Key Types of Adaptation with Examples for Students
A change in the structure and function of an organism that results from a natural process by which an organism is better fitted to survive and also multiply in an environment is called adaptation.
What is Adaptation Theory?
Adaptation theory is also referred to as the theory of survival of the fittest which is an organism’s ability to adapt to an environment and adjust with time. The scientist who came up with his theory is Charles Darwin who conducted experiments in Galapagos island in the 1830s. Before Darwin, there were many other scientists such as Empedocles, Aristotle, William Paley, Lamarck and Buffon who accepted the fact that species change with time but did not understand the underlying cause for this change or that adaptation was a continuous process which does not have a final form.
Adaptation theory suggested that with habitat change, there are three other changes that take place: habitat tracking, genetic change, and extinction.
Habitat Tracking: When an organism which used to live in the environment, finds another environment which is similar to the previous one to which it has inhabited before.
Extinction: When species are not able to adapt to the new environment or move out and find a new environment to live in, they eventually die out and become extinct.
Genetic Change: Genetic change is natural selection that allows the organism with slight mutations to survive better in an environment when compared to the other organisms in a given area.
Example - Darwin observed the turtles living on two islands. The turtles in one island ate from the lower ground due to which they had shorter legs and straight shells. When these turtles migrated to another island, where the food resources were at a height, turtles with longer legs were able to eat and survive and reproduce. With time their necks also grew longer, and their shells became round and these adaptations were passed on to generations for the turtles living on that island.
What Causes Adaptation?
Adaptation could occur due to mutation or natural selection. Mutation is the sudden genetic change which could be accidental or random. Mutation will arise due to any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA and if a single pair of nucleotides is replaced. Certain mutations are harmful to human beings while certain mutations could be advantageous to the survival of an organism in the struggle for existence.
Example - A bird is born with a long beak and this helps it capture food and therefore survive better. This bird is, therefore, able to survive better and breed more. This gene continues to be inherited generation after generation.
Natural selection is the process in which individuals with survival advantages will survive in an environment and those with less advantageous traits will die due to the pressure from the environment. In an area, the resources are fixed or limited. There is competition among the species of that area to fight for the available resources. In a population, some individuals have the traits which could be structural or behavioural that make them better at surviving and reproducing. In the struggle for existence, some individuals show variable variations that have a reproductive advantage and produce more offspring than other species. Any unfavourable variation selects out against their presence, conferring a selective disadvantage on that organism.
Example - Different species of finches existed on Galapagos island, the variation among them was in their beak characteristics. Nature selected the most suitable beak against the less useful ones.
What are the Different Types of Adaptations?
Adaptations could be of various types:
1. Structural Adaptations
Structural adaptations are the changes to the structure of a living organism to adapt better to an environment. These structural modifications affect an animal at many different levels and such changes are highly visible adaptations, one can fully identify these changes with naked eyes.
Example - How desert plants have adapted to the desert conditions where there is a very little amount of water available and the temperature is high. Plants called succulents have adapted to the desert conditions by storing water within themselves to compensate for the lower water availability.
2. Behavioural Adaptation
Behavioural adaptation is the change in the behavior of an organism to survive better in an environment. Behavioural adaptations are not easy to identify and many a time requires careful field and laboratory studies to bring them to board light.
Example - Migration- bird migrates to the south in winter as there is more food available, but some birds also do migrate for the purpose of reproduction.
3. Physiological Adaptations
Physiological adaptations are a body process that helps an organism survive/reproduce better in an environment. These adaptations could be the different ways in which an organism responds to the stimuli from the environment. These changes are typically based on body chemistry and metabolism, thus usually can’t be seen from the outside. Laboratory studies that measure the contents of various body fluids are often needed to trace these types of Adaptations.
Example - An animal which is living in cold regions will have features like thick fur and short ears to reduce the heat loss. The physiological adaptation here is the shivering to generate more heat when it gets cold.
4. Coadaptation
Co-adaptation when two or more species are symbiotically bound to each other for their survival and adapt together, it is called co-adaptation.
Example - Humming birds have long beaks which helps the bird capture nectar from specific plants during which it gets dusted with pollen grains. In this way, the pollen grains are distributed, and the hummingbirds get their food.
Why is Adaptation Important for Species?
Every organism has a natural habitat which is home to the organism. This is where the basic needs of the organism like food, shelter, water and other needs are met. All organisms need to adapt to their habitats to be able to survive. An adaptation is a change to the structure or behaviour of the organism which helps the organism survive better in the habitat. This means the organism will have to adapt to the climatic conditions, predators and compete for the same resources with the other organisms living in that habitat.
Animals live in an environment where there are several factors like climate, the kinds of plants and other animals that may be predators or might compete with them for resources. The animal must adapt to all these factors to survive.
Adaptation protects the animals from their predators. One good example is the ability to camouflage. Camouflage is an adaptation that helps an organism blend in with the surroundings so that it is not noticeable. Adaptations also help the organism protect themselves from the harsh weather. In Alaska, where the temperature is very low the animals store food in their body and protect themselves from the cold climate with thick furs.
Conclusion
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FAQs on What Is Adaptation in Biology?
1. What exactly is adaptation in the context of Biology?
In Biology, adaptation is the evolutionary process by which an organism becomes better suited to its environment. This involves developing specific structural, behavioural, or physiological traits that increase its chances of survival and reproduction. These traits are passed down through generations.
2. What are the main types of adaptations found in living organisms?
Adaptations are generally classified into three main categories:
- Structural Adaptations: These are physical features of an organism's body. For example, a bird's beak shaped for a specific food source or a polar bear's thick fur for insulation.
- Behavioural Adaptations: These are actions or patterns of activity an organism performs to survive. A common example is the migration of birds to warmer climates during winter.
- Physiological Adaptations: These are internal bodily processes that help an organism. For instance, snakes producing venom to hunt or certain animals hibernating to conserve energy.
3. Can you give some clear examples of structural adaptations in animals?
Certainly. A classic example of a structural adaptation is the webbed feet of ducks, which help them swim efficiently. Another is the long neck of a giraffe, which allows it to reach leaves on tall trees that other animals cannot access. The sharp claws of a tiger are another example, adapted for capturing prey.
4. How do desert plants adapt to survive in such a dry environment?
Desert plants have several fascinating adaptations to conserve water. Many have spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration. They often have thick, waxy skin to prevent water from evaporating and extensive or deep root systems to find and absorb as much water as possible.
5. What is the key difference between adaptation and acclimatisation?
This is a common point of confusion. Adaptation is a long-term, genetic change that occurs in a population over many generations, driven by natural selection. In contrast, acclimatisation is a short-term, non-hereditary physiological adjustment that an individual organism makes in its own lifetime to cope with environmental changes, like a human getting used to a higher altitude.
6. How does camouflage work as an adaptation for both predators and prey?
Camouflage is a powerful adaptation that serves a dual purpose. For prey, it allows them to blend in with their surroundings, making it harder for predators to spot and catch them. For predators, it provides the element of surprise, allowing them to get closer to their prey without being detected before they strike.
7. Can an individual animal adapt to a new environment during its life?
An individual animal cannot genetically adapt during its lifetime. The process of adaptation happens to a population over many generations. An individual can, however, show acclimatisation, which is a temporary adjustment. For example, a single bird can't decide to grow a thicker beak, but over generations, birds with slightly thicker beaks might survive better, leading the whole population to adapt.
8. What is mimicry and why is it an important form of adaptation?
Mimicry is an adaptation where one species evolves to resemble another species or an object in its environment. It's important for survival. For example, a harmless snake might evolve to have the same bright colours as a venomous snake. This tricks predators into avoiding it, thinking it's dangerous, which significantly increases its chances of survival.
