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VCE Biology – Unit 2 – Study Area 1 – **Adaptations of Organisms **

Adaptations are inherited characteristics that increase the survival and reproductive likelihood of living organisms. Adaptations that evolve in species are the result of selection pressures on them thoughout their evolution. Organisms adaptations can be structural, behavioural or physiological. The survival and success of organisms is dependent on their ability to cope with their environmental conditions.

This wiki is designed as a teaching and learning device. It is divided into eight Big Ideas within the topic, Adaptations of Organisms. We have also included a timeline for teaching, several learning activities and helpful links and resources.


 * This area of study covers the following: **
 * environmental factors: biotic and abiotic factors; availability of resources
 * structural adaptations: relating major features of organisms to survival value
 * physiological adaptations – tolerance range of organisms; maintaining equilibrium by detecting and responding to changes in environmental conditions – nerve control in complex multicellular organisms: major sense organs and pathways of transmission of nerve impulses – hormonal control in complex multicellular organisms – regulating water balance and controlling temperature
 * plant tropisms: growth responses, rhythmic activities
 * behavioural adaptations: individual and group behaviours of animals including rhythmic activities, feeding behaviours; communication; social and territorial behaviours
 * reproductive adaptations: systems and strategies; development and life cycles, and
 * techniques used to monitor environmental change and species distribution.

Reference: [|VCE Study Design]