BRAINCAKEAnatomical Adaptation
Anatomical adaptations are structural features of an organism's body, inside or outside. They include body shape, size, colour and the structure of organs and tissues.
Animals in cold climates
The Arctic fox has small ears and a compact rounded body. These reduce its surface area to volume ratio, so less heat is lost. Thick fur and a layer of fat (blubber in seals and whales) insulate the body. White winter fur provides camouflage against snow.
Animals in hot climates
The fennec fox of the Sahara has very large ears with many blood vessels, which increase heat loss. Desert kangaroo rats have very long loops of Henle in their kidneys, so they can produce very concentrated urine and lose little water.
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Key terms in this lesson
- xerophyte
- A plant adapted to survive in a habitat with very little available water.
More in Natural Selection
- The Theory of Evolution
- Neo-Darwinism
- Adaptation
- Physiological Adaptation
- Behavioural Adaptation
- Grayling Butterflies
- Fungal Carnivores
- The Same Species in Different Environments
All 29 lessons in Natural Selection · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics