Biology • Year 11 • Module 3 • Lesson 2

Adaptations

Lock in the core vocabulary, the three adaptation categories, and the key Australian examples before moving to application tasks.

Build · Vocab & Structure

1. Complete the paragraph

Fill each blank with the correct term from the word bank. Use each term once only. 8 marks

Word bank: inherited • fitness • natural selection • structural • physiological • behavioural • convergent adaptation • selection pressures

An adaptation is an _______________ characteristic that increases an organism's _______________ in a particular environment. Adaptations are the result of _______________ acting on heritable variation over many generations. A _______________ adaptation is a physical feature of anatomy, such as thorny devil skin grooves. A _______________ adaptation is an internal functional process, such as producing concentrated urine. A _______________ adaptation is an action pattern, such as crepuscular activity. When unrelated organisms independently evolve similar traits in response to similar environments, this is called _______________, which occurs because similar _______________ can repeatedly select for similar solutions.

Stuck? Revisit the Key Terms panel and Card 1 in the lesson.

2. Term–definition match

Write the matching term from this list in the right-hand column: structural adaptation • physiological adaptation • behavioural adaptation • camouflage • mimicry • extremophile • convergent adaptation • fitness. 8 marks

#	Definition	Matching term
2.1	A physical feature of anatomy that improves survival.
2.2	An internal biochemical process that improves function.
2.3	An action or response pattern that improves survival or reproduction.
2.4	Colouration or pattern that helps an organism blend into its surroundings.
2.5	Resemblance of one species to another for protection.
2.6	An organism that thrives in extreme environmental conditions.
2.7	When unrelated organisms evolve similar traits in similar environments.
2.8	The reproductive success of an individual relative to others in the population.

Stuck? Revisit the Key Terms panel in the lesson.

3. Classify the adaptation examples

For each example below, write S (structural), P (physiological) or B (behavioural) in the Type column. 8 marks

Type (S/P/B)	Example
	Thorny devil skin grooves that channel dew toward the mouth
	Red kangaroo embryonic diapause delays development when resources are scarce
	Crepuscular activity in red kangaroos to avoid midday heat
	Acacia phyllodes reduce water loss compared with broad leaves
	Echidna torpor during cold periods
	Thick fur in Arctic foxes
	Huddling behaviour in emperor penguins
	Antifreeze proteins in Antarctic fish

Quick rule: ask “what does it look like?” (structural), “what happens inside?” (physiological), or “what does it do?” (behavioural).

4. True or false, with correction

Circle T or F. If the statement is false, write the corrected version on the line below. 8 marks, 1 for T/F, 1 for correction where needed

4.1 An adaptation can be any useful feature an organism develops during its lifetime in response to environmental needs. T / F

4.2 Sharks and dolphins both have streamlined bodies because they are closely related mammals. T / F

4.3 Embryonic diapause in red kangaroos is classified as a physiological adaptation. T / F

4.4 Convergent adaptation means that similar features always prove close evolutionary ancestry between species. T / F

Stuck? Revisit Cards 1 and 3 in the lesson, plus the misconceptions box.

5. Build a concept map

Draw labelled arrows between the five terms below to show how they connect. Each arrow must carry a linking phrase (e.g. “is an example of”, “requires”, “results from”). Aim for at least 5 labelled arrows. 5 marks

Supplied terms: adaptation • natural selection • fitness • inherited trait • environment.

adaptation

natural selection

fitness

inherited trait

environment

Think about how natural selection works on inherited traits; how adaptations increase fitness; and how the environment determines which traits are advantageous.

Answers, Do not peek before attempting

Q1, Cloze paragraph

In order: inherited • fitness • natural selection • structural • physiological • behavioural • convergent adaptation • selection pressures.

Q2, Term–definition matches

2.1 structural adaptation • 2.2 physiological adaptation • 2.3 behavioural adaptation • 2.4 camouflage • 2.5 mimicry • 2.6 extremophile • 2.7 convergent adaptation • 2.8 fitness.

Q3, Classification answers

S Thorny devil skin grooves • P Embryonic diapause • B Crepuscular activity • S Acacia phyllodes • P Echidna torpor • S Thick fur in Arctic foxes • B Emperor penguin huddling • P Antifreeze proteins.

Q4, True/False with correction

4.1 False. Correction: An adaptation must be inherited and must be the result of natural selection acting on heritable variation over many generations, it is not something an organism develops during its lifetime because it needs it.

4.2 False. Correction: Sharks and dolphins both have streamlined bodies because of convergent adaptation to similar aquatic selection pressures, they are not closely related (sharks are fish and dolphins are mammals).

4.3 True.

4.4 False. Correction: Convergent adaptation means similar features can arise independently in unrelated organisms due to similar selection pressures, similar features do not automatically prove close ancestry.

Q5, Sample concept map

Accept any biologically valid linking phrases. A correct map should include arrows such as:

adaptationis the result of → natural selection
adaptationmust be an → inherited trait
natural selectionfavours traits that increase → fitness
environmentcreates selection pressures that drive → natural selection
fitnessis determined by the → environment

Award 1 mark per correctly labelled arrow with a valid linking phrase. Maximum 5 marks.