NOTE OF LESSON FOR WEEK ENDING 5TH JULY, 2024

CLASS: PRE SSI SUBJECT: BIOLOGY

TIME: 105 MINUTES PERIODS: 3 PERIODS/WEEK
TOPIC: ECOLOGY LESSON: ADAPTATION
TEACHING AIDS: Stick insect, green grasshopper and green leaves, Model of Snake, giraffe;
preserved bee, termites.
RESOURCE MATERIALS: I. G. UMEH: COLLEGE BIOLOGY; M. C. MICHAEL:
ESSENTIAL BIOLOGY; O. O. SUNDAY: EXTENSIVE BIOLOGY; CAMPBELL AND
REECE: BIOLOGY
ENTRY BEHAVIOUR: Teacher arouses students’ interest by asking if the have ever observed
a green grasshopper on a green gass. He introduces the class and lead the class discussion using a
stick insect on a twig.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES At the end of this lesson, students should be able to
1. State that adaptation may be a modification in response to environmental factors
2. Outline the availability of water as the principal factor for plant and animal distribution
3. List examples of adaptation to environmental factors
STEP I ADAPTATION DEFINITION:
Adaptation (Latin. Adapto means to adjust) means adjustment of an organism to certain features
which enhances its capability to withstand a particular environment.
Adaptation of organisms determine their survival in their respective environment. For instance,
camouflage-the ability of an organism to blend with its surrounding, protects the organism from
its predators.
STEP II: TYPES OF ADAPTATION
Organisms can adapt to an environment mainly in three ways. They can adapt structurally,
functionally and behaviourally to their environment.
Structural Adaptation
In structural adaptation, organisms have some special structural arrangements in their bodies.
With the help of such structural arrangements, they can easily survive in their environment. For
example, the body of a polar bear is well adapted to live in cold, mountainous regions (Fig.
36.1). Also, reduction of leaves to spine in cactus is to withstand DRY condition.
Behavioural Adaptation
In behavioural adaptation, organisms carry out some behaviour for adaptation in their
environment. For example, hibernation, in which organism goes underground to withstand harsh
climatic condition.
STEP III: ADAPTATION IN PLANTS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Plants grow in different environmental conditions and show adaptation for wide range of light
regimes, dry conditions and high temperature.
36.2.1 Adaptation in Plants for Light
Light is one of the major factors for all living organisms, especially green plants. This is because
they perform the process of photosynthesis and make available food for all living organisms.
Plants that grow in bright sunlight are called sun plants
Or hellophytes while those that grow in shady places are called shade plants or sclophytes. In
forests, plants are arranged in different strata due to their shade tolerance. Sun plants have high
temperature range for photosynthesis and also have high rates of respiration. On the other hand,
in shade plants, the rate of photosynthesis, respiration and other metabolic activities are low as
they grow on the ground under the dense canopy of trees. Table 36.1 represented the differences
in adaptive features of heliophytes and sciophytes.
Table 36.1 Differences in adaptive features of heliophytes and sciophytes
Hellophytes
1. They are adapted to bright light.
2. Their stems are hard, thick with small internodes.
3. A thick layer of cuticle is present on the leaves.
4. Sunken stomata are present on the lower surface of leaves.
5. They have extensively developed root system.
Sclophytes
1. They are adapted to low intensity light.
2. Their stems are soft, slender with large internodes.
3. A thin layer of cuticle is present on the leaves.
4. Stomata are present on the lower and ventral surfaces of leaves.
5. They have less developed root system.
36.2.2 Adaptation of Plants in Terrestrial Habitat
Adaptation in Mesophytes
Mesophytes are terrestrial plants (e.g. Cassava and Yam) that are able to grow and thrive in
average conditions. They show the following characteristic features:
1. They have extensive root system for absorption of water and for anchorage of plants in
the soil.
2. The broad, thin leaves are well adapted to trap solar energy which is used in
photosynthesis of plants.
3. These plants have thick bark which provides protection to the internal tissues of the
plants.
4. Leaves of the plant are covered by a layer of thick cuticle, which reduces water loss by
transpiration.
5. Stomata in mesophytes are well-developed for gaseous exchange.
Adaptation in Xerophytes
Plants that grow in extremely dry environmental condition are called xerophytes. As they grow
in extremely hot and dry conditions, they are well adapted to scarcity of water. These plants
show the following adaptive features to withstand prolonged period of drought:
1. Ephemeral xerophytes are drought escapers which remain in the form of seed for a long
period and complete their life cycle during the rain, e.g. Euphorbia prostrata.
2. Annuals or drought evaders are the xerophytes that continue to live for a few months
even after rains in hot dry conditions They have modifications to reduce the rate of
transpiration, e.g. Ehicnops echinatus.
3. Succulents are drought resistant which have fleshy, green swollen stems for storage of
water in their cells, e.g. Euphorbia and Aloe.
4. Leaves of some xerophytes are covered with a layer of thick cuticle or wax to prevent the
plant from water loss.
 5. Leaves of some plants (e.g. Acacia) get reduced or modified into spines (e.g. Cactus) to
prevent the plant from excess transpiration. However, the green, fleshy stem of the cactus
performs the process of photosynthesis. Casurina sp. Is a xerophyte which has no leaf at
all to reduce the loss of water from them.
6. The sunken stomata present on the leaf surface also help in reducing the rate of
transpiration (water loss from the plant). 7. Xerophytes have extensively long root system
which enables the plant to penetrate deep into the soil in search of water.
Fig. 36.2 In cactus, leaves are modified into spine to reduce loss of water
Some xerophytes are able to accumulate heat- shock protein named chaperonin which provide
them physiological adaptation against high temperatures.
Adaptation of Plants in Aquatic Habitat
Plants that grow in or on water are called hydrophytes. Hydrophytes are always surrounded by
excess water, therefore, they are aimed to adapt for getting rid of excess water. Some adaptive
features shown by hydrophytes are listed below:
1. Roots: In hydrophytes, roots are poorly developed, however, rooted emergent
hydrophytes, e.g. Nymphaea and Typha are anchored to the bottom soil by roots.
Submerged rooted hydrophytes, e.g. Vallisneria also have root for anchoring into the
bottom soil.
2. Leaves: In surface floating hydrophytes, e.g. Victoria, large and flat leaves enable the
plant to trap maximum sunlight for photosynthesis. They have thick layer of cuticle
(which makes them waterproof) and stomata (to get rid of excess water by transpiration)
on their upper leaf surfaces.
In submerged hydrophytes, leaves are either ribbon-shaped (e.g. Vallisneria) or finely dissected
(e.g. Ceratophyllum). This allow water to flow without causing any damage to them.
3. Stems: In submerged rooted hydrophytes. Stems are generally soft, spongy, slender and
with long internodes (e.g. Elodea). The rooted emergent hydrophytes grow in shallow
water hence their stems bear leaves and emerge partially or wholly above the surface of
water.
4. Inflated organs: Hydrophytes have air- filled tissues called aerenchyma (modified
parenchyma) in their stems and leaves, e.g. petioles and leaves in Eichhornia. These air-
storing organs impart buoyancy to the plants. It also helps the plants in conduction of
oxygen produced during photosynthesis.
(a) Water lily-Submerged, floating hydrophyte
(b) Weed-Submerged, rooted hydrophyte
(c) Water hyacinth-Free floating hydrophyte
Fig. 36.3 Examples of hydrophytes
5. Some submerged hydrophytes are covered with mucilage for protection.
6. Plants that grow in saline environment (water and salt) are called halophytes. Aquatic
halophytes found in tidal, marshes and coastal areas have the ability to tolerate high salt
concentration in water.
7. Mangroves grow in tidal marshes and have breathing roots called pneumatophores. These
roots have lenticels which absorb atmospheric oxygen by gaseous exchange and transport
same to the main root.
 8. Some large hydrophytes have prop roots and stilt roots to support the plants which grow
in muddy and waterlogged soil.
ACTIVITY 36.1
Aim: To observe adaptations in land and water plants
Materials required: A land plant (Crotolaria plant) and a water plant (Elodea plant)
Procedure: Examine the Crotolaria plant
And Elodea plant and note the differences in structures of their roots, stems and leaves. Find out
how these parts are adapted to their habitats.
ACTIVITY 36.2
Alm: To observe adaptations in land and water plants
Materials required: Two pieces of water weed, a lump of plasticine, glass jar and water
Procedure: Take the two pieces of water weed. Attach the base of each piece with plasticine.
Now, drop one piece of weed in the glass jar filled with water. Leave the other piece of weed on
the table. After a while, look at them and find out the differences in their appearances.
STEP IV: SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS IN PLANTS
1. Adaptation in climbers: Climbers are plants that have very slender but green stems.
Mostly climbers grow in shades. To obtain sunlight, they climb on other trees. Wild yam,
Rattan palm. Passion fruit and Black pepper are the examples of climbers. They have
curved hooks (Rattan palm), twining stem (Wild yam). Tendrils (Passion fruit) and
climbing roots (Black pepper). These modified structures help the plants to climb on a
tree trunk to get maximum sunlight for photosynthesis.
2. 2. Adaptation in plants to resist fire: Bush fire is common in savanna regions, thus the
plants are well adapted to withstand such situations. The thick and fire resistant bark of
the trees (eg, locust bean tree and shea butter tree) protect the inner tissues from fire. Due
to bush burning practice, aerial roots of plants get burnt but their underground. Stems
remain alive in the soil. The stems grow to new plants in favourable conditions. In the
savanna, some annual grasses have fire-resistant seed, which develop into new plants.
3. Adaptation of plants to oligotrophic soil: Oligotrophic soil is a soil which has very low
quantity of nutrients in them. Soil of tropical rainforests is the example of such type of
soil. The poor nutritient capacity of oligotrophic soil is caused due to intense weathering
and high rate of leaching. Plants which grow in such type of soil possess mycorrhizae (a)
mutualistic association of plants roots with fungi). The mycorrhizae help the plant in
absorption of water and protection from pathogenic organisms.
Adaptation in Pine Tree
The adaptive features of pine tree are as follow:
Pine tree is triangular and pointed in shape so it can easily shed heavy snow fall on them.
It has thick bark for protection against extreme cold.
Its leaves are green throughout the year so it can synthesise whenever there is sufficient sunlight
available.
Its leaves are needle-like so the rate of transpiration gets reduce and the plant is able to conserve
water.
The waxy coating of leaves reduces the water loss by transpiration.
STEP V: ADAPTATION IN ANIMALS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Adaptation of Animals in Terrestrial Habitat
Animals that live on land are called terrestrial animals. The terrestrial animals show the
following adaptive features:
1. Long and powerful limbs help them to walk and run.
2. They have lungs for gaseous exchange.
3. Sweat glands present underneath the skin help the terrestrial organisms to regulate their
body temperature.
4. Their skin is covered with a protective layer of cuticle which prevents them from the
invasion of harmful micro-organisms like bacteria and fungi. Skin also prevents
terrestrial organisms from drying up and injury.
5. 36.3.2 Adaptation In Animals to Water Scarcity
6. Animals that live in hot deserts show adaptations for reducing loss of water from their
bodies and for tolerance to desert conditions. Desert animals are adapted to live with less
amount of water. They obtain water from the food they eat. In kangaroo rats, 90% of its
water needs are met from metabolic water. Its thick body covering minimises water loss
due to evaporation. To minimise water loss, kangaroo rats excrete solid urine. Another
example in this regard is camel, which have unique adjustments to desert conditions. Its
long fur coat helps in reducing the loss of water from the body. The camel tolerates the
temperature fluctuation. It can change the body temperature throughout the day. This
enables the camel to reduce loss of water from its body. The camel produces dry feaces
and concentrated urine. During non-availability of water, the camel uses metabolic water
stored in their hump.
Echolocation This is a behavioural adaptation depicted by bats. Bats do not use their eyes to
locate food, prey or place of rest. Instead they produce high frequency sound, which work on the
principle of sonar. When the sound waves strike on various objects, they produce echos. These
echoes are received by the bats to locate their path.
STEP VI: ADAPTATION IN ANIMALS TO AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS
Like the variety of aquatic plants, there are also large varieties of animals which can also adapt to
live in the aquatic habitat. The aquatic animals show the following adaptive features:
1. They have streamlined body which reduces water resistance when they swim.
2. They have a balloon-like structure called swim bladder (e.g. Tilapia). By changing the
amount of gas in the bladder, a fish can move up and down through the water column.
3. They have gills for exchange of respiratory gases dissolved in water.
4. Their body is covered with scales. A layer of mucous covers the scaly body of fish and
makes them waterproof.
5. Snails have sticky surface for attachment to the substratum. This prevents them from
being swept away with the water currents.
Special adaptations in Animals
Like the plants, animals also survive and flourish by adapting to different environmental
conditions.
1. Migration: Animals can migrate from one place to another to avoid unfavourable climatic
conditions. For example, rats and slugs hide during the day and became active at night.
 Some organisms like eels migrate from fresh water down into the open sea in order to
reproduce.
2. Camouflage: Animals have the ability to blend with their surroundings in order protect
themselves from predators. This is called camouflage. For example, a stick insect
resembles the twigs (Fig. 36.4). It has Fig. 36.4 Diagram of a stick insect slender, dull
colour body and moves very slow. In this way, it looks like a small twig and protected by
the predators.
ACTIVITY 36.3
Aim: To observe camouflage in chameleon Materials required: A live chameleon and different
colours of cloth
Procedure: Place the chameleon against background of different colours and observe the colour
change in chameleon.
Adaptation in tapeworm (endoparasite) Tapeworm is an endoparasite which lives in the
gut of human beings. The body of the tapeworm (Fig. 36.5) is adapted for its internal
habitat (human gut) in the following ways:
Its body has a thick layer of cuticle which resists the digestive enzymes present in the
alimentary canal of the host.
The suckers and hooks of tapeworm are used for attachment to the intestine of host.
Its ribbon-like flat body adjusts it well in the gut of the host.
The flat body of tapeworm provides a large surface area for the absorption of digested
food present in the alimentary canal of the host.
STEP VII: STRUCTURAL ADAPTATION OF FISH AND TADPOLES TO LIVE IN
WATER
Fish are the aquatic animals that are well adapted to their environment. Tadpoles are the larval
stage in life cycle of amphibians (especially frogs and toads) which are wholly aquatic. Both fish
and tadpoles show the following adaptive features towards the aquatic habitat:
1. They have streamlined body that reduces water resistance when they swim.
2. In the fish and tadpoles, gaseous exchange takes place through gills. Gills allow them to
breathe oxygen in water. Water enters the mouth, passes over the gills, and exits the body
through the operculum. Gills absorb oxygen from the water as it passes over them. In
primary stages, gills of tadpoles are external, which are soon replaced by the internal gills
like the fish.
3. Most fish have several fins for swimming They use some of their fins to propel
themselves through the water and others to steer the body as they swim. Tadpoles have a
large, flattened tail with which they can swim by lateral undulation of water.
4. Fish like Tilapia have swim bladder which provides buoyancy in water.
5. The colour of the lower surface of Tilapia’s body is white-silver and its upper surface is
black. This colour combination prevents it from enemies.
STEP VIII: STRUCTURAL ADAPTATION OF BIRDS
Birds are mainly flying animals. Their bodies are adapted for flying. Some adaptive features of
birds for flight are as follow:
1. Their bones are light and hollow (pneumatic bones) which make the bird's body light in
weight
2. They have strong flight muscles attached to an enlarged breastbone or sternum. These flight
muscles also help the birds to move their wings for flying.
3. Their smooth feathers reduce the force of their body weight.
4. The long flight feathers on the wings and tail help birds balance and steer in the direction they
want to fly to.
6. Birds have a system of air sac that is connected to the lungs. It enables them to extract
much more oxygen from each breath of air than other animals can.
6. Birds need extra oxygen to release large amounts of energy to power their flight. Their
four-chambered heart also help to get more oxygen.
7. In flapping flight, the wings move up and down while in gliding flight, the birds stretch
their wings and do not flap them. Soaring birds like vulture and kites, use air currents to
gain heights. While landing, they glide down with a high speed.
Aerodynamics
Birds can fly using the motion of air, according to a branch of Science called aerodynamics.
They fly on the principle of indirect movement. It moves the air, which by it's displacement,
moves the bird. The air displaced by the beating of wings sets up currents that keep the bird aloft
and to move forward, resulting in flight
Adaptation of Beaks in Birds
The types of beak depend upon the feeding habits of the birds. Birds have the following types of
beaks:
1. Seed-eating birds such as sparrows and pigeons have short and thick beak for cracking
hard coverings of seeds and grains.
(a) Sparrow
(b) Pigeon
Fig. .9 Short and thick beaks for cracking hard coverings of seeds and grains
2. Insect and nectar-eating birds such as Hoopoe and Kingfisher have long and slender beak.
(a) Hoopoe
(b) Kingfisher
Fig 9 Long and slender beaks of insects and nectar-eating birds
3. Flesh-eating birds such as Owl, Eagle and Hawk have strong and hooked beak for tearing
of flesh.
(a) Owl
(b) Eagle
(c) Hawk
Fig. 36.10 Strong and hooked beaks for tearing of flesh
Special Adaptations in Bird’s Beaks
The beak of duck has a small hole on either sides of its beak, which work like a strainer. When it
takes muddy water with insects and plants, the muddy water flows out through the holes and
leaves the insects and plants inside the mouth of the duck.
Swallow is a small bird that feeds on insects. It has a soft and broad beak. It’s mouth and tongue
are sticky. Swallow moves round and round in the air, keeping its beaks open. Small insects
while flying get stuck in its mouth.
Adaptation of Claws in Birds
Birds have different types of claws.
1. Eagle, Hawk and Owl have sharp and curved claws called talons for catching and holding their
prey like rats and snakes.
(a) Eagle claws
(b) Owl claws
Fig. .11 Sharp and curved claws
2. Perching birds like sparrows and crows perch on tree branches or any such objects. For this,
they have four toes in their feet, with one hind which is well-developed. When they sit on the
tree branch, strong muscles of feet tightly hold the branch and toes are tightly locked.
(a) Crow claw
(b) Sparrow claw
Fig. Claws of perching birds
3. Water birds like Duck has webbed feet. The three front toes have a skin-like web between
them. There is one toe The webbed feet help the duck to swim in water.
at the back of their feet.
Fig.13 Webbed foot of a duck
4. Birds like hens are seed and insect- eaters. They scratch mud to find out buried in front
and a short hind toe with sharp and hard claws for scratching the ground.
Insects and seeds. Fig. 36.14 Hen’s claw for They have three toes scratching the ground
Adaptation of Feathers in Birds
There are three kinds of feathers found in bird’s body. They are:
1. Flight feathers: They are large in size and found in wings and tail. They help the bird to
fly and change direction during flight.
2. Body feathers: These feathers cover the complete body of the bird and give it a stream-
lined shape.
3. Down feathers: These are the fluffy feathers which keep the birds warm. These feathers
are very close to the skin of birds.
(a) Flight feather
(b) Body feather
(c) Down feather
Fig.15 Different kinds of feathers found in bird’s body
SUMMARY
Adaptation of an organism determines its survival in its respective environment.
Different organisms are well adapted to different environment in terms of their structures,
functions and behaviours
Plants grow in different environmental conditions and show adaptation for wide range of light
regimes, dry conditions and high temperature
Terrestrial and aquatic plants have various adaptive features which help them to survive their
respective environment
• Different birds have different types of beaks. The types of beak depend on the feeding habit of
the bird.
Birds use their claws for catching prey, perching and protecting themselves from their enemies
and moving about.
Feathers of birds keep them warm. There are three kinds of feathers-flight, body and down
feathers.
PRACTICE TIME
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
1. The adaptations for conserving water in Organisms include the following except
a) Scales in fish
b) Spines in plants
c) Thick leaves
d) Scales on leaves
2. Reduction of leaves to spine in cactus is
a) Behavioural adaptation
b) Structural adaptation
c) Competitive adaptation
d) None of these
3. In shade plants, the rate of photosynthesis, Respiration and other metabolic activities are
a) Very high
b) Very low
c) Moderate
d) Neither low nor high
4. Plants that grow in extremely hot and dry Conditions are called
a) Mesophytes
b) Epiphytes
c) Xerophytes
d) Hydrophytes
5. Ribbon-shaped leaves are found in
a) Vallisneria
b) Vitoria
c) Typha
d) Ceratophyllum
6. Climbers are adapted to climb on other trees or any other hard objects. For this, they have
a) Curved hooks
b) Twining stems
c) Tendrils
d) All of them
7. During the non-availability of water, the camel uses metabolic water stored in their
a) Stomach
b) Hump
c) Lungs
d) Legs
8. Echolocation is a behavioural adaptation seen In
a) Sparrows
 b) Owls
c) Bats
d) Pigeons
9. Ability of animals to blend with their surroundings in order to protect from predator is
called
a) Mimicry
b) Camouflage
c) Migration
d) Adaptation
10. Short and thick beaks of birds are used to
a) Crack the hard covering of grains
b) Tear the flesh of prey
c) Suck nectar from flowers
d) Strain the insects from muddy water
11. Special modifications which enable an organism to survive in its habitat is known as
a) Adaptation
b) Tolerance
c) Mimicry
d) Colouration
12. One adaptation shown by the hydrophytes in freshwater habitat is
a) Waxy cuticle on shoot surface
b) Poor development of roots and xylem Tissues
c) Well-developed roots and supporting System
d) Leaves reduced to spines
13. Which of the following structures is a protective adaptive feature of the Agama lizard to
the environment?
a) Nuchal creast
b) Claws
c) Scaly skin
d) Gular fold
14. Which of the following adapts an insect for feeding?
a) A suitable mouth part
b) Paired antennae
c) Segmented body
d) Jointed appendages
1.(a) Explain the term adaptation in relation to mode of life of an organism.
(b) Explain how each of the following structures adapt the organisms that possess them to their
mode of life:
(1) Succulent leaves in Aloe sp.
(u) Succulent stems and reduced leaves in Cactus plants
(i) Short, strong beaks of fowls
(iv) Tiny scales leaves on needle-like branches of pine trees (WASSCE)
2. (a) Define the term adaptation.
(b) Explain two ways each by which the following organisms adapt to their habitats:
Hydrophytes
Xerophytes
3. State the adaptive features of a fish and a tadpole towards the aquatic habitat.
4. (a) Outline the two types of adaptations shown in organisms.
(b) Illustrate the differences between them.
5. How is the body of tapeworm adapted to its habitat?
6. (a) Briefly outline the following:
(i) Migration
(11) Mimicry
(b) What is the difference between them.