Physiological Adaptations

Physiological adaptation is a condition where living organisms adapt and adjust their internal systems, tissues, and cells to stay alive during climatic changes or other weather conditions. Adaptation can be of three types: structural, physiological, and behavioral. It helps organisms survive in their environment. Examples of physiological adaptation include hibernation, migration, camouflage, and the production of venom as a defense mechanism. In this article, we will discuss the physiological adaptation, its types, functions, and examples in detail.

Physiological Adaptation Definition

Physiological adaptation is a biological process where the body adjusts to maintain homeostasis and function optimally in response to external stimuli.

What is Physiological Adaptation?

Physiological adaptation is a metabolic adjustment process by which organisms make an equilibrium state under a certain environmental condition to survive by changing the response of internal systems, tissues, and cells. Physiological adaptations occur in all living organisms, including humans, birds, animals, and plants. Like, Camales live in a desert habitat and gradually they have adopted how to stay alive in dry and hot conditions just with a hump. On the other side polar bears adopt thick fur to protect themselves from the freezing weather.

Types of Adaptations

In the field of Biology, the term “Adaptation” means how living organisms adapt and adjust their responses to fulfill the conditions of a habitat to live there. Simply put, adaptations are those mandatory changes and modified responses of a living organism to live in a certain habitat. Based on the response structure there are three types of adaptaions as mentioned below.

Structural Adaptations

In this adaptation procedure, living organisms shape and adjust the specific body parts, texture, and color to survive in a natural habitat. These adaptations can help organisms find food, avoid predators, and reproduce. Some examples of structural adaptations includes camouflage, gills, webbed feet, blubber and flexible jaws.

Behavioral Adaptations

This type of adaptation is generally practiced by the birds. In this adaptation, both plants and animals shift and merge their behaviors as per the certain habitat. They are the result of evolution, which is a change in a species over long periods of time. Behavioral adaptations are mostly learned, not inherited. Some examples of behavioural adaptation includes bird migration, hibernation, and living in a herd.

Physiological Adaptations

Physiological adaptation is the same process applicable to living organisms in a particular habitat. In this living organisms adapt and adjust their internal systems, tissues, and cells to climatic changes or other weather conditions to stay alive in a certain habitat. These adjustments help organisms better cope with their changing environments. Some examples of physiological adaptation includes temperature regulation, releasing toxins or poisons and production of venom and defense chemicals.

Aslo Read: Difference Between Adaptation and Natural Selection

Examples of Physiological Adaptations

Physiological adaptations refer to the internal and functional changes of the flora and fauna to stay alive in a specific environment. Here are some examples of the physiological adaptations.

• Camouflage in Chameleons: Chameleons can change the skin colours to match the surroundings. The purpose is to save themself from different predators and prey.
• Hibernation in Bears: It is the process of decreasing the metabolic rate and body temperature during winter. The purpose is to save the body energy for the future.
• Counter-Current Exchange in Fish Gills: It is a mechanism to run the process of respiration efficiently. The purpose is to exchange the maximum number of gases in the water habitat.
• Cacti Water Storage: In this Cacti modify their stems and tissues to store water. By this, they survive in less limited environments.
• Migration in Birds: It is an example of physiological changes to enable long-distance flight. The purpose is to perform seasonal movements to find suitable breeding and feeding places.
• Desert Plants’ Water-Conserving Mechanisms: Desert Plants reduce the leaf surface area, thick cuticles, and water-storing tissues. The purpose is to minimize the water loss and survive in extreme conditions.

Physiological Adaptation And Different Habitats

Physiological adaptation happens when the particular floras and faunas face challenges by the particular habitat. Here are some of them:

Habitat Name	Adaptation
Desert Habitat	Adaptation: Water-conserving mechanisms. Purpose: To minimize water loss. Example: Cacti and Camels.
Arctic Tundra	Adaptation: Insulation and thick fur and, low blood flow. Purpose: To conserve body heat in extreme condition. Example: Arctic foxes and Polar bears.
Rainforest Habitat	Adaptation: High metabolic rates and efficient respiration system. Purpose: To cope up with high temperatures. Example: Tropical birds.
Alpine Habitat	Adaptation: Increased lung capacity. Purpose: To cope with lower oxygen levels at higher locations. Example: Mountain animals.
Aquatic Habitat	Adaptation: Gills for underwater breathing process with streamlined body structure. Purpose: Extract oxygen efficiently from water. Example: Dolphins
Mangrove Habitats	Adaptation: Balance the varying salinity levels. Purpose: Cope with fluctuations in salt concentration. Example: Mangrove trees.
High-Pressure Deep-Sea Habitat	Adaptation: Specialized enzymes and pressure-resistant structures. Purpose: To survive under high-pressure conditions. Example: Deep-sea organisms.

Functions of Physiological Adaptations

There are different functions of the physiological adaptations as mentioned below:

• Physiological adaptations help both plants and animals to regulate their body temperature.
• With this process, organisms can regulate their osmotic balance.
• To perform aerobic respiration and energy production physiological adaptation is important.
• This process improves the organ senses which provides improved responses to specific stimuli.
• Physiological adaptation helps organisms resist infections by increasing immune systems.

FAQs – Physiological Adaptations

What is Physiological Adaptation Basic Concept?

Physiological adaptation is a metabolic adjustment process by which organisms make an equilibrium state under a certain environmental condition to survive by changing the response of internal systems, tissues, and cells.

What is a Physiological Adaptation Example?

Camales live in a desert habitat and gradually they have adopted how to stay alive in dry and hot conditions just with a hump. On the other side polar bears adopt thick fur to protect themselves from the freezing weather.

Is Sweating a Physiological Adaptation?

Yes, sweating is a physiological adaptation. Physiological adaptation is a condition where living organisms adapt and adjust their internal systems, tissues, and cells in the climatic changes or other weather conditions to stay alive.

What is Physiological Adaptation in Fitness?

Regular physical activity induces various physiological adaptations. It includes improvements in cardiovascular function, muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.

What is the Difference Between Behavioral and Structural Adaptations?

Structural adaptations are physical features of an organism that help it survive in its environment. Behavioral adaptations are the behaviors that organisms exhibit to adapt to their environment.

What are the Physiological Adaptation of an Owl?

Silent flight, facial discs, asymmetrical or uneven ears and large forward facing eyes are the physiological adaptation of an owl.