Name: _________________________ Date: _______________ Period: ____

Temperature - Adaptations - Behavior - Light

Endangered Plants - Endangered AnimalsEnvironmental Changes - pH

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Heredity or Environment?Understanding genetics and the DNA code allows us to understand and predict how traits are passed from parents to offspring during reproduction. Some traits, however, are affected by both genetics and interactions with the environment. For example, identical twins have exactly the same genes but could develop differently if their nutrition or other conditions in the environment are not the same.

The effects of some genes can be changed by environmental conditions such as amount of sunlight, chemicals, temperature, or nutrition. Temperature plays an important role in the development of dark points on the legs, tail, and face of some cat breeds. Siamese cats are born almost white, and develop dark points as they get older because of body temperature differences. The cooler areas of the cat’s body, such as nose, ears legs and tail, get darker. The torso area of the cat remains lighter because body temperature is warmer. This is an example of how an environmental factor, temperature, plays a role in the expression of an inherited trait.

Temperature:Temperature can also cause the color of an arctic fox’s coat to change according to the season. Temperature-sensitive chemicals in the skin of the fox produce pigments that darken the coat during the warm summer months. During the cold winter months, the pigments are not produced, which results in a white winter coat for the arctic fox. The change in color helps to camouflage the fox during each season because the white winter coat blends in with the snow, and the brown summer coat blends in with the grasses and soil.

Explore the following websites and answer the corresponding questions.

1. http://www3.northern.edu/natsource/MAMMALS/Longta1.htm

How is the North American Long Tailed Weasel similar to the Arctic Fox?

Is its fur color change a genetic or environmental response?

What evidence would we need to prove that the fur changing colors would be in response to an environmental factor?

2. http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/arctic/Afox.html

Why do you think the fur needs to change each season?

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What would happen if its fur always remained white?

3. http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/cold_penguins.htm

Name two ways penguins have adapted to the cold temperatures of their environment.

Why don’t their feet freeze since they are not covered with blubber?

4. http://wc.pima.edu/Bfiero/tucsonecology/adaptations/adaptations_home.htmHow have plants and animals in this environment adapted to their environment?

Look at the picture of the jackrabbit. How do his ears help him survive in this environment?

Light:The amount of light is another factor that can affect the coat conditions of animals. Providing extra hours of artificial light during fall and winter can prevent animals from growing a thick winter coat. People who raise and show livestock often regulate the amount of light in the animal’s stall to maintain a sleek show coat throughout the year. They must also blanket the animal to keep them warm during the cold months, which also prevents the growth of a long winter coat.

Explore the following websites and answer the corresponding questions.

1. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/carnivora/polar-bear.htm

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What color is a polar bear’s skin?

How does this help the polar bear survive in a sometimes-extreme environment?

What might happen to the bears if all of the arctic regions where they live were to melt as the global temperature rises?

2. http://www.seasky.org/monsters/sea7a1m.html

How does the angler fish use light to adapt to its environment?

What kind of light does the angler fish use?

Based on what you know, where do you think the anglerfish would live?

pH:Plant growth and coloration are also affected by environmental conditions. Most plants grow toward light because it is needed for photosynthesis. Many flowering plants bloom during the summer while receiving many hours of sunlight. Other flowering plants bloom when days are shorter such as in the fall season. Chemicals in the soil can also affect growth and blooming in plants. Some plants, like hydrangeas, will bloom in different colors depending on the chemistry of the soil.

Explore the following websites and answer the corresponding questions.

1. http://www.flowersbulbs.com/ql_hydrangea_color.htmWhat does pH measure?

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What colors do the flowers turn as the soil becomes more acidic?

How do you think this response to soil pH benefits the hydrangea?

2. http://www.ehow.com/facts_4885632_can-change-color-plant.html

Name the pigments in plants and the colors of blooms they create.

How do you change the color of a rose?

How is changing the color of a rose similar to the way you change hydrangea color?

What other adaptation does the rose have? Why does the rose have this adaptation?

3. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/plants/story2/flowerframe.htm

How is this flower different from the other flowers mentioned in the other two websites?

Is the color change in the flower a response to heredity or environment?

How might this color change be detrimental to the flower species?

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Behavior:Sometimes plants and animals will learn different behaviors to help them adapt and survive in new environments. Penguins, for example, are great swimmers and can perform exciting tricks in the water because they often have to escape predators!

Explore the following websites and answer the corresponding questions.

1. http://www.desertusa.com/survive.html

How do animals retain water (be specific)?

How does this enable them to survive in this climate?

What would happen if these animals could not learn these behaviors?

2. http://www.llamaweb.com/about/behavior.html

Behaviorally, what do llamas focus on more: vision or hearing? Why?

What role might spitting play in the survival of llamas?

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3. http://www.pbs.org/kratts/world/index.html You must click on Antarctica and then King Penguin.

List 2 behaviors the King Penguin exhibits to help it survive?

How do you think the King Penguin became “amazing fish acrobats”?

Natural Selection

Adaptations of Organisms:Not only do humans have variations or differences that make them different, organisms in other populations have variations or differences. Some members of a population have variations that make them more likely to survive in their environment. For example, white rabbits are much more likely to be camouflaged from predators in a snowy, arctic environment than dark brown rabbits. In time, there would be more white rabbits in the population because more white rabbits would live long enough to reproduce than brown rabbits. A variation that helps an organism survive is called an adaptation. Adaptations provide some improved function and are produced by natural selection.

Click on each link below and answer the questions that follow:

1. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIE5Adaptation.shtmlWhat causes adaptations?

Name three (3) forms that adaptation may take.

Provide three (3) examples of adaptations and a picture of each adaptation.

Adaption Picture

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2. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIE5dQualifying.shtml

List and describe the four (4) parameters that must be met in order for a change to qualify as an adaptation.

3. http://www.normanbirdsanctuary.org/beak_adaptations.shtml

Use link 1 "The Norman Bird Sanctuary - Bird Adaptations - Beaks" to list 4 types of bird beaks and their adaptation.

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Use link 2 "The Norman Bird Sanctuary - Bird Adaptions - Feet" to list 4 types of bird feet and the purpose of their adaption.

Environmental changes caused by natural events:

During the history of the Earth, there have been many changes in the abiotic and biotic factors of the habitats and ecosystems. Some of these changes have been caused by natural events, such as tectonic plate movement, climate changes, or volcanic activity. Organisms whose variations allowed them to adapt to these changes over a period of time were able to survive and reproduce. Organisms that are not able to adapt, such as the dinosaurs, dwindled in numbers and died out, or became extinct.

Click on each link below and answer the questions that follow:

1. http://park.org/Canada/Museum/extinction/extincmenu.html

How long ago did the End-Cretaceous (K-T) extinction occur and what percentage of the earth's species died?

Why is the K-T boundary (or Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary) important evidence in determining the reason for this massive extinction?

What are the two (2) major theories of what caused the extinction?

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The Ordovician Mass Extinction is considered the second most devastating extinction in earth's history, what do paleontologists believe caused the extensive glaciation and sea-level lowering?

What are three (3) natural events that have caused changes in abiotic and biotic factors in the environment?

Environmental changes caused by human activities:

More recently, some human activities have caused changes that are threatening many species with extinction. Changes in habitat or habitat loss due to development for housing or businesses are causing a rapid decrease in wildlife population. Pollution, pesticide use, and the introduction of species that are not native to areas have also caused dwindling numbers of many species. Many biologists are concerned that unless we take steps to save these endangered species, we may lose them forever.

Click on each link below and answer the questions that follow:

1. http://park.org/Canada/Museum/extinction/holmass.html

How long has the Holocene Mass Extinction been occurring? Why is this time period significant?

What are four human activities that have caused changes that are threatening many species with extinction?

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2. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html

What is climate change according to the EPA, and what three (3) things may cause climate change?What is Global Warming?

List three (3) things people can do at home to reduce the Global Warming threat?

List the nine simple steps listed on the EPA "What You Can Do - At Home" website. Which one do you feel will have the greatest significance, and why?

Endangered Animals:

Natural Selection is a process that occurs "naturally". It is the process by which nature dictates that the strong organisms of a species will survive and, therefore, the strong genetic variations will be transferred to offspring while weak variations of genes will die out with the weak organisms of the species. Natural Selection assures the survival of the species. Or does it?

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During the history of the Earth, there have been many changes in the abiotic and biotic factors of the habitats and ecosystems. Some of these changes have been caused by natural events, such as tectonic plate movement, climate changes, or volcanic activity. Organisms whose variations allowed then to adapt to these changes over a period of time were able to survive and reproduce. Organisms that were not able to adapt, such as dinosaurs, dwindled in numbers and died out, or became extinct.

More recently, some human activities have caused changes that are threatening many species with extinction. Changes in habitat or habitat loss due to development for housing or businesses are causing the rapid decrease in wildlife population. Pollution, pesticide use, and the introduction of species that are not native to areas have also caused dwindling numbers of many species. Many biologists are concerned that unless we take steps to save these endangered species, we may lose them forever.

Click on each link below and answer the questions that follow:

1. http://www.endangeredspecie.com/

What causes Endangerment of Species?

Why save Endangered Species?

How can you help Endangered Species?

2. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-30-2002-9767.asp

How many plant and animal species are considered endangered?

What has caused this endangerment?

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Why is it important for humans to prevent animal and plant extinction?

3. http://kidsplanet.org/factsheets/esa.html

What is the Endangered Species Act?

How does a species get listed as Endangered?

How are listed species protected?

Choose three (3) Endangered species from this link or from http://www.endangeredspecie.comYou will need: (A) Picture of each animal, (B) Tell why it is endangered or threatened, (C) Tell how it is being protected.

Picture Why is it endangered? How is it being Protected?

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Endangered Plants:

Natural Selection is a process that occurs "naturally". It is the process by which nature dictates that the strong organisms of a species will survive and, therefore, the strong genetic variations will be transferred to offspring while weak variations of genes will die out with the weak organisms of the species. Natural Selection assures the survival of the species. Or does it?

During the history of the Earth, there have been many changes in the abiotic and biotic factors of the habitats and ecosystems. Some of these changes have been caused by natural events, such as tectonic plate movement, climate changes, or volcanic activity. Organisms whose variations allowed then to adapt to these changes over a period of time were able to survive and reproduce. Organisms that were not able to adapt, such as dinosaurs, dwindled in numbers and died out, or became extinct.

More recently, some human activities have caused changes that are threatening many species with extinction. Changes in habitat or habitat loss due to development for housing or businesses are causing the rapid decrease in wildlife population. Pollution, pesticide use, and the introduction of species that are not native to areas have also caused dwindling numbers of many species. Many biologists are concerned that unless we take steps to save these endangered species, we may lose them forever.

Click on each link below and answer the questions that follow:

1. http://library.thinkquest.org/5802/newpage2.htm

What are the three (3) main reasons plants are endangered?

What is the "Venus Fly Trap" and why is it endangered?

Provide a picture.

What is the "Arizona Cliffrose" and why is it endangered?

Provide a picture.

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What is the "Pitcher Plant" and why is it endangered?

Provide a picture.

2. http://www.eco-pros.com/endangeredspecies.htm

How do we protect endangered plants?

What is the U.S. Endangered Species Act?

Why is it important to save plants from endangerment or extinction?

3. http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/gla/tesweb/plants/Plants_Main.htm

Choose three (3) endangered plants from this link. You will Need: (A) Picture of each plant, (B) Tell why it is endangered or threatened, (C) Tell how it is being protected.

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Picture Why is it endangered? How is it being Protected?

Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 400 Years:

Natural Selection is a process that occurs "naturally". It is the process by which nature dictates that the strong organisms of a species will survive and, therefore, the strong genetic variations will be transferred to offspring while weak variations of genes will die out with the weak organisms of the species. Natural Selection assures the survival of the species. Or does it?

During the history of the Earth, there have been many changes in the abiotic and biotic factors of the habitats and ecosystems. Some of these changes have been caused by natural events, such as tectonic plate movement, climate changes, or volcanic activity. Organisms whose variations allowed then to adapt to these changes over a period of time were able to survive and reproduce. Organisms that were not able to adapt, such as dinosaurs, dwindled in numbers and died out, or became extinct.

More recently, some human activities have caused changes that are threatening many species with extinction. Changes in habitat or habitat loss due to development for housing or businesses are causing the rapid decrease in wildlife population. Pollution, pesticide use, and the introduction of species that are not native to areas have also

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caused dwindling numbers of many species. Many biologists are concerned that unless we take steps to save these endangered species, we may lose them forever.Click on each link below and answer the questions that follow:

1. http://extinct.petermaas.nl/

What is extinction?

Why is extinction a natural feature of Evolution?

Why is it important that Extinction remains a natural process and not be caused by human interference in natural ecosystems?

2. http://www.50birds.com/extan/gextanimals1.htm

Choose three (3) extinct plants and three (3) extinct animals from this link that became extinct in the last 400 years.

You will need:(A) Picture of each plant and animal,(B) Tell how it became extinct,(C) Did it become extinct through a natural process or through human activity?

Picture of Plant or Animal

How did it become extinct?

How did it become extinct? (Natural or Man)

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