Week
Topic
Learning Outcome
1
Introduction to Adaptation
  • Able to recognise the different kinds of Adaptations
  • The Purpose of Adaptation.
1/2
Environmental Factors
  • Able to name the different environmental factors that impact upon an organism.
  • Able to identify whether an impact is biotic of abiotic.
  • Able to discuss the repercussions of a particular environmental change.
2
Structural Adaptations
  • Understand the purpose of organisms structures.
  • Be able to discuss the purpose of structures found within an organism.
2/3
Physiological Adaptations
* Tolerance range of organisms- maintaining equilibrium by detecting and responding to changes in the environment.
  • Nerve control in complex organisms (multicellular): major sense organs and pathways of transmission of nerve impulses
  • Hormonal control in complex multicellular organisms ie: environmental influences towards sexual mutation in animal species and sunlight orientation in plants.
  • Regulating water balance and controlling temperature- ie: osmosis and diffusion, endothermic and exothermic organisms.

4/5
Behavioural Adaptations
  • Identify individual and group behaviours.
  • Understand the Mirgation and Rhythmic activities of organisms, and the purpose.
  • Explain the territorial ranges, and how this is communicated to other individuals.
  • Various social aspects within a groups of organisms.
  • Feeding behaviours.
  • The different methods of communication.
5/6
Reproductive Adaptations
  • The reproductive strategies used by organisms
  • Development and Life cycles of an organims in relation to their reproductive ability.
7
Plant Tropisms
  • Understand the adaptations of plants that all them to survive within their niche.
  • Beable to explain the different types of responses to particular stimuli.
8
Assessment Task
  • Within this week a research project may be set to determine the students' level of understanding.
  • This may be done through having the students select a particular animal species and discuss the various adaptations that they have made to survive within their environment, and be able to reproduce.
  • Presentation of this task may be done through a Powerpoint presentation, Poster, Essay format, or creation of a 'nature documentary'.

*Please note that resources required and their relevant references are included in the 'Big Ideas' pages.