What Is an Adaptation?

An adaptation is a feature that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

💡 Key Concept: Adaptations improve an organism’s chances of survival, especially in extreme or competitive environments.

Types of Adaptations

Examples of Adaptations

Arctic Fox (Cold Environment)

✔ Structural: White fur for camouflage, small ears to reduce heat loss
✔ Behavioural: May hunt at night during summer
✔ Functional: Thick fur traps heat

Camel (Hot Desert Environment)

✔ Structural: Hump stores fat, long eyelashes, wide feet
✔ Behavioural: Can go without water for long periods
✔ Functional: Concentrated urine to conserve water

Cactus (Desert Plant)

✔ Structural: Spines instead of leaves, thick waxy cuticle
✔ Behavioural: Opens stomata at night to reduce water loss
✔ Functional: Stores water in fleshy stem

Extremophiles

Organisms that live in extreme conditions (e.g. very hot, cold, salty, or acidic environments).
✔ Many are microorganisms (e.g. bacteria in hot springs or deep-sea vents).
✔ Their adaptations allow them to survive where most life cannot.

💡 Key Example: Bacteria living in thermal vents can survive high temperatures and pressures.

Adaptations and Survival

✔ Better-adapted organisms are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes.
✔ Adaptations evolve over many generations through natural selection.