The adaptation of living beings is the ability to guarantee the survival of a species in the environment in which it lives. This adaptation includes moving from the environment in which adaptation was impossible, and adapting to a different one.
Adaptation is an evolutionary process, in which each generation shows physiological, anatomical and behavioral changes with which the individual will be able to cope with the changes or impacts that are generated in the environment in which they reside.
There are specific characteristics that differentiate the species and generate curiosity about their particularity.
Even, in the same species, the adaptive characteristics can vary from region to region.
A flower with thorns, animals that reach great speed, mimicry in nature, slanted eyes, among other characteristics, are elements that obey adaptation.
Relationship between evolution and adaptation
The interaction of living beings with the environment generates an impact on their genetic information.
This impact produces changes in organisms to achieve adaptation. The change will affect future species, which is why it is considered that there is an evolution of it.
There is a very famous theory supported by scientists and scholars of living things. Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace promoted the theory of evolution by natural selection. This was based on the observation of a variety of species for years.
These theories state that species are not static, but evolve to survive or become extinct.
Each evolutionary process is gradual over generations. Similar species are believed to be descended from the same ancestor.
For both scholars, this system is presented in two phases. One indicates that the changes are voluntary in individuals and the other that the species that change to adapt transmit these changes to their offspring for the species to survive.
For example, some species of rats are known to pass on information about the famous rat poison, causing smaller rats not to consume it.
8 examples of evolutionary adaptation
1-The slanted eyes of the Mongols are part of the evolution of the species to meet the need they had to adapt to desert areas, where sand storms occurred.
2-The genes of brown people have evolved, even darkening their skin, to survive in areas where sunlight is very intense.
3-In the case of birds, it is said that the need to fly made them evolve to move through the air. Also, due to the lack of teeth, their beaks were lengthened to allow them to obtain their food.
4-In humans vestigial organs are observed, such as excess hair on the arms.
5-Herbivorous animals tend to be very quick to escape from their predators. Additionally, their eyes are located on the sides of their head to see if their predators are lurking.
6-Animals that can camouflage themselves manage to escape going unnoticed in the eyes of their predators.
7-In the case of areas where there is little humidity, plants have developed textures in their leaves to conserve humidity as long as possible. Some have spines that allow you to regulate the temperature.
8-Carnivorous animals have developed claws to hold their prey and sharper teeth to tear the meat they devour.
References
- EUNED. (sf). Organization, Function and Ecology in Living Things. Basic concepts. EUNED.
- Flores, RC (2004). Biology 1. Editorial Progreso.
- Grassé, P.-P. (2013). Evolution of Living Organisms: Evidence for a New Theory of Transformation. Paris: Academic Press.
- Parker, S. (2006). Adaptation. United Kingdom: Heinemann Library.
- Walker, D. (2006). Adaptation and Survival. London: Evans Brothers.