5.1 2 specific adaptations in plants and animals

Biology 1b Evolution and EnvironmentBiology 1b Evolution and EnvironmentGCSGCSEE

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5.1/2 Specific adaptations, 5.1/2 Specific adaptations, including predator-prey including predator-prey

relationshipsrelationships


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There are three major types of environment. What are they?

land freshwater marine

How do organisms survive in such different environments?

Different types of environment


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Learning objectivesKQ: How do specific animals and

plants adapt to their environment?

Know that• Animals and plants must be adapted Animals and plants must be adapted

to live in a variety of climates, to live in a variety of climates, including extreme environments.including extreme environments.

• There are general adaptations and There are general adaptations and specific adaptations.specific adaptations.

• Know the differences between Know the differences between predator and prey relationships.predator and prey relationships.


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What are a shark’s general adaptations to life in an aquatic environment?

Task 1: A shark’s general adaptations

streamlined shape to reduce friction when moving through water

gills have a large surface area so that oxygen can be extracted from the surrounding water

fins provide stability, power and control


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What are a shark’s specific adaptations to life as an aquatic predator?

Task 2: A shark’s specific adaptations

highly sensitive sense of smell that can detect drops of blood from miles away

lots of very sharp teeth that are constantly replaced

silver colouring underneath acts as camouflage

specialized sense organs can detect the sound, movement and electrical fields of other organisms


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True or false?

Task 3: Mini Plenary


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A predator is an animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.

A prey animal is one that is attacked and eaten by a predator.

Predators can be either:

Animals that eat other animals

carnivorous (eat meat only) e.g. wolves

omnivorous (eat meat and vegetation) e.g. humans.


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Predators are adapted to hunt, catch and eat prey.

Prey are adapted to avoid capture from predators.

How are predators and prey adapted?


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Task 4: Adaptations of predatorsWhat are common predator adaptations for hunting and killing?

Excellent vision – For spotting prey from far away. Many predators have binocular vision to accurately judge the distance of their prey.

High speed – For chasing after prey. Predators often stalk their prey using stealth and sometimes camouflage to get as close as possible without being detected.

Weapons – For killing prey. These are predominantly sharp teeth, claws and beaks, which enable the predator to hold their prey and tear their flesh.


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Task 5: Adaptations of prey

What are common prey adaptations for avoiding capture by predators?

Excellent vision – For spotting predators from far away. Many prey have a wide field of view to see predators approaching from all different directions.

High speed – For escaping from predators. Prey animals such as deer and antelopes often have a high stamina to keep running for longer than their predators.

Camouflage – For hiding from predators. For example, the stripes on a zebra break up their outline, stick insects look like twigs, some insects look like leaves.

Defence – For protection against attack. Examples include armour plating, horns and tusks.


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The snowshoe hare lives in northern parts of North America. How is it adapted to avoid predators such as lynxes?

Task 6: Adaptations of the snowshoe hare

greyish-brown fur turns white in winter for camouflage

large furry feet act as snow shoes and protect the soles from cold

large ears help in detecting predators

monocular vision with a wide field of view to see predators approaching


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How are lynxes adapted for catching snowshoe hares?

Task 7: Adaptations of the lynx

excellent binocular vision for judging distances

warm thick furry coat protects from the cold

extra large paws act as snow shoes

sharp teeth and claws for puncturing flesh

very strong hind leg muscles capable of pouncing 6.5 metres!


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Task 8: Using poisonPoison has evolved as an adaptation of predators and prey.

Organisms such as snakes, spiders and insects use poison to paralyze or kill prey.

Other organisms use poison as a defence. Certain tropical frogs have poisonous skin that can make predators very ill or even die.

They are often brightly coloured to deter predators from even trying to attack them.


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Task 9: Let’s pretendSome harmless organisms have become adapted to look like dangerous species. This is called mimicry.

For example, stingless hoverflies have black and yellow bands on their bodies that resemble those on wasps or bees.

This warns predators to stay away, even though the hoverflyis incapable of stinging.


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PredatorPredator BothBoth PreyPrey

camouflagecamouflage MimicryMimicry High speedHigh speed

Sharp Sharp teeth/clawsteeth/claws

Binocular Binocular visionvision

Wide field of Wide field of viewview

PoisonPoison

Task: Mini plenary

PredatorPredator BothBoth PreyPrey

Sharp Sharp teeth/clawsteeth/claws

High speedHigh speed Wide field of Wide field of viewview

Binocular Binocular visionvision

PoisonPoison MimicryMimicry

camouflagecamouflage


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How is a polar bear adapted to its extremely cold climate?

Task 10: How is a polar bear adapted?

white greasy fur repels water and acts as camouflage

thick fur and body fat insulate from the cold

large, wide feet spread the body’s weight and act as good paddles and snow shoes


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Other adaptations that polar bears have evolved to cope with conditions in the harsh polar environment include:

More specific polar bears adaptations

small ears and small body surface area to volume ratio reduces heat loss

eyes have brown irises to reduce the glare from the Sun’s reflection

black skin is a good absorber of heat


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How is a camel adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate?

Task 11: How is a camel adapted?

fat is stored in the hump to reduce overheating

little water is lost through sweating or urination

long, thin legs help to increase body surface area and increase heat loss

wide feet spread out body weight on shifting sand


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What other adaptations have camels evolved to cope with the harsh desert environment?

More camel adaptations

nostrils can be closed for protection during sandstorms

very varied diet, ranging from grass and bark to thorns and bones.

long eyelashes and furry ears prevent sand and dust from getting in


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Which adaptation?

Task: Mini plenary


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There are a few desert plants There are a few desert plants with broad leaves and hence a with broad leaves and hence a large SA. These leaves curl to large SA. These leaves curl to catch any dew in the cold catch any dew in the cold evenings, which is then evenings, which is then funnelled to their shallow funnelled to their shallow roots.roots. Other plants in dry Other plants in dry

environments have curled environments have curled leaves which reduces the leaves which reduces the surface area and traps a layer surface area and traps a layer of moist air around the leaf of moist air around the leaf which reduces the amount of which reduces the amount of water they lose by evaporation.water they lose by evaporation.


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Most plants that live in dry Most plants that live in dry environments have a reduced environments have a reduced surface area. surface area. Why?Why?

What other leaf characteristics What other leaf characteristics are good for desert living?are good for desert living?

Why do plants need water?Why do plants need water?

How do plants lose water from How do plants lose water from their leaves?their leaves?

Why do plants often reduce the Why do plants often reduce the SA of their leaves to help them SA of their leaves to help them prevent water loss?prevent water loss?


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Plant adaptations in the Desert• Plants like cacti have

adaptations such as very deep or wide root systems to collect as much water as possible.

• Plants that live in dry areas also need adaptations to reduce the amount of water they lose

• They lose water through tiny holes (stomata) in their leaves when they make food by photosynthesis.

• On your diagram illustrate with words how plants are adapted to different environments


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How is a cactus adapted to life in a very hot, dry climate?

Task 12: How is a cactus adapted?

water stored in a fleshy stem, and a thick, waxy surface reduces water loss

leaves are narrow spines to reduce water loss and protect from predators

roots are either very deep, or shallow and widespread to catch surface water


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What do flowers do?Flowers enable plants to reproduce sexually. For this to happen, pollen from one flower must be carried to another flower – either on the same plant or on a different plant. This is called pollination.

In what ways can pollination take place?

Pollen is carried by insects from one flower to another.

Pollen is blown by wind from one flower to another.


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I know that plants must be adapted to allow for their seeds to disperse and germinate away I know that plants must be adapted to allow for their seeds to disperse and germinate away from the parent plantfrom the parent plant


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Task 13: Adaptations for insect pollinationHow are flowers adapted for pollination by insects such as bees and butterflies?

colourful, scented petals attract insects

large, sticky pollen grains become attached to the insect’s body

nectar, a source of food for insects, is deep within the flower

stiff anthers and stigmas are positioned where insects must brush past them


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Task 14: Adaptations for wind pollinationHow are flowers adapted for pollination by the wind?

small, dull-coloured petals

anthers hang loosely outside flower so wind can blow pollen

huge numbers of light, tiny pollen grains

long, feathery stigma hanging outside flower so pollen can be trapped


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Plants can live in acid or waterlogged soils where there is little nitrate. Some plants have evolved a rather cunning adaptation to obtain the nutrients they need.

Hairs on the slippery inside of the plant are angled down to ensure that the victim cannot escape!

Pitcher plants have a large hollow filled with fluid that traps insects or other small organisms that may fall in.

The plant digests its victims to absorb the nitrates it needs!

Unusual plant adaptations


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Which organism?

Task: Mini Plenary


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Multiple-choice quiz

Task: Mini Plenary


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1.1.Where might small plants Where might small plants find it difficult to receive find it difficult to receive enough light?enough light?

2.2.State 3 ways a plant might State 3 ways a plant might conserve water.conserve water.

3.3.How do animals know not to How do animals know not to eat certain plants?eat certain plants?

5.1 2 specific adaptations in plants and animals

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