Adaptions of Living Things: Movement Through Fluids

Background• Features that allow a living thing to

survive in its environment are called adaptations.

• Adaptations may be body parts, abilities and skills, or behaviours.

• Birds, bats, sharks, and dandelion seeds all have something in common.

•

• The survival of each of these species, as well as many thousands of others, relies on its ability to move efficiently through a fluid, be it air or water.

• The parachute-like tufts of dandelion fruits and the helicopter –like motion of the winged fruit of maple trees, for example, are adaptations that have allowed these plants to survive.

• The characteristic form that varies with each air and water creature has come about through countless generations of adaptations.

• Streamlined shape, lightweight bones, and powerful muscles are but a few of these adaptations.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtYTZDlVZHo bird pics

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ysATS8g-ac how birds fly

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuVkw9Dlguc&feature=related 14min video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmP3hlzFvco fish swim

Activity One• Birds of flight!! Pictures.• Discuss the features of the birds.• These features , some of which allow

birds to fly, are called adaptations.• An adaptation can be physical or

behavioural; it allows a living thing to survive in its environment.

• What adaptations (features) allow a bird to fly?

• How does the bird move in flight?

• Characteristics birds have- wings, feathers, body shape and???

• Other than birds, what else can move through air?

• Insects archery arrows• Batsseeds• Planes• Hang gliders• Rockets• Darts• Lawn darts

• Pictures of fish, sharks, whale.• Adaptations for swimming

• What adaptations allow this animal to swim through water?

• How does this animal move as it swims?

• Streamlined almost bullet like- shape or the water creature.

• Other objects that travel through water.• What other living things and objects

can move through water?• Humans• Boats• Surfboards• Submarines • Etc?

• Make a collage of different living things that are well adapted to moving through water and air.

• Do the creatures that move through air have feathers?

• Do all creatures that move through water have a streamlined shape?

• Do any plants/seeds travel by air? If so, what are their shapes?

• What are some differences between two species of birds?

• What so you think the reasons are for these differences?

• What are some differences between two species of water creatures?

• What do you think the reasons are for these differences?

• What are the main characteristics of air and water creatures that enable them to move?

• Complete activity sheet 2.1.1