Adaptations and keys

Today we will be looking at animal adaptations, and how sientists use keys. Answer the following questions using the links provided:

1. Explain what the word 'adaptation' means in relation to animals - http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Adaptation
2. What species do we belong to? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/organisms_behaviour_health/variation_classification/revise7.shtml

3. Go to http://mrskingsbioweb.com/worksheets/Classification%20Keys.pdf There are several animals drawn on the page, and a key below to help you identify them.  Pick an animal and see if you can get to the end of the key. Write down the steps you used to get there.
HINT - Snakes, fish, frogs and reptiles (like tortoises) are ectothermic while everything else is endothermic.

4. What are dichotomous keys used for (they are the type of key we made yesterday and used in the last question)? - http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/biology20/unit3/unit3_mod1_les2.htm

Try this quiz and other activities once you're finished the questions - http://users.netrover.com/~kingskids/quiz_science/animals/quiz1.html
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/lsps07_int_animalclass/
http://sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/class.html
http://www.kidscom.com/games/animal/animal.html

Polar Bears

First of all, check the comments in your books about what youre doing well and what you should try and improve on.

Today we will be finding out more about how polar bears live and survive in thie habitat.  Use the links to answer each question in your books.  Make sure you write in full sentences!

1. What do Polar Bears mainly eat? - http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/polar-bear/diet.htm
2. What colour is their skin? How does this help them? - http://library.thinkquest.org/3500/polarbear.htm
3. How many are there estimated to be left in the wild? - http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/polarbear/polarbear.html
4. What is the main threat facing Polar Bears? - http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/polarbear/polarbear.html
5. When do Scientists think that the polar sea ice might stop forming in winter? - http://www.wwf.org.uk/adoption/polarbear/
6. Give one similarity between Polar Bears and Mammoths: (Think about what they looked like, and threats that they both faced)

Try these once you're done - http://www.electrocity.co.nz/ or http://www.3form.net/flakeshake/