
Age group: Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 (KS3 and 4, Ages 11–16); also available for Year 6 (KS2)
Duration: 50 minutes
Capacity: 35 students
Availabilty: 10:30, 11:30 & 12:30 Mon-Fri during term time
Intended learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
- Define an animal adaptation as a feature that allows the animal to survive in a given habitat
- Gain an understanding that some adaptations can be physical and some behavioural and be able to name 2 examples of each
- Recognise that all species show variation, and that adaptations come about over time by the process of evolution by natural selection
- Identify adaptations on real animal specimens and discuss how these help the animal to survive in its habitat
The objects from the natural world that are used in this session are loaned to us by HM Revenue and Customs.
Please be aware that though we aim to use a live animal in this session, we do not guarantee that they will be present – animals can fall ill or be unwilling to be handled and their welfare is ZSL’s first priority.
National Curriculum links:
KS3 Science - programme of study
Working scientifically
Analysis and evaluation
- interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations, measurements and data to draw conclusions
Biology
Genetics and evolution
Inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes
- the variation between species and between individuals of the same species meaning some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection
Interactions and interdependencies
Relationships in an ecosystem
- the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops
Additional Resources
- Support your students' learning before, during or after their visit with our online resources.
GCSE Exam Board Syallbi links:
AQA |
OCR |
Edexcel |
AQA Biology and Science A (2014)B1.4 Interdependence and Adaptation
B1.4.1. Adaptations d) Organisms have features that enable them to survive in the conditions in which they normally live. f) Animals and plants may be adapted for survival in the conditions where they normally live, e.g. deserts, the Arctic. g) Animals and plants may be adapted to cope with specific features of their environment
B1.4.2. Environmental Change a) Changes in the environment affect the distribution of living organisms |
OCR GCSE Biology A (2014)3.4.3 Module B3: Life on EarthB3.2.3. understand that there is variation between individuals of the same species and that some of this variation is genetic so can be passed on to offspring OCR GCSE Biology B (2014)Module B2: Understanding Our Environment Item B2e: Adaptations
Item B2f: Natural SelectionUnderstand Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection |
Edexcel GCSE in Biology 2BIO1Unit B1: Influences on lifeTopic 1: Classification, variation and inheritance1.11 Explain how organisms are adapted to their environment and how some organisms have characteristics that enable them to survive in extreme environments, including deep-sea hydrothermal vents and polar regions 1.12a Variation – most populations of organisms contain individuals which vary slightly from one to another 1.16b Environmental variation – different characteristics caused by an organism’s environment |