Adaptation of Organisms to their habitats Basic Science JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 2

Term: First Term

Week: 2

Age: 12-13 years

Topic: Adaptation of Living Organisms to Their Habitats

Sub-topic: Types and Examples of Adaptation

Duration: 60 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define adaptation and explain its importance to living organisms.
2. Identify different types of adaptations (structural, behavioral, physiological).
3. Give examples of how specific organisms are adapted to their habitats.

Keywords:

• Adaptation
• Habitat
• Structural Adaptation
• Behavioral Adaptation
• Physiological Adaptation

Set Induction:

The teacher will begin the lesson by showing pictures or videos of animals like camels in the desert, polar bears in the Arctic, and fish in water. The teacher will ask students how these animals are suited to their environments.

Entry Behavior:

Students have a basic understanding of living organisms and their environments from previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Pictures or videos of various animals and plants in different habitats
• Charts showing different types of adaptations
• Flashcards with adaptation examples
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will ask students to recall the different environments or habitats they learned about and discuss how animals and plants might survive in those environments.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Observation skills
• Environmental awareness

Learning Materials:

• Basic Science textbooks
• Science magazines with images of different habitats

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Comprehensive Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools
• Understanding Basic Science for JSS

Instructional Materials:

• Pictures or videos of organisms in different habitats
• Flashcards with various examples of adaptations

Content:

Adaptation of Living Organisms to Their Habitats:

1. Definition of Adaptation:
   Adaptation is the process by which organisms become better suited to their environment in order to survive, reproduce, and avoid predators.
2. Types of Adaptations:
   • Structural Adaptation:
     Physical features of an organism that enhance its survival. Example: The thick fur of a polar bear helps it to stay warm in cold climates.
   • Behavioral Adaptation:
     Actions or behaviors that help an organism survive in its habitat. Example: Birds migrating to warmer regions during winter.
   • Physiological Adaptation:
     Internal processes that help an organism survive in its environment. Example: A camel’s ability to conserve water in the desert.
3. Examples of Adaptation in Different Habitats:
   • Desert Adaptation:
     Camels have long eyelashes to protect their eyes from sand and can store water in their humps.
   • Aquatic Adaptation:
     Fish have gills that allow them to extract oxygen from water.
   • Arctic Adaptation:
     Polar bears have a layer of fat beneath their skin for insulation against the cold.
   • Forest Adaptation:
     Monkeys have long limbs and tails for swinging through trees.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is adaptation?
   a) A form of reproduction
   b) A change in behavior due to environment
   c) A process that makes organisms better suited to their environment
   d) A method of finding food
2. Which of the following is an example of structural adaptation?
   a) Birds flying south for the winter
   b) Thick fur on a polar bear
   c) Camels storing fat in their humps
   d) Fish swimming in schools
3. Which type of adaptation involves changes in an organism’s behavior?
   a) Structural adaptation
   b) Behavioral adaptation
   c) Physiological adaptation
   d) Environmental adaptation
4. How do camels survive in the desert?
   a) By growing fur
   b) By storing water in their humps
   c) By flying
   d) By hibernating
5. What type of adaptation allows fish to live in water?
   a) Behavioral adaptation
   b) Structural adaptation
   c) Physiological adaptation
   d) Environmental adaptation
6. Why do polar bears have a thick layer of fat?
   a) To make them swim faster
   b) To help them climb trees
   c) To insulate them from the cold
   d) To help them run faster
7. An example of a behavioral adaptation is ______.
   a) Thick fur on a polar bear
   b) A bird migrating to a warmer region
   c) Gills on a fish
   d) Webbed feet on a duck
8. What is the main function of gills in fish?
   a) To help them move faster
   b) To protect them from predators
   c) To extract oxygen from water
   d) To store food
9. Which type of adaptation is involved when plants have deep roots to reach water?
   a) Structural adaptation
   b) Behavioral adaptation
   c) Physiological adaptation
   d) Environmental adaptation
10. Which of the following is NOT an adaptation to a cold environment?
    a) Thick fur
    b) Layer of fat
    c) Large ears
    d) Small body size
11. How do monkeys adapt to life in the forest?
    a) By growing thick fur
    b) By developing long limbs and tails for swinging
    c) By migrating during winter
    d) By storing food in their bodies
12. An animal’s ability to hibernate during winter is an example of ______.
    a) Structural adaptation
    b) Behavioral adaptation
    c) Physiological adaptation
    d) Environmental adaptation
13. Which type of adaptation allows a cactus to survive in the desert?
    a) Structural adaptation
    b) Behavioral adaptation
    c) Physiological adaptation
    d) Environmental adaptation
14. What kind of adaptation helps birds fly long distances?
    a) Structural adaptation
    b) Behavioral adaptation
    c) Physiological adaptation
    d) Environmental adaptation
15. Why do aquatic plants have flexible stems?
    a) To store food
    b) To withstand water currents
    c) To absorb more sunlight
    d) To protect themselves from herbivores

Class Activity Discussion:

1. Q: What is adaptation, and why is it important for living organisms?
   A: Adaptation is the process by which organisms become better suited to their environment to survive, reproduce, and avoid predators.
2. Q: Can you give an example of a structural adaptation in animals?
   A: An example of a structural adaptation is the thick fur of a polar bear, which helps it stay warm in cold climates.
3. Q: How do behavioral adaptations help animals survive?
   A: Behavioral adaptations, like birds migrating to warmer regions during winter, help animals avoid harsh environmental conditions.
4. Q: What physiological adaptations do camels have to survive in the desert?
   A: Camels have the ability to conserve water and can store fat in their humps, which they can convert into energy and water when needed.
5. Q: Can you name a plant adaptation and explain its purpose?
   A: Cacti have thick, fleshy stems that store water, allowing them to survive in arid desert environments.
6. Q: Why do aquatic animals like fish have gills?
   A: Fish have gills that allow them to extract oxygen from water, enabling them to live and breathe underwater.
7. Q: How do animals like polar bears stay warm in freezing temperatures?
   A: Polar bears have a thick layer of fat under their skin and dense fur that provides insulation against the cold.
8. Q: Why is it important for some animals to have behavioral adaptations like hibernation?
   A: Hibernation allows animals to conserve energy and survive when food is scarce during winter.
9. Q: How does the long tail of a monkey help it in its habitat?
   A: A monkey’s long tail helps it balance and swing through the trees in the forest, allowing it to move easily in its environment.
10. Q: What kind of environment would require an organism to develop physiological adaptations?
    A: Harsh environments like deserts or polar regions often require organisms to develop physiological adaptations like water conservation or insulation.
11. Q: Can you describe a behavioral adaptation seen in birds?
    A: One behavioral adaptation in birds is migration, where they fly to warmer climates during winter to find food and avoid the cold.
12. Q: What kind of structural adaptation helps plants survive in windy areas?
    A: Plants in windy areas often have deep roots or flexible stems that help them withstand strong winds.
13. Q: Why might some animals need to develop physiological adaptations to survive?
    A: Physiological adaptations help animals survive extreme conditions, such as conserving water in deserts or maintaining body heat in cold environments.
14. Q: How do adaptations contribute to the survival of species over time?
    A: Adaptations increase an organism’s chances of survival, allowing it to live longer, reproduce, and pass on its genes to the next generation.
15. Q: Can you think of a way humans have adapted to their environments?
    A: Humans have adapted by developing clothing, shelter, and technology that allows them to live in various climates, from hot deserts to freezing polar regions.

Presentation:

Step 1: Review the previous lesson on the characteristics of living organisms and their environments.
Step 2: Introduce the concept of adaptation, explaining its importance and the different types.
Step 3: Show examples of organisms in different habitats and discuss their adaptations. Engage students by asking them to think of more examples.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the concept of adaptation using clear examples.
• Guide students through the different types of adaptations, using pictures and videos.
• Encourage students to think critically and contribute examples from their own experiences.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in discussions by answering questions.
• Work in groups to identify adaptations in different organisms.
• Present their findings to the class.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Define adaptation and explain its importance.
2. What are the three types of adaptations? Give an example of each.
3. How do camels survive in the desert?
4. Why do fish have gills?
5. How does thick fur help animals in cold regions?
6. What is behavioral adaptation? Provide an example.
7. Describe a physiological adaptation in animals.
8. How do aquatic plants adapt to their environment?
9. What role do adaptations play in the survival of species?
10. Can you think of any human adaptations?

Conclusion:

The teacher will summarize the key points of the lesson, provide feedback on student contributions, and assign homework where students identify adaptations in various organisms in their environment.

More Useful Links:

• Meaning and Types of Habitats