Define phenotypic adaptation. Give one example.
Solution and Explanation
Phenotypic adaptation involves changes in the body of an organism in response to genetic mutation or certain environmental changes. These responsive adjustments occur in an organism in order to cope with environmental conditions present in their natural habitats.
For example, desert plants have thick cuticles and sunken stomata on the surface of their leaves to prevent transpiration. Similarly elephants have long ears that act as thermoregulators.
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A school is organizing a debate competition with participants as speakers and judges. $ S = \{S_1, S_2, S_3, S_4\} $ where $ S = \{S_1, S_2, S_3, S_4\} $ represents the set of speakers. The judges are represented by the set: $ J = \{J_1, J_2, J_3\} $ where $ J = \{J_1, J_2, J_3\} $ represents the set of judges. Each speaker can be assigned only one judge. Let $ R $ be a relation from set $ S $ to $ J $ defined as: $ R = \{(x, y) : \text{speaker } x \text{ is judged by judge } y, x \in S, y \in J\} $.
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Concepts Used:
Organisms and their Environments
Ecology is the branch of biology that involves the study of the interactions that takes place between an organism and its environment. Any biological organization consists of 4 levels, namely, Organisms, Populations, Biomes, and Communities.
Organisms:
An Organism is an attached living system that lives in an environment. They are able to retain specific behaviours and structure such as bacteria, fungi, plants, animals, and humans. A population is formed by the collection of all these organisms. The collection of population forms a community that helps in the operation of ecosystems.
Environment:
The study of the interaction of organisms in an area with the surrounding environment is Ecology. This interaction constitutes an overall adaptation of the organisms to their environment that also includes the continuity of species.
The environment comprises of both biotic (living things) and abiotic components (non-living things)
Food Chain:
Food Chain is the transfer of food energy from the plant source through a series of organisms that consume and are consumed.
Grass(Producer) → Deer(Herbivore) → Tiger(Carnivore), Grass(Producers) → Insect(Herbivores) → Frog(Carnivores) → Snake(Secondary Carnivore).
Food Web:
Food web is the interlocking pattern of multiple food chains in the ecosystem. In this, many food chains are interconnected and there are increased possibilities of eating and getting eaten by different organisms of various species.