Reference no: EM133240425

Assignment:

Summary of the following

1. Adaptations are transformations in an organism's structure or function that allow it to survive better in its environment. Adaptations can be physical, such as the fur of a polar bear, or behavioral, such as a bird's nesting behavior.

Adaptations are not always beneficial; sometimes, they can even be harmful. For example, an adaptation that allows an organism to survive better in a cold environment may make it less able to survive in a warm environment.

2. The ability to detect bitter flavors is highly heritable and complex.

Our forefathers probably developed a taste for bitter substances, so they might avoid consuming harmful plants.

Genetic differences account for the varying degrees to which different people experience bitter flavors.

According to some research, those with a higher threshold for bitter flavors may be less likely to indulge in fatty or sugary foods or drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages.

Our genetic predisposition to prefer sweet over bitter may have significant ramifications for our health and diet, but we still have much to learn about this trait.

3. One example of a genetic adaptation I have personally observed is the ability of certain plants to thrive in dry, sandy conditions. For example, cacti and succulents can store water in their leaves and stems, allowing them to survive in arid conditions that kill other plants.

This adaptation results from thousands of years of evolution in response to the local climate; as the climate became dry, plants that survived in these conditions passed on their genes to future generations, while plants that could not adapt died out.