·
Do you guys still remember Animal Adaptions in I/GCSE Biology?
Staying warm
- In I/GCSE Biology, To survive and grow need to adapt to environment (temp/water)
- COLD = animals need to reduce head loss. Thick fur insulates from cold air
- Extra fat gives increase insulation and gives animal energy when food is scarce
- Summer = animals moult/shed fur – easier to lose heat
- Seals – thick layer of fat – heat loss in water
Keeping cool and avoiding thirst
- Little water + hot at day, cold at night
- Small animals – live in burrows (temperature more constant) don’t need to drink water (get from food)
- In I/GCSE Biology, Kidneys excrete urine – very little water
- Large animals e.g. camels tolerate high levels of dehydration
Body size and shape rules
- In I/GCSE Biology, Birds + mammals of similar species = larger + heavier in colder climates
- There’s a correlation between body mass and average annual temperature
- Temperature of larger animal will drop less rapidly
- Limbs, tails and ears are longer in warmer climates – act as heat-radiating organs
Large animal = large surface area BUT small surface area to volume ratio
Keeping others away
- For organism to grow, mature, produce offspring = avoid being eaten by other microorganisms
- In I/GCSE Biology, Special adaptations – avoid being eaten
- Physical deterrents e.g. cacti = thick spines
- Chemical deterrents e.g. ragwort (plant) = poisons (taste bad or kill)
- Advertise poisons with bright colours
- Camouflage – hide from predators (colours + patterns on body = difficult to see)
Competing for resources
- In I/GCSE Biology, Enough resources for all organisms = rare
- Limited resources = organisms compete – most successful = grow better + more offspring produced
- Plants compete for = water, light, nutrients (if grown close together)
- Bluebells = grow, flower + seed before tree fully grown (no sun blocked)
- Animals – compete for food
- Leopards – takes kill to trees (keeps other animals away from stealing their food)
- Animals – compete for mates
- Male peacocks display feathers when females around – best display = mate with the most females
- Birds = territories when breeding
- Robins = large territory to feed young
- Birds away from nest site e.g. penguins / gannets = small nesting territory (out of pecking distance of other adults)
That's all~
