Adaptation in Nature

Adaptation: Overview

• Adaptation involves changes to acclimate to new environments or situations.

Human Adaptation

• During winter, humans wear heavier clothing to maintain body warmth.

Plant Adaptation

• Chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, is essential for photosynthesis (food production).
• In autumn, shorter days and reduced sunlight lead to the breakdown of chlorophyll, causing leaves to change color (yellow, red, brown) and eventually fall off.
• During winter, the lack of chlorophyll results in dormancy, where plants become inactive.
• Plants re-emerge from dormancy in spring and summer, becoming active again.

Animal Adaptation

• Animals face food scarcity in winter and adapt through two primary strategies:
  • Hibernation: Long-term state of reduced metabolic activity characterized by slow heart rate and breathing. Example species include bears and mice.
  • Migration: Movement of large animals to different locations to access food or warmer climates during colder months.