CLASS 7 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Environmental factors and adaptations – basic principles

How it works

Environmental factors are external influences that affect living organisms. Abiotic factors such as temperature, light, water and soil are distinguished from biotic factors such as predators, competition and parasites. Living organisms show short-term reactions to environmental factors, for example molting or growth toward light. This is not the same as an evolutionary adaptation. Adaptations are heritable traits or abilities that become more common in populations over many generations through selection. They can be morphological, physiological or behavioral and increase the chances of survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Note
Individual living organisms can react to environmental factors in the short term; however, biological adaptations arise in populations over many generations and are advantageous in a specific environment.

An example

An animal changes between summer fur and winter fur. Is that a new adaptation every year?

No. The fur change itself is a short-term reaction to environmental stimuli such as day length and temperature. The ability to change between summer and winter fur is an adaptation to seasonal environmental conditions.

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50 Exercises

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Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Biology. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.