Unit 3 Biological Adaptation Unity and Diversity First

Unit 3 – Biological Adaptation: Unity and Diversity First, a quick review of some genetics vocabulary.

TRAIT A genetically determined characteristic or condition Ex. The color of a cat’s fur

MUTATION A permanent change in an organism’s DNA

Adapting to the Environment Adaptation - body part, feature, or behavior that helps a living thing survive and function better in its environment Environmental Adaptations

Behavioral Adaptations Can individual organisms adapt behaviorally? If so, what can cause these changes? �Yes! A Behavioral Adaptation is something an animal does - how it acts - usually in response to some type of external stimulus. ◦ Whales migrate to follow the food supply. ◦ Bears hibernate when food sources are depleted (less) each winter.

Adaptations

Katydid False Eyes This insect has two false eyes that act to scare away predators. As a predator is approaching, the katydid opens its wings to reveal the eyes. The predator may believe that is the eyes of one of its own predators and will avoid them. 2013 Science Teacher Pro

Flatfish can flatten their bodies and lay on the bottom of the sea floor waiting to snatch at passing prey. Some species can even rotate their other eye so that both are looking up! 2013 Science Teacher Pro

Butterfly Fish Butterfly fish have a false eye on both sides of its body. This feature serves two purposes. 1. To make predators think that it is a larger fish with such a large eye. 2. The false eye is located on the very back of the prey. If it is attacked it may get away if the predator attacks what it thinks is the head. Also notice that it’s real eyes are concealed by a black stripe down its face. Eye Stripe False Eye 2013 Science Teacher Pro

Iguana Can you see him? Many of its prey can not. This lizard uses camouflage to blend into the surroundings while hunting his prey. 2013 Science Teacher Pro

Kill Deer Eggs Kill Deer lay their eggs directly on gravel and their eggs look like gravel as a type of camouflage. There is another important adaptation. If anything gets close to the young the mother will appear injured by dragging their wing across the ground and limping. Predators will think it’s injured and follow it but the bird stays just one limping step in front of them…the entire time they are leading the predator AWAY from their young. Once they are far enough away the faking bird will fly away. 2013 Science Teacher Pro

Leaf Insect Small insects like this one are often a favorite food for many animals. This insect protects itself by mimicking a green leaf. You can even see the fake leave veins on its body. This insect eats other smaller insects but the disguise is strictly defensive…protecting it from predators. 2013 Science Teacher Pro

Variation A different or distinct form of something Ex. Fruit flies can have red, white, or Brown eyes.

Fitness - an organism’s ability to survive and produce offspring. Traits that support successful survival and reproduction in a new environment become _________ , while those that don’t become ________.

Plants and animals adapt and change as they respond to their surroundings. What is are environmental pressures? The external surroundings in which a plant or animal lives which can influence its development and behavior. 1. What environmental pressures would cause an organism to adapt or change? Drought, deforestation, temperature change, flood, volcanic eruption, etc. Other examples? 2. Can environmental pressures favor one trait in a species over another? ◦ Yes, amount of fur vs beak size for temperature change. ◦ Other examples? 3. How could that effect a species over time? ◦ Fur may become thicker with colder weather. ◦ Other examples?

Artificial Selection vs Natural Selection Video

Natural Selection Organisms with favorable traits (that help them survive and reproduce) pass those traits to offspring. ◦ One trait replacing a less successful one can take many generations. ◦ Poorly suited characteristics may disappear in the same way.

Causes of Natural Selection �Overproduction of offspring �Passage of time �Variation in a population �Selection of favorable traits �Heritability of traits

Overproduction of Offspring �Competition then takes place for the resources available, which is limited

Passage of Time �Environments change over time and those organisms that have adaptations that are better suited to survive and reproduce will continue to increase in number while those who don’t will decrease

Variation in Population Organisms in a species have a wide variety of traits, some are better suited to survival than others.

Selection of Favorable Traits

Heritability of Traits �Traits that are inherited with little or no change from environmental factors.

Artificial Selection The breeding of plants and animals to produce desirable traits. Organisms with the desired traits, such as size or taste, are artificially mated or cross-pollinated with organisms with similar desired traits. Types of Artificial Selection �Genetic modification �Selective breeding �Gene therapy

Genetic Modification = Genetic Engineering Humans directly manipulating an organism’s DNA to get a certain trait. Can also be known as (GMOs) Examples:

Selective Breeding

Gene Therapy Successes • • • Immune deficiencies Hereditary blindness Hemophilia Blood disease Fat metabolism disorder Cancers