Overview
The lecture explains the three types of adaptations in organisms—structural, behavioral, and functional—and describes how organisms, including extremophiles, survive in various environments, using brown bears as an example.
Types of Adaptations
- Adaptations help organisms survive in their specific environments.
- Scientists categorize adaptations into three types: structural, behavioral, and functional.
Structural Adaptations
- Structural adaptations are physical features like body shape, color, or fur thickness.
- Seals and walruses are rounded with thick fat stores and a low surface area to volume ratio to conserve heat.
- Gray-brown coloration in some animals provides camouflage from predators.
- Brown bears have thick fur (structural) to survive cold climates.
- Long, sharp claws and strong muscles in brown bears help catch fish and hunt prey (structural).
Behavioral Adaptations
- Behavioral adaptations are learned or instinctive actions helping survival.
- Elephants flap ears and spray water to cool down.
- Swallows migrate to warmer countries to avoid the cold and food scarcity in winter.
- Brown bears eat a wide variety of foods, a behavior that helps them survive variable food availability.
- Bears overeat in summer and hibernate in winter, showing behavioral adaptation to food scarcity and cold.
Functional Adaptations
- Functional adaptations relate to internal body processes (metabolism, reproduction).
- Some desert animals produce little sweat and concentrated urine to conserve water.
- Camels store fat in their humps to release water when needed.
- Bears lower metabolism during hibernation to conserve energy (functional adaptation).
Extremophiles
- Extremophiles are microorganisms (like bacteria and archaea) adapted to extreme environments.
- They survive at high temperatures (hot springs), high salt concentrations (salt lakes), and high pressures (deep sea vents).
- Some extremophiles have even been found on the outside of the International Space Station.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Structural adaptation — Physical features of an organism aiding survival.
- Behavioral adaptation — Actions or behaviors that help an organism survive.
- Functional adaptation — Internal body processes that enhance survival.
- Extremophile — Microorganism adapted to live in extreme environments.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying structural, behavioral, and functional adaptations using example scenarios.
- Review key adaptation types and extremophile examples for exam preparation.