkey

(for climbing)

squirrels bury nuts (resource

for winter)

sweating to keep you

cool

p 23