Study Guide-Adaptations

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Snakes have adapted to many different environments on planet Earth. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, for instance, is found throughout the South-Eastern United States.

Eastern Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus

Identify one key structural adaptations possessed by rattlesnakes.

a.	These snakes have rattles on their tails to warn away predators.
b.	Serpents such as this will lie on warm rocks that have been heated by the sun.
c.	Rattlesnakes will swim across small streams to get to the other side.

One structural adaptation displayed by plants is the shape and size of their leaves. Different plant species have different shaped leaves depending on their environment.
Which diagram below most likely shows an adaptation that increases the chances of survival of a plant in a hot, dry climate?

Maple Tree Leaf

Wild Yam Leaf

Cactus Leaf

Closely examine the pictures of the animal shown below.

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Identify two structural adaptations possessed by this animal.

a.	Cheetahs can run very fast. They are excellent hunter that sprint to capture their prey.
b.	They have very long ears, and they have short but powerful tails for swimming.
c.	They have long leg bones, and they have spots for camouflage.

Alligators are carnivorous reptiles. One behavioral adaptation they display is ambushing animals that come down to the water’s edge. Two structural adaptations they have is nostrils on top of their long snouts and eyes located high up on their skulls. These two adaptations allow alligators to float in the water with most of their body hidden beneath the surface.

Where would you most likely expect to find reptiles with these types of adaptations?

a murky swamp

a deciduous forest

frozen tundra

All organisms including fish, mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and bacteria adapt to their specific habitats by changing their behavior or their body structure or both.
Which of the following behavioral adaptations is best suited for survival in an environment with harsh, extremely cold, and long winters?

webbed feet

hibernation

defensive behavior

Some characteristics of a plant are listed below.
(1) Short, thick stem.
(2) Small, plump leaves covered by a waxy coating.
(3) Roots grow close to the surface of the ground

For which environment is this plant most likely adapted?

desert

coniferous forest

Arctic tundra

In the savannas of East Africa, trees are scarce and their leaves are up high in the tallest branches. Many plant eating animals compete to eat the best leaves on these trees.

Trees of the African Savanna

Which adaptation would most likely help a population of ground-dwelling organisms survive in this environment?

a.	large shell and leathery skin
b.	long necks and tall legs
c.	light colored fur and layers of blubber

All organisms must adapt to their environment in order to survive and reproduce. If an organism can not adapt to a change in its environment then it will die. If too many of the individuals die then the entire species will go extinct.
Which of the following events would most likely cause a rapid extinction of organisms?

a.	A gradual decrease in the growth of weeds in a meadow over a 1000 year time period.
b.	A large asteroid impact could cause extinctions due to fast changes in the environment
c.	Formation of a new glacier would cause extinctions due to the slow changes to the environment

Some birds such as hummingbirds take nectar from flowers for food.

Hummingbirds

Select one significant structural adaptation possessed by hummingbirds.

a.	Hummingbirds have long-thin beaks that they insert into flowers to get nectar.
b.	These birds often hover in place by beating their wings very fast.
c.	These birds have large talons that they use to capture prey to eat.

10.

A young crocodile is basking in the warm sunlight.

How is this an example of a behavioral adaptation?

a.	The reptile is using solar radiation to heat up its body to allowing it to move faster.
b.	Its nostrils are on top of its snout enabling it to breath air with most of its body under water.
c.	The crocodile has a powerful jaw, hard bony scales on its back, and a strong tail.