This deep dive covers Deep Dive: The Three Types of Adaptation within Competition Adaptations for GCSE Biology. Topic 2: Competition Adaptations It is section 4 of 15 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🔬 Deep Dive: The Three Types of Adaptation
| Type | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Structural | Physical features of the body | Polar bear — thick fur and blubber for insulation; white fur for camouflage. Camel — hump stores fat; wide feet spread weight on sand. Cactus — spines instead of leaves; thick stem stores water. Fish — streamlined shape for moving through water. |
| 2. Behavioural | Actions or behaviours that help survival | Migration — birds fly south in winter to find food. Hibernation — animals sleep through winter when food is scarce. Nocturnal hunting — avoid heat of day, hunt when prey is vulnerable. Courtship displays — attract mates with dances, songs, colours. |
| 3. Functional (physiological) | Internal processes and chemistry | Desert rat — produces very concentrated urine to save water. Poison dart frog — produces toxins that deter predators. Bacteria in hot springs — enzymes work at high temperatures. Plants in salty soil — can tolerate high salt concentrations. |
Practice questions for Competition Adaptations
Which of the following do plants compete for?
Explain how the spines of a cactus are an adaptation to its desert environment.
Quick recall flashcards
Why are adaptations important?
They increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in its environment.
What do plants compete for?
Light, water, nutrients (mineral ions), and space.