S3-U3L5 - How Can We Model A Physical Adaptation?

S3-U3L5 - How Can We Model A Physical Adaptation?

Virtual Laboratory

The birds on this opening screen

Clockwise from top left: hummingbird, toucan, mallard duck, and pelican. The bald eagle is in the center.

What are some other ways that animals protect themselves?

• There are many other defense adaptations.

• For example, when some lizards meet a possible predator, their tail drops off and moves around on the ground. Often this distracts the predator while the lizard runs away.

• Another example is an octopus squirting a cloud of ink in the water, which helps hide the octopus so it can swim away.

Open Ended

Can you think of other animals and how they protect themselves?

How can color protect an animal against its predators?

If an animal is the same colors as its environment, it can blend in and avoid being seen by its predators.

Two Madagascar Nightjars

Parson's chameleon is one of the world's largest chameleon species

Do plants protect themselves?

• Yes, some plants protect themselves. 

• Many plants have spines and thorns that protect them from being eaten.

• For example, the stinging nettle is covered with small hairs that contain a substance that irritates the skin of many mammals.

The stinging nettle

What are adaptations?

• Adaptations are features of living things that help them survive in their habitats.

Multiple Choice

How does the fur of the polar bear help it survive in its habitat?

• The polar bear is huge

• the fur is white

• keeps the bear warm and survive the cold

How do adaptations help living things survive?

• Adaptations help living things survive in many ways.

• For example, different adaptations can help living things protect themselves,

• hide from predators,

• find and eat food,

• stay warm in cold habitats,

• lose heat in hot environments, reproduce, and do many other things.

What is an example of a physical adaptation? What is an example of a different kind of adaptation?

A physical adaptation is an adaptation that is part of the living thing. The spines of the hedgehog and the fur of the polar bear are examples of physical adaptations.

A different kind of adaptation is an adaptation of behavior. A hedgehog rolling into a ball is an example of an adaptation of behavior.

How can a computer model help you understand adaptations?

A computer model can be designed to imitate how an adaptation works in nature. By using a computer model, you can learn how the adaptation works.

Why does the computer model of adaptations include different habitats?

• Adaptations are features of living things that help them survive in their habitats. 

• You need to investigate different habitats to understand how adaptations work.

Why is it useful to make a prediction about what you think will happen in the model before you run it?

• Making a prediction about what you think will happen helps you develop your understanding.

• When you think the model will act in a certain way, this is based on what you understand.

• If the model has different results than your prediction, you'll need to change your understanding of what happened.

Why do you test each creature in both habitats?

• You want to find out if each creature has a special adaptation.

• Perhaps the adaptation works better in one habitat than the other.

• To find out, you need to test each creature in both habitats.

Why do you need to record the results?

• After you finish running the model, you need to compare the results. 

• You can do this only if you record the results first.

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Why does each simulation last for the same amount of time?

• You are comparing how different mouth sizes work in the two different habitats.

• You want to conduct a fair test in each habitat.

• One way to have a fair test is to make sure that the simulation lasts the same amount of time in each habitat.

In which habitat was the large-mouthed creature more successful than the small-mouthed creature? Why?

• The large-mouthed creature was more successful in the environment with only healthy bugs.

• This is because its large mouth could eat more bugs.

In which habitat was the small-mouthed creature more successful than the large-mouthed creature? Why?

• The small-mouthed creature was more successful in the environment with both healthy and toxic bugs. 

• This is because its small mouth allowed it to eat fewer toxic bugs.

In this lesson, can you say that one type of creature is better adapted to live in both habitats? In nature, what does this say about the adaptations of living things?

• No, neither creature is better adapted to live in both habitats.

• Each creature is better adapted to live in only one of the two habitats. In nature, adaptations of living things are useful in specific habitats. These adaptations are usually not useful in all habitats.

Open Ended

As you can see, the size and shape of a bird's beak limits what it can eat. Does the size or shape of a person's mouth limit what he or she can eat? Why or why not?

As you can see, the size and shape of a bird's beak limits what it can eat. Does the size or shape of a person's mouth limit what he or she can eat? Why or why not?

No, the size and shape of a person's mouth usually doesn't limit what he or she can eat. This is because people are not limited to their physical adaptations when they eat. For example, people cook food and then use tools (such as forks and knives) when they eat.

Open Ended

Why is it important for people to maintain the natural habitats of plants and animals?

Why is it important for people to maintain the natural habitats of plants and animals?

• As you've seen in this lesson, living things are adapted to live in specific natural habitats. 

• If people don't maintain these natural habitats, the living things that usually live in them won't be able to survive.

Poll

Which part of the lesson did you like the most?

• videos

• pictures

• interactive questions

• funny moments during class discussions