Characteristics Adapted to the Organism's Environment

Characteristics Adapted to the Organism’s Environment

• Characteristics adapted to an organism’s environment are a result of natural selection, which is a process where individuals most suited to their environment survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits.

• Organisms have both inherited and environmental characteristics. Inherited characteristics are those that are passed on through genes and include hair, eye colour and the ability to roll one’s tongue. Environmental characteristics are developed during the lifetime of an organism and include things like muscle development, scars, and learnt behaviours.

• Genetic variation results from mutations, or changes in the DNA sequence. These changes are random and can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

• When environmental conditions change, the organisms with characteristics that help them survive and reproduce in these new conditions will be more likely to pass on these traits to the next generation. This is the principle of “survival of the fittest”.

• The process of adaptation often results in the evolution of new species, in a process called speciation. This happens when a group of individuals within a species becomes so different from the rest of the species that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

• An example of an adapted characteristic is the long neck of a giraffe. This allows them to eat leaves from tall trees that other animals cannot reach, giving them an advantage in environments where food is scarce.

• Camouflage is another adaptation that allows organisms to blend with their environment, thereby avoiding predation. For example, stick insects look like sticks and leaves, making it difficult for predators to spot them, improving their chances of survival.

• Adaptation can also affect an organism’s physiology. For example, desert animals like camels have a variety of adaptations including the ability to go without water for long periods, and specialised physiology to tolerate high temperatures.

• It’s important to understand that an organism cannot choose or try to adapt to its environment. Adaptation is a process that happens over many generations and is driven by natural selection.

Remember that understanding these concepts are vital for a thorough understanding of variation and evolution. Revise these points thoroughly, make notes if required and always refer back to these key points.