Mikyla Sorianosos

Adaptations

Physiological Adaptations –
Internal and/or cellular features of an organism that enable it to survive in its environment
Some examples :
1) Concentration of urine
Animals that live in dry, arid, and extreme conditions require an animal adaptation that can
help them to survive even in acute scarcity of water. In these animals, waste and other
excretory products are stored inside their bodies for a longer period without poisoning
them or causing harm to other organs. Tanning (in humans)
2) Tanning is an adaptation in response to seasonally high UVR, especially UVB, levels. It is a
significant adaptation for human populations living in the temperature range of 23-46ºC
since this zone has varying levels and concentrations of UVB depending on the season.
3) Moulting
Animals like polar bears have to stay warm during the winter, but their thick fur coat
becomes too hot during the summer season. Moulting is a physiological process that helps
them to cool down and shed heavy amounts of fur. This helps them hunt faster and more
efficiently in the summer when there is less ice. Moulting is a feature of many animals, like
cats and dogs.

Behavioural Adaptations –
Actions of an organism that enable them to survive in their environment
Some examples :
1) Hibernation is a special adaptation in some animals to survive harsh and cold climate
conditions in the winter. In winter, the temperature outside is very cold, and food is hard
to find. Hibernation helps animals to save energy by going into a deep sleep.
2) Some animals exhibit courtship behaviour which is performed just before mating. Animals
exhibit this type of behaviour to attract females. Males and females recognize each other
and get stimulated as a result of courtship behaviour. STraveling in herds or group
behaviour:
3) Some animals can be found living in groups which can be small or large, depending on the
species. Animals form groups mainly to defend themselves or to gather food more
efficiently. Finding mates also becomes easier for the species that live in a group.

Anatomical Adaptations -
traits that have been selected for because they help increase an organism's chance of survival
and reproduction.
 1) The chameleon is renowned for its extraordinary ability to change colour and blend
seamlessly with its surroundings. This remarkable adaptation is primarily controlled by
specialised cells called chromatophores in their skin. These cells contain pigments that
expand or contract, altering the chameleon's appearance.
2) Hummingbirds are known for their astonishing agility in the air, which is made possible by
their structural adaptations. Their wings are joined close to their bodies, enabling them to
rotate them in a figure-eight motion, a key factor in their ability to hover in place.
3) The platypus, native to Australia, is a true oddity in the animal kingdom. One of its most
intriguing structural adaptations is its bill, which is equipped with electroreceptors. These
specialised sensors detect the electric fields generated by the muscles and nerves of prey,
allowing the platypus to hunt underwater with incredible precision, even in complete
darkness.

Ecological Niche and its relation to adaptations

An ecological niche is the part of the environment into which a species fits, and to which it
is adapted.A shorthand definition of niche in biology is how an organism makes a living in a
place.
However, the term has been used in different ways. It is not only a place but a way of life.
For example, grazers, insectivores, scavengers and predators can all live their different
lifestyles in the same forest. A niche can be occupied by different species in different places
even though they 'earn their living' in roughly the same way. Thus the 'bird of prey eating
small mammals' niche would in grasslands include the kestrel, but in an oak wood it would
be filled by the tawny owl.An organism's niche is the space defined by these parameters in
which a population could theoretically survive indefinitely. By understanding how
organisms occupy ecological niches, we can gain insight into how ecosystems can evolve and
adapt to changing conditions over time.