Adaptations

Adaptations occur as a result of changes in the environment, life style or relationship to other organisms. Environment dynamicity, voluntary or compelled shifting of habitat and human activities may put organisms in a new niche or in environmental stresses or pressures. Under these circumstances, organisms require characteristics suitable to the new situation. Organisms that are not suitably adapted to their environment will either have to move out of their habitat or die out. Organisms that are well adapted to their environment have an increased chance of survival and reproducing. These organisms will pass on their traits to their offspring, increasing the survival of the species. 

 

Adaptations benefit organisms by allowing them to:

• Secure food, water and nutrients

• Obtain air and warmth

• Cope with physical conditions (temperature, light and heat)

• Defend and protect themselves from predators

• Reproduce and rear offspring

• Respond to changes around them

 

There are three different types of adaptations. Adaptations can be structural, physiological and behavioural. Structural adaptations are body parts of an organism that help it to survive in its natural habitat. Physiological adaptations are systems present in an organism that allow it to perform certain biochemical reactions. Behavioural adaptations are ways an organism behaves to survive in its natural habitat.