ADAPTATION

Meaning of adaptation:

Adaptation can be defined as the ability for organisms to live successfully in their environment as a result of structure, appearance and behavior of organisms.it can also be defined simply as the ability for organisms to get used to their environment. Plants and animals possess different features that help them to adapt to either aquatic or terrestrial habitat.

There are two most contrasting environments plants and animals adapt to which are;

Aquatic environment and Terrestrial environment.

Animal adaptation to the aquatic environment

·         Presence of gills for breathing in fishes.

·         Presence of fins and tails for swimming.

·         They possess lateral lining which helps them to detect movement in water.

·         They possess streamline bodies for easy movement.

·         They possess osmoregulatory structures that get rid of excess water that enters the body cells. e.g. Fresh water fishes.

·         Aquatic animals such as plankton which drifts on water have devices such as oil droplets or ciliated bands for keeping them afloat.

PLANT ADAPTATION TO THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT (HYDROPHYTE)

·         Plants that leave on or in water are known as hydrophytes e.g. water lily.

·         They possess cuticle which allows water to enter freely over the whole-body surface.

·         The floating parts of hydrophytes that are exposed to air are covered with a thick cuticle to prevent water loss.

·         Their roots and stems are poorly developed.

·         Their vascular xylem is poorly developed.

·         They have well developed air spaces which makes them buoyant and helps it to float.

PLANT ADAPTATION TO TERRESTRIAL HABITAT (MESOPHYTE)

•       These are land plants found in an environment with an adequate water supply e.g. Hibiscus and cassava.

•       They have well-developed root and shoot systems.

•       Stomata is present in the leaf for gaseous exchange to occur.

•       A way cuticle covers the body surface to minimize water loss.

•       Their leaves are usually large and flattered.              

XEROPHYTES

•       These are plants that can survive in an environment where water supply is scare e.g. Cactus.

•       The protoplasm in the cells of xerophytes can tolerate a high degree of water loss without damaged the drought

•       They are some xerophytes have swollen stems or leaves containing water storage cells (i.e succulents) and can withstand log period of droughts.

•       There roots are well developed and grow down the great depths if necessary, in order to absorb water.

•       Their leaves are covered with thick waxy cuticles or hair in order to reduce water loss.                        

ANIMAL ADAPTION TO THE TERRESTIAL HABITAT

•       Birds and animals adapt to their terrestrial habitat in different ways. They adapt to escape predators. They possess different colors (i.e. birds) and camouflage to help them to escape from being noticed by their predators (i.e. the chameleon).

•        Animals such as lions, have streamlined bodies which helps them for swift movement.

•       Their limbs are long and strong.

•       Animals such as rabbits, have short forelimbs and powerful claws. Their heads are small for digging and entering holes.

•       Animals like squirrels have stout bodies and their ribs are very much curved, and their thorax semi-circular. The legs of lizard are provided with adhesive pad that help to hold the wall or other surfaces. For birds, their forelimbs are modified into wings and the muscles of their chests are very strong.

Plants adaptations to habitat (SUMMARY)

Plants in different habitats possess different adaptation

ü  MESOPHYTE: Plants adapted to a habitat with adequate water.

ü  XEROPHYTE: Plants adapted to a dry habitat.

ü  HAlOPHYTE: Plants adapted to dry habitat.

ü  HYDRPHYTE: Plants adapted to water (Fresh water)  

EVALUATION

Questions and Answers

1. Features that allow an animal to survive and thrive in its environment are called __________________.

A. Niches B. Characteristics C. Adaptations D. Ecosystems

2. Things that are a part of the animals body are ____________________ adaptations.

A. Physical B. Behavior C. Characteristic D. Action

                3. An animal's actions which help it survive are considered _______________________ adaptations.

A. Physical B. Behavior C. Characteristic D. Camoflage

                4. Features of an organism's body that help it hide from things that want to eat it are _________________ adaptations.

A. Behavior B. Feeding C. Predator D. Prey

                5. Features of an organism's body that help it capture and kill its food are ____________________ adaptations.

A. Behavior B. Climate C. Predator D. Prey

                6. Migrating from one area to another is an example of a __________________ adaptation.

A. Physical B. Behavior C. Predator D. Prey

                7. A cheeta's extreme speed is a _______________________ adaptation.

A. Physical B. Behavior C. Climate D. Prey

                8. Animals develop physical adaptations ______________________________.

Discuss

A. By changing the things they do to survive. B. As offspring with the adaptation breed and produce new offspring with the same adaptation. C. When they migrate from one location to another and have to find new things to eat. D. In only a generation or two, as the climate changes.

                9. Blending in to the surrounding habitat is a physical feature known as ______________________.

A.Adapting B. Hiding C. Blending in D. Camoflage

                10. Animals adaptations help the define their ________________ in the ecosystem.

A. Habitat B. Niche C. Food chain D. Friends

ASSIGNMENT: Write out four adaptative characteristics of (A) Chameleon (B) Camel