What is adaptation?
Q: What is adaptation?
A: Adaptation is the evolutionary process where an organism becomes better suited to its habitat over many generations.
Q: What do people mean when they speak about adaptation?
A: People often mean a "feature" or trait that helps an animal or plant survive.
Q: Can you give an example of adaptation in horses?
A: Yes, one example is the adaptation of horses' teeth to grinding grass. Grass is their usual food; it wears the teeth down, but horses' teeth continue to grow during life. Additionally, horses have adapted to run fast, which helps them escape predators such as lions.
Q: Are changes in a single trait the only result of adaptation?
A: No, for major adaptations, changes occur in a whole group of features, such as the digestive system, gut, claws, wings, and behavior.
Q: What is the reason for adaptation occurring in animals?
A: Adaptation occurs because better adapted animals are the most likely to survive and reproduce successfully, which is known as natural selection.
Q: What is natural selection?
A: Natural selection is the basic cause of evolutionary change, where better adapted animals have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing.
Q: What does an illustration of bird beaks show?
A: An illustration of bird beaks shows an obvious sign of their different ways of life, but also indicates differences in their digestive system, gut, claws, wings, and inherited behavior due to their adaptation to different food sources.
