29th June 09 (Mon)

Charles Darwin

Lesson ObjectiveAt the end of the lesson, pupils are able to: • Recognise that adaptations serve to enhance survival of

an organism.• State that adaptations may be structural or behavioural. • Understand that adaptations enhance survival by enabling

the organism to: - Cope with physical factors- Obtain food- Escape predators- Reproduce by finding and attracting mates- Germinate by dispersing seeds

Adaptations

Adaptations are special characteristics of an organism that help it survive in its habitat.

Polar bears are adapted to the cold lands in the Arctic. They have: • a thick coat of fur, • lots of body fat, • hair on their soles to increase friction and prevent slipping.

Example: Polar Bears

Adaptations

Structural Behavioural

An organism usually has more than one adaptation.

Structural and behavioural adaptations often complement each other.

• How an animal behaves or what it does to survive.

Toads hide during the day and come out to feed at night when it is cooler.

can be

• Special body parts of an organism that help it to survive. For e.g. its colour, shape and body covering.

Polar bears have thick and white coat of fur to protect against the cold.

Refer to Science TB, Pg 49

AdaptationStructural adaptations are special body parts of an organism that help it to survive in its natural habitat.

Write your answers in your Science note book / on a piece of paper.

AdaptationBehavioural adaptations are special ways an organism behaves to survive in its natural habitat.

Refer to Science TB, Pg 49

Write your answers in your Science note book / on a piece of paper.

• Animals could move out of the changed environment or adapt to the new environment (usually a behavioural adaptation).

• Those unable to move or adapt will eventually die.

What happens to organisms if the environment changes and becomes unfavourable? E.g. the temperature increase by 2oC to 3oC, or the habitat suddenly receives less water?

SUMMARY

• Adaptations are special characteristics of organisms that help them survive in their habitat.

• Adaptation can be structural or behavioural.

• If the environment of a habitat changes and becomes unfavourable, animals need to move out or adapt. If not, they will eventually die.

To do:

• Access LEAD portal for Activity 1: Survivors!

• Read Science Textbook, Pg 48 & 49

• Science PSLE Booklet, Pg 3 – 12 and Pg 30 – 31