Adaptations may be anatomical, physiological or behavioural
Adaptations are features that help an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. They fall into three types: structural (body shape or parts), chemical/functional (internal processes), or behavioural (what the organism does).
Real World
The Arctic fox shows all three types simultaneously: white winter fur (anatomical), the ability to slow metabolism in extreme cold (physiological), and caching food under snow for winter (behavioural).
Exam Focus
If asked to 'classify' an adaptation, name the type and justify it — stating 'physiological because it involves an internal biochemical process' earns the explanation mark.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
How well did you know this?