Biology Year 11 - Module 3 - Lesson 12
Adaptations
1. Key Ideas
A thorny devil does not decide to grow water-channelled spines because the desert is dry. Adaptations are inherited characteristics shaped by natural selection over many generations because they increase fitness in a specific environment. This lesson distinguishes structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations and shows why similar environments can push unrelated organisms toward similar solutions.
- Key facts and definitions for Adaptations
- The concepts and principles underlying Adaptations
2. Success Criteria
By the end, you should be able to:
- Key facts and definitions for Adaptations
- Relevant terminology and conventions
- The concepts and principles underlying Adaptations
3. Key Terms
4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map
Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.
| Prompt | Your answer |
|---|---|
| Main concept | |
| Important example | |
| Common mistake to avoid | |
| How this links to the next lesson |
5. Short Answer Questions
1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "Key facts and definitions for Adaptations". Use one specific example from the lesson.
2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Relevant terminology and conventions". Show your reasoning clearly.
3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Adaptations: "The concepts and principles underlying Adaptations".
6. Extend: Apply the Idea
A student gives a memorised answer about Adaptations but does not use evidence or reasoning.
Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.
7. Multiple Choice
1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Adaptations?
A. Identify the key concept being tested
B. Write every fact from memory
C. Ignore the command word
D. Skip examples and evidence
2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Adaptations?
A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning
B. A copied definition only
C. A single-word response
D. An answer with no example
3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?
A. Link the idea to a reason or cause
B. List unrelated facts
C. Only draw a diagram
D. Write the shortest possible answer
8. Success Criteria Proof
Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.