Live Lesson Animal Adaptations 1/26/26

Animal Adaptations

​Live Lesson 1/26/26

​CER

An adaptation is a mutation, or genetic change, that helps an organism, such as a plant or animal, survive in its environment. Due to the helpful nature of the mutation, it is passed down from one generation to the next.

As more and more organisms inherit the mutation, the mutation becomes a typical part of the species. The mutation has become an adaptation.

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​Flying Squirrel

​Claim: The peppered moth has changed and adapted to its environment.

• What do you know about the Industrial Revolution?

• Have you ever heard of a peppered moth?

• Using your whiteboard, draw a picture of a peppered moth based on it's name.

The Peppered Moth

During the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, England's peppered moth population adapted to the increased amount of pollution in the air. Smoke from factories caused the trunks of many trees to turn dark brown or black.

Dark-colored peppered moths blended in when resting on these trees, making it less likely for a predator to see them. The population of black peppered moths increased, making the darker color a favorable adaptation.

​As you read, use the chat to type evidence from the passage that supports the claim.

The peppered moth population has adapted to its environment. In forests with little pollution, trees such as willows and birches have light-colored bark. Light-colored peppered moths blend in with this bark and are less likely to be spotted and eaten by predators. Light color is a favorable adaptation in these forests.

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​Claim Evidence Reasoning

​The peppered moth has changed and adapted to its environment.

​What evidence or support did you find?

​State the claim, add some evidence, and summarize the findings.

Word Cloud

Which adaptation did you find the most interesting so far in this lesson?

​MIMICRY

Which snake is deadly? Which one is harmless?

How confident are you when comparing the two?

Mimicry is a form of adaptation. In mimicry, one organism adapts to look like another.

​The harmless scarlet king snake, right, mimics the coloring and patterns of the deadly coral snake, on the left. Predators are less likely to attack the scarlet king snake, thinking that it is the type of snake that could possibly kill them.

Open Ended

What adaptation(s) did the mudskipper use to survive? Write down an example and it's function or purpose.

​Let's look at some of the physical adaptations of a camel. Can you explain what those adaptations are for when considering it's environment?

Match

Match the physical adaptation to the function.

• stores food

• protection from the sun

• keeps sand out of its eyes

• helps it to walk on the sand

• reabsorb as much water as possible

hump

hair

thick eyelashes

wide feet

long intestines

• hump

• hair

• thick eyelashes

• wide feet

• long intestines

What about HUMANS?

​Your textWe have undergone change since our species first evolved. Some changes were universal whereas others were more regional in effect. The changes apparent in worldwide populations include a decrease in both overall body size and brain size as well as a reduction in jaw and tooth proportions. Regional populations have also evolved different physical and genetic characteristics in response to varying climates and lifestyles.

​https://australian.museum/learn/science/human-evolution/how-have-we-changed-since-our-species-first-appeared/

How have we changed since our species first appeared? - The Australian Museum

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Poll

You don't always have to believe everything you are taught or shown in science. It's always changing, but, I'd like to know your opinion on the topic we just read about. Do you think humans have undergone change the last thousands of years?

• It's possible, but I'm not sure.

• Sounds like it's all made-up.

• I have my own theory or beliefs.

• Absolutely, this all made sense and is believable.

​If I call your name, please stay in class. I'm still completing data chats.