Adaptations & Variations LT 5

Adaptations & Variations LT 5

Trisler

Multiple Choice

Many children resemble their parents in some way. The shape of their eyes or the natural color of their hair are examples of traits inherited from their parents. What controls traits in organisms?

• Genes on chromosomes in the nucleus

• Mitochondria in the cytoplasm

• Chromosomes in the eggs that are in the nucleus

• Cilia attached to the outside of the cell membrane

We will identify and explain how most favorable traits for survival would be passed onto future generation.

I will explain how most favorable traits for survival would be passed onto future generation.

Snakes and Legs

Before snakes slithered, they had limbs similar to those of lizards. To better adapt to their environment of small holes in the ground, they lost their legs. Without legs, snakes were able to fit into a tighter space in which they could hide from predators. The first species of snakes existed at a time when most reptiles didn't go above the ground for their prey, but burrowed around in search of food, so this adaptation was particularly helpful. Modern boas and pythons actually still have small stubs where their legs used to be millions of years ago.

Open Ended

How did the environment influence the snakes to no longer have legs? Explain your answer.

Giraffes And Long Necks

The evolution of the giraffe's long neck occurred so that the animal could reach leaves in taller trees. Giraffes have very long legs, but they do not bend their knees. In order to to drink from a pool of water, they require a long neck that can reach all the way down to the water.

Open Ended

Imagine: A disease kills all of the tall trees in the safari, and the only vegetation left is shorter bushes. What do you think will happen to the length of the giraffe's necks and legs in the next 25 generations?

Giraffes and Long Necks

• Over time and generations giraffes necks and legs will get shorter, because they will need to be able to feed on the shorter bushes.

• They will no longer need the adaptation of a long neck to survive because they will not need to reach the tall tress because there are none left.

Multiple Choice

Hurricane Andrew caused many animals in the Miami Zoo to become displaced. Two of the animals that lost their homes were the collared lemming which has thick white fur and sharp claws, and the other was a marsh rabbit that has thin brown fur and is a strong swimmer.

If both were thought to have sought refuge in a Florida forest, which one would have a better chance of survival and why?

• The marsh rabbit because its ability to swim helps it to scare away predators.

• The collared lemming because its sharp claws help it grip the ice when walking.

• The collared lemming because its thick, white fur helps it stay warm during the winter months.

• The marsh rabbit because its thin, brown fur helps it blend into its environment and stay cool.

Multiple Choice

Cacti can be found in many deserts because they are well adapted to survive there. The chart below list several of the cacti’s adaptation and how they help it to survive.

According to the chart above, which factor of the desert environment has the cactus adapted to survive?

• Extreme temperatures

• Lack of precipitation

• Plant eating insects

• Trunk rotting diseases

Multiple Choice

Animals that live in the frigid regions of the North or South Pole must adapt to special conditions. Some information about environmental conditions in polar regions is provided.

Which of these could be a helpful adaptation for an organism that lives in the North Pole?

• Ability to fly or run fast.

• Strong legs to jump high.

• Thick fur and layers of fat.

• Hard shell around the body.

Multiple Choice

Some animals are adapted to survive harsh conditions. These animals drink very little and don't sweat. These adaptations make them well suited to what sort of environmental change?

• A steady decrease in temperature

• Earthquakes that create new landforms

• A long period of time with no rain

• The arrival of a new species of predator

Multiple Choice

A drought is a long period of time with little rainfall. What kind of adaptation would most help a plant survive a drought?

• Storing water

• Growing quickly

• Producing seeds

• Attracting insects

Multiple Choice

Some animals have fur that is dark for part of the year and white for part of the year. This adaptation would be an advantage to animals that live in which kind of environment?

• Heavy rain for most of the year

• Seasons that include a snowy winter

• A very hot and dry climate

• Many forests with tall trees

Multiple Choice

Florida wildfires that burn down acres of trees can occur at any time of the year. This change to the environment would be most harmful to animals that depend on which behavior for survival?

• Sheltering below the ground in the dirt

• Flying to warmer temperatures in the winter

• Pollinating wildflower as a food source

• Hiding from predators high in the trees

Multiple Choice

Some plants live in environments, such as dense forest, where there is a lot of competition for sunlight. Plants that live here have to find ways to receive more sunlight. Which adaptation would best help plants survive in this environment?

• Bright colors to attract pollinators

• Deeper roots to absorb more nutrients

• Structures that allow them to climb up trees

Multiple Choice

Which of the following changes to the environment would most likely result in deer moving out of an area to a new habitat?

• A loss of the kinds of plants they eat

• Several winters with warmer temperatures

• Higher water levels in a nearby river

• A decrease in the number of predators

Multiple Choice

Animals that live in the frigid regions of the North or South Pole must adapt to special conditions. Which of these could be a helpful adaptation for an organism that lives in the North Pole?

• Ability to fly or run fast

• Large paws for hunting

• Thick fur and layers of fat

• Hard shell around the body

Multiple Choice

The white feathers of a snowy owl allow it to blend in with its environment during the winter months (snow). This is an example of ________________

• Species
• Environmental Change
• Adaptation
• Variation

Multiple Choice

The environment around Manchester, England, changed during the Industrial Revolution. How did this change affect peppered moths living in the area?

• Natural selection favored moths with dark wings because predators could not see them on the soot-colored trees.

• Natural selection favored moths with white wings that were easy for predators to see.

• Natural selection favored moths with white wings because predators could not see them on the soot-colored trees.

• Natural selection caused moths with white wings to become extinct.

Mice And Large Ears

Mice have very large ears as a result of evolutionary adaptation. Mice are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are primarily active at night, but they do not have night vision. Instead, they adapted to activity in the dark by developing incredible hearing capabilities.

Open Ended

EXIT TICKET:

Why do you think mice have had to develop large ears as an adaptation throughout the decades? (give a specific example that helps them to survive.)