Adaptation is the behavioral or physical change that helps organisms survive in a particular ecosystem for a longer period of time. Animals and plants adapt to the environment in different ways which is the physical or structural adaptation. So, let’s see the physical structural adaptation in animals and structural adaptation in plants with the help of an example of structural adaptation and behavioral adaptation.
1. What is a Physical or Structural Adaptation?
Physical or structural adaptation in animals and humans can be defined as the organs and cells of humans that are responsible for their hormonal changes and mood, thus helping them to adapt and survive. An example of physical adaptation is when animals are protected from cold weather by fur and thick skin which prevents the loss of heat.
Animals can survive and reproduce in the environment because of their trait of adaptation. This adaptation is called structural adaptation. The physical part of the organism is its structural adaptation. An example of structural adaptation is the adaptation of animals to survive in hot deserts. (See What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Capture Mark-Recapture Method?)
2. What is a Structural Adaptation?
The attributes of plants and animals that make them unique like their body parts or shape, color, or texture of the skin which supports their survival are their physical or structural adaptation.
An example of structural adaptation in birds is the pointed and sharp beak of a woodpecker bird which helps them to find insects. (See What are the Adaptations of Fish?)
3. What are the Types of Structural Adaptations?
Types of structural adaptations are:
- Camouflage: To protect from predators blending in with the surroundings is called coloration or camouflage.
- Mimicry: To obtain food and protect themselves animals copy the appearances or behavior of other animals like the Monarch butterfly and Viceroy butterfly.
- Bent hind legs: To protect themselves prey run faster than predators.
- Teeth: Animals that eat plants adopt flat teeth while meat eaters have sharp teeth.
Structural adaptation in plants can be seen as:
- Seeds of a plant are dispersed for their survival which is called seed adaptations.
- Plants adapt large leaves for more photosynthesis to obtain more food.
4. What is an Example of Structural Adaptation?
An example of structural adaptation in a butterfly refers to the appearance of the Monarch butterfly copied by the Viceroy butterfly and thus both can’t be differentiated physically. (See What do Newts Eat in a Pond?)
5. What is an Example of a Physical Structural Adaptation in Animals?
Examples of physical structural adaptation in animals are:
- The fur on a bear
- Bill on a bird
- Large beaks
- Webbed feet
- Sharp claws
- Feathers on wings
- The long neck of a giraffe
- The flexible jaw of a snake
- Large pointed teeth of a beaver
6. What is a Structural Adaptation of a Snake?
Snake avoids predators by blending with the environment by appearing in such a way that you cannot see them at once. This characteristic is called camouflage which is an example of structural adaptation. (See How Snakes survive in Hot Desert Conditions?)
7. Is Jumping a Structural Adaptation?
Yes, jumping is a structural adaptation in frogs. Frogs have strong legs which help them to jump and get far quickly. So, jumping is one of the physical structural adaptations in animals.
Moreover, Kangaroos travel far in less time with minimum use of their energy by jumping which is the main physical or structural adaptation also called saltatory locomotion. (Also see What are Behavioral Adaptation of Animals?)
8. What is Structural Adaptation in Plants?
They are the physical features that allow the plant to better suit the environment. Adaptation of plants like succulents in dry areas by storing water in their thick and short leaves and stems is an example of structural adaptation in plants. (See What are Main Habitats of Plants?)
9. What are 5 Examples of Behavioral Adaptations?
The 5 examples of behavioral adaptations are:
- Migration: The migration from one place to another with the change of seasons like a whale migrating to the warm water from the cold Arctic ocean covering a distance of thousands of kilometers is an example of behavioral adaptation.
- Social conduct: Animals can live alone as well as with other animals in groups.
- Protective behavior: Animals protect themselves with sudden changes in their behavior like a Rabbit which can freeze when seen by someone.
- Hibernation: Animals go inactive for winters every year.
- Camouflage: Some animals can change their color and disguise themselves depending upon their surroundings, such a situation is called camouflage.
10. What is an Example of Functional Adaptation?
The innate functions that help the survival of an organism or photosynthesis by plants are an example of functional adaptation. (See How are Cactus Adapted to Survive in a Desert?)
