Adaptations
Adaptations are features of an organism which allow it to survive in its niche, ultimately allowing it to reproduce. Adaptations can be structural, behavioural or physiological. Structural adaptations are physical features of an organism, behavioural is something the organism does and physiological adaptations are chemical processes an organism uses to survive. Each adaptation an organism has, has a purpose to help it survive in its niche.
Green Chiton
The Green Chiton has adaptations that allow it to occupy its niche in the lower tidal region of Cable Bay. A structural adaptation is the formation of its plates. It has eight horizontal valves that run parallel to one another, connected by muscles and a girdle. This structure allows …show more content…
However, this technique is less effective on bird predators as they are terrestrial organisms. This need to be submerged results in the Green Chiton living towards the low tide mark where they are underwater the majority of the day, a contributing factor in their pattern of zonation.
The mobile nature of Green Chiton also allows it to avoid detection by predators. It allows the organism to move to sheltered areas during the day. Its ability to move is a structural adaptation as it does so using its muscular foot, but its use of this to move to sheltered areas is a behavioural adaptation. Its ability to move would allow it to thrive in all areas of the intertidal zone and therefore does not contribute directly to the pattern of …show more content…
This dark colouring allows the Chiton to hold heat more effectively which is useful when submerged, as the temperature of the sea water was recorded several degrees below that of the air temperature. Being able to better insulate heat means the organism uses less energy on maintaining body heat and can be more efficient in finding food and reproducing. This adaptation is most useful in helping the organism thrive when it is submerged as sea temperature can experience low levels. It allows it to live in areas of the intertidal zone where submerged for long periods. Contrasting to this, its productive insulating ability is a disadvantage when exposed to higher air temperatures for long periods of time. If out of water for too long on warm days, the Green Chiton may overheat and desiccation could occur. This contributes to the Green Chiton living toward the low tide mark as they are submerged for 80% of the day, they could not survive living at the high tide mark where their dark exterior would readily act as an insulator and cause damage to the organism. The physiological dark colouring adaptation of Green Chiton means they are limited in time they can spend exposed to high temperatures and therefore must live primarily toward the low tide mark, contributing to the pattern of horizontal zonation along the rocky
Adaptations are features of an organism which allow it to survive in its niche, ultimately allowing it to reproduce. Adaptations can be structural, behavioural or physiological. Structural adaptations are physical features of an organism, behavioural is something the organism does and physiological adaptations are chemical processes an organism uses to survive. Each adaptation an organism has, has a purpose to help it survive in its niche.
Green Chiton
The Green Chiton has adaptations that allow it to occupy its niche in the lower tidal region of Cable Bay. A structural adaptation is the formation of its plates. It has eight horizontal valves that run parallel to one another, connected by muscles and a girdle. This structure allows …show more content…
However, this technique is less effective on bird predators as they are terrestrial organisms. This need to be submerged results in the Green Chiton living towards the low tide mark where they are underwater the majority of the day, a contributing factor in their pattern of zonation.
The mobile nature of Green Chiton also allows it to avoid detection by predators. It allows the organism to move to sheltered areas during the day. Its ability to move is a structural adaptation as it does so using its muscular foot, but its use of this to move to sheltered areas is a behavioural adaptation. Its ability to move would allow it to thrive in all areas of the intertidal zone and therefore does not contribute directly to the pattern of …show more content…
This dark colouring allows the Chiton to hold heat more effectively which is useful when submerged, as the temperature of the sea water was recorded several degrees below that of the air temperature. Being able to better insulate heat means the organism uses less energy on maintaining body heat and can be more efficient in finding food and reproducing. This adaptation is most useful in helping the organism thrive when it is submerged as sea temperature can experience low levels. It allows it to live in areas of the intertidal zone where submerged for long periods. Contrasting to this, its productive insulating ability is a disadvantage when exposed to higher air temperatures for long periods of time. If out of water for too long on warm days, the Green Chiton may overheat and desiccation could occur. This contributes to the Green Chiton living toward the low tide mark as they are submerged for 80% of the day, they could not survive living at the high tide mark where their dark exterior would readily act as an insulator and cause damage to the organism. The physiological dark colouring adaptation of Green Chiton means they are limited in time they can spend exposed to high temperatures and therefore must live primarily toward the low tide mark, contributing to the pattern of horizontal zonation along the rocky