Biology: Adaptations and Camouflage

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason why Armillaria can become the largest known living organism on earth?

It has a highly complex nervous system

It has a unique adaptation that allows it to survive for over 1500 years (correct)

It is a highly social organism

It has a highly developed sense of smell

What is the function of the second touch required to trigger the Venus flytrap's snapping shut?

To attract more insects

To conserve energy

To detect the presence of insects

To avoid false alarms and catch only nutritious prey (correct)

What is an example of an adaptation that extends beyond the body of the individual with the adaptation?

A bird's nest

A spider's web

A beaver's dam

All of the above (correct)

What is the purpose of the peacock's tail, despite being cumbersome and not ideal for camouflage?

To attract a mate Signup and view all the answers

How do we know that the waggle dance of honeybees is an adaptation?

Through experiments and observations Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a preadaptation?

The kea's beak is a preadaptation for attacking living sheep Signup and view all the answers

What is pleiotrophy?

When a gene has more than one effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for when a feature is present because it gives a selective advantage?

Adaptation Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an adaptation that helps the organism to breed, rather than survive?

The peacock's tail Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the history of a species or trait to determine if it is an adaptation?

Comparative method Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of active camouflage in crab spiders?

Protection from predators and prey capture Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of topoisomerase 2 enzyme in cells?

Preventing DNA tangling during replication Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique feature of the giant redwood's xylem capillaries?

Lift water 115 meters up the tree Signup and view all the answers

How do Venus flytraps avoid false alarms?

By snapping shut only after the second touch Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the peacock's tail?

Attracting a mate through sexual selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the waggle dance in honeybees?

Communication among worker bees about food sources Signup and view all the answers

How can we be sure that a trait is an adaptation?

Through observations and experiments Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Armillaria, also known as honey fungus?

It is the largest known living organism on earth Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an adaptation that extends beyond the body of the individual?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the trematode parasite's adaptation?

To get its snail host eaten by a bird to continue its life cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why an adaptation is present in an organism?

Because it provides a selective advantage Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of active camouflage in crab spiders?

To allow it to pounce on prey and provide protection from predators Signup and view all the answers

At which spatial scales do adaptations appear?

At all spatial scales, including individual cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of topoisomerase 2?

To detangle twisted DNA Signup and view all the answers

How do the enzymes like topoisomerase 2 prevent DNA from becoming tangled?

By cutting DNA and holding the ends Signup and view all the answers

How much water can the xylem capillaries of a giant redwood lift per day?

Around 1 ton Signup and view all the answers

What allows honey fungus Armillaria clones to communicate and fuse?

A genetic fingerprinting system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of an adaptation?

It provides a selective advantage Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of active camouflage in chameleons?

To change color for social communication Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take for crab spiders to change color?

Within 3-9 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of measuring the rate of evolution in a sequence?

It indicates how well-adapted or currently adapting a sequence is Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to be cautious when labeling a trait as an adaptation?

To avoid assuming cultural behaviors are genetic Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a cultural adaptation in animals?

Whale bubble-netting Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a feature that evolved for one purpose but proves useful for another?

Preadaptation Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic often correlated with domestication in mammals, but not an adaptation?

Distinctive color patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a gene that has multiple effects?

Pleiotrophy Signup and view all the answers

Why is the kea's strong beak not an adaptation for attacking sheep?

The beak evolved for a different purpose before the arrival of sheep Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of genetic uniformity in humans?

It is a characteristic of a relatively genetically uniform species Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between an adaptation and a mutation?

An adaptation is a result of natural selection, while a mutation is a random genetic change Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a preadaptation in animals?

The kea's strong beak for attacking sheep Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adaptations

An adaptation is a feature of an organism that provides a selective advantage, and its presence is due to the advantage it gives.
Biologists may have different definitions of adaptation, but it is a key concept in understanding the evolution of life.

Types of Adaptations

Morphological adaptations: e.g. camouflage, changes in body shape or structure that aid survival.
Active camouflage: ability to change colour to match surroundings, found in cephalopods, fish, lizards, and crab spiders.
Behavioural adaptations: e.g. Venus Flytrap's trap-like leaves, social behaviours like communication and cooperation.
Adaptations can extend beyond the individual's body, e.g. a bird's nest, a spider's web, or a beaver's dam.

Examples of Adaptations

Topoisomerase 2: an enzyme that detangles DNA, preventing it from becoming tangled and unusable during DNA replication.
Giant redwood's network of xylem capillaries: lifts around a ton of water a day 115 metres up the tree to the leaves.
Honey fungus Armillaria's genetic fingerprinting system: allows clones to communicate and fuse to form a single individual organism, making it the largest known living organism on earth.

Detecting Adaptations

Experiments and observations can help determine if a trait is an adaptation.
The comparative method: comparing many species to judge whether a feature is an adaptation, taking into account history.
Measuring the speed of evolution: very slow or very fast evolution, relative to the mutation rate, indicates a well-adapted or currently adapting sequence.
Within-species adaptations: humans have some examples of adaptations, such as lactase persistence in adults.

Considerations

Culture/learned behaviour: must be careful when calling something an adaptation, as it may be learned rather than encoded in genes.
Preadaptation: a feature that evolved for one purpose but proves handy for another, e.g. the kea's beak.
Pleiotrophy: when a gene has more than one effect, e.g. a domesticated fox's colour pattern correlated with sociability towards humans.

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Description

Learn about adaptations, their role in giving selective advantage, and explore examples of active camouflage in various animal groups, including cephalopods, fish, lizards, and chameleons.