Adaptation of Living Things

Certain animals and plants developcharacteristics that help them cope with their environment better than othersof their kind. This natural biological process is called adaptation. Among thesuperior characteristics developed through adaptation are those that may helpin getting food or shelter, in providing protection, and in producing andprotecting the young. That results in the evolution of more and more organismsthat are better fitted to their environments.

Each living thing is adapted to its way of lifein a general way, but each is adapted especially to its own distinct class. Aplant, for example, depends upon its roots to fix itself firmly and to absorbwater and inorganic chemicals. It depends upon its green leaves for using thesun's energy to make food from inorganic chemicals. These are generaladaptations, common to most plants. In addition, there are special adaptationsthat only certain kinds of plants have.

Many animals have adaptations that help themescape from their enemies. Some insects are hidden by their body color orshape, and many look like a leaf or a little branch. The coats of deer arecolored to mix with the surroundings. Many animals have the ability to remaincompletely still when an enemy is near.

Organisms have a great variety of ways ofadapting. They may adapt in their structure, function, and genetics; in theirdevelopment and production of the young; and in other respects. An organism maycreate its own environment, as do warm-blooded mammals, which have the abilityto adjust body heat exactly to maintain their ideal temperature despitechanging weather. Usually adaptations are an advantage, but sometimes anorganism is so well adapted to a particular environment that if conditionschange, it finds it difficult or impossible to readapt to the new conditions.

1. Some plants and animals develop superiorcharacteristics so that they may

A) help others of their kind get food, shelterand other things needed.

B) survive even in extremely severe conditions.

C) become better adapted to the environmentsthan others of their kind.

D) result in the evolution and production ofmore intelligent organisms.

2. In the first paragraph, the word"environments" could best be replaced by

A) contexts.

B) surroundings.

C) neighbors.

D) Enemies.

3. It can be inferred from this passage thatthe feathers of a bird are colored

A) to frighten its enemies.

B) to attract its enemies.

C) to adjust its body heat.

D) to match its environment

4. Which of the following is not directlymentioned in the passage?

A) A living thing way adapt in its structure.

B) An organism may adapt in its function.

C) A living creature may adapt in its geneticmakeup.

D) A living organism may adapt in its sleepinghabit.

5. The author cites the behavior ofwarm-blooded mammals in order to that a living thing may have the ability

A) to create an environment of its own.

B) to remain still when an enemy is near.

C) to make food from inorganic chemicals.

D) to change the color of its skin.