Tennessee SPI Objective:

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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Notes
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective Analyze structural,
behavioral, and physiological adaptations to
predict which populations are likely to survive
in a particular environment.
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Essential Learning Students will analyze
behavioral and structural adaptations that relate
to species survival.
Essential Question How do species adapt their
behavior and their physical structure in order to
survive?
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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science
Notes

• Environments always change over time
• So organisms, both plants and animals, must also
  change
• Changing is called adapting (also called
  adaptation)
• If an organism can not adapt to environmental
  changes they die
• If too many of the organisms die, then the entire
  species will go extinct

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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptations
Science
Notes
Environments always change over time

• They change seasonally and sometimes for other
  reasons

• So organisms must also change in order to
  survive.

This is called adapting

• One reason that environments change is due to the
  movement of tectonic plates.

Example Antarctica is very cold and icy today
since it is at the south pole
Yet millions of years ago Antarctica was further
north and had a warm climate.
It moved south riding on a tectonic plate. As it
moved the environment became colder.
As the environment became colder, the plants and
animals there had to adapt or die.
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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science
Notes
Environments always change over time
Millions of years ago Antarctica was further
north and had a warmer climate.
It moved south riding on a tectonic plate. As it
moved the environment became colder.
As the environment became colder, the plants and
animals there had to adapt or die.
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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science
Notes
Environments always change over time
Millions of years ago Antarctica was further
north and had a warmer climate.


It moved south riding on a tectonic plate. As it
moved the environment became colder.

As the environment became colder, the plants and
animals there had to adapt or die.
Notice that it is moving southward
Antarctica
Video Link Tectonic Plate Movement
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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science
Notes
Environments always change over time

• Another reason that environments change is due to
  the way the Earth orbits (revolves) the sun

Example In reoccurring cycles lasting thousands
to millions of years, the Earth wanders either a
bit further away or a bit closer to the sun as it
orbits the sun.
When Earth orbits closer to the sun, the entire
planet is warmer. When Earth orbits farther away
from the sun, the entire planet gets colder.
As the planet becomes hotter or colder, plants
and animals must adapt or die.
Distance
As the distance increases or decreases between
the Earth and the Sun, Earth becomes colder or
hotter.
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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science
Notes
Environments always change over time

• Another reason for this change is due to
  catastrophic events like volcanoes and/or objects
  striking the planet from space.

Example Volcanic eruptions can throw tons and
tons of rock dust and smoke into the atmosphere
creating gigantic clouds that block sunlight.
This affects plants, and the animals that eat
them. Both the plants and animals have to adapt
or die.
Video Link Volcanic Eruption
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SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science
Notes
Environments always change over time

• Another reason for this change is due to
  catastrophic events like volcanoes and/or objects
  striking the planet from space.

Example When large asteroids strike the Earth
tons of rock dust is thrown up into the
atmosphere. These dust clouds block sunlight
causing our planet to become colder. This affects
plants, and the animals that eat them. They must
adapt or die.
Video Link Asteroid Strike (In the Past)
Video Link Asteroid Strike (In the Future?)
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Quick Review
SPI 0807.5.2 Adaptation
Science

• Questions
• What is one reason that environments change?
• What is another reason that environments change?
• What is another reason that environment change?
• When environmental change occurs, what happens to
  the organisms that live in the environment?
• What is extinction?
• Is extinction rare or common?
• Explain how humans are causing environmental
  change around the planet.