Adaptations
Over 8.7 million species are found on Earth, with some thriving in the most hostile environments on the planet. This is thanks to the adaptations they have evolved over millions of years.
Curriculum Outcomes
Stage 4 Science and Technology
- SC4-14LW A student relates to the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction
- SC4-15LW A student explains how new biological evidence changes people's understanding of the world
Stage 5 Science and Technology
- SC5-14LW A student analyses interactions between components and processes within biological systems
Stage 6 Biological Diversity
- BIO11-10 A student describes biological diversity by explaining the relationships between a range of organisms in terms of specialisation for selected habitats and evolution of species
Key Inquiry Questions
- How do adaptations increase the organism’s ability to survive?
- Conduct practical investigations, individually or in teams, or use secondary sources to examine the adaptations of organisms that increase their ability to survive in their environment, including: structural adaptations, physiological adaptations, behavioural adaptations
General Capabilities
- Literacy capability
- Numeracy capability
- Information and Communication Technology capability
- Critical and Creative Thinking capability
- Personal and Social capability
- Ethical Understanding capability
- Intercultural Understanding capability.
Teacher Resources
How to use this resource in the classroom
Download the Curriculum Map (PDF~111KB) for suggested teaching and learning activities for each syllabus outcome.
Additional activities & classroom resources:
- Animal and Plant Adaptations
- Icefish blood adaptations: Antifreeze proteins, Blood viscosity
- How does hibernation work? TedEd Lesson [Website link]
- Can Wildlife Adapt to Climate Change? TedEd Lesson
- Sample procedures for Modelling Adaptations to Heat activity - (PDF~84.6KB)
- Sample procedures for Modelling Adaptations to Cold activity - (PDF~505KB)
Extension activities (suitable for Stage 5-6 students):
- Investigate the Rock Pocket Mice case study further by modelling changes in the Rock Pocket Mice population in this simulation [Download Teacher Guide (PDF~120KB)]
- Engage students in formative assessment using the Interactive Assessment for Natural Selection and Adaptation, centred on the Rock Pocket Mice case study
- Investigate another case study of Natural Selection and evolved traits using this simulation and game
- Explore the origins of muscles, nerves, and other animal adaptations through a study of the fascinating phylum Cnidaria [Download Teacher Resource (PDF~3.23MB)]
Additional reading for teachers
- Australian flora: evolution and adaptation
- No Plants, No Animals – Branch Out Podcast, S01E03
- Rainforest in Australia
- Succulents – Plants for the garden in a changing environment
- Carnivorous Plant Adaptations
- Deceptive and dangerous stingers
- Climate change and future-proofing plants
- Bold and aggressive behaviour means birds thrive in cities
- 10 species that are evolving due to the changing climate
Plants and animals have in-built adaptations borne out of an evolutionary arms race.
Humans are around 300,000 years, yet we have the dominant influence on the Earth's climate and environment.