Answer: Adaptation refers to the process by which an organism or species changes over time to become better suited to its environment, typically through natural selection.
The diversity of animals in a population combined with selection pressures over time can lead to changes in population characteristics. Here are three examples:
Darwin's finches: The Galapagos Islands are home to a variety of finch species, each with different beak sizes and shapes. This diversity in beak morphology allows the finches to specialize in different food sources, such as seeds, insects, or nectar. During periods of drought, when certain food sources may become scarce, finches with larger beaks are better equipped to survive and reproduce, passing on their genes for larger beaks to the next generation. Over time, this can lead to an increase in average beak size in the population.
Peppered moths: Prior to the industrial revolution, the majority of peppered moths in the UK had light-colored wings that blended in with the lichen-covered bark of trees. However, as pollution from factories darkened the bark, dark-colored moths became more visible to predators and were therefore at a disadvantage. Over time, the proportion of light-colored moths in the population decreased, while the proportion of dark-colored moths increased.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In a population of bacteria, there may be a few individuals that are naturally resistant to a particular antibiotic. When antibiotics are used to treat an infection, these resistant bacteria are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, the proportion of resistant bacteria in the population may increase, making it more difficult to treat infections with that antibiotic.
Examples of structural adaptations in animals and plants are:
Camouflage: Many animals have evolved physical adaptations to blend in with their environment, making it harder for predators to spot them. For example, the chameleon can change the color of its skin to match its surroundings, while the Arctic fox has white fur in the winter to blend in with the snow.
Spines: Some plants have evolved spines or thorns as a defense mechanism against herbivores. For example, cacti have evolved spines to protect themselves from animals that might otherwise eat them.
Step-by-step explanation: