{"id":141,"date":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/15\/child-needs-know-adaptations\/"},"modified":"2024-04-18T15:27:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T07:27:23","slug":"child-needs-know-adaptations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/child-needs-know-adaptations\/","title":{"rendered":"What Your Child Needs To Know About Adaptations"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” module_class=”single-post-body et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Blog Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”28px” header_font=”geomanist-bold||||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-55px|-45px||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Adaptations<\/span><\/a>\u00a0can be considered as\u00a0one of the more challenging topics in the PSLE Science syllabus.<\/p>\n

For multiple-choice questions (MCQs), examiners typically test students on their understanding of\u00a0structural and behavioural adaptations<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\n

Read Also<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. The Amazing Web of Life: How Organisms Are Dependent On Each Other For Survival<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. The Smart Way of Analysing Food Chains<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Ultimate Science Practice Series: Adaptations (Practice Questions & Explainer Videos)<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    As for open-ended questions (OEQs), students are tested on their ability to identify the reasons behind such adaptations, formulate their thought\u00a0process and structure their answers in a coherent & scientific manner.<\/p>\n

    As such, in today’s article, I’ll be sharing the definitions of structural and behavioural adaptations<\/span>, as well as the thought\u00a0process required to answer both MCQs and OEQs on Adaptations<\/span>, with reference to the two questions below.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    What Your Child Needs To Know<\/span><\/h2>\n

    There are two types of adaptations in the PSLE Science syllabus:<\/p>\n

    1) Structural adaptation<\/span>\u00a0refers to what the organism has<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    For example:\u00a0The camel has long legs to keep the camel\u2019s body further away from the hot sand. This reduces the rate of heat gain from the hot sand to the camel\u2019s body, allowing it to stay cool.<\/p>\n

    2) Behavioural adaptation<\/span>\u00a0refers to what the organism does<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    For example: The earthworm burrows underground as the temperature underground is cooler. Burrowing underground also helps to reduce the exposed surface area in contact with direct sunlight, reducing the rate of heat gain by the body from the sun, to stay cool.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    MCQ Example: Animal X<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Thought Process<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Let’s break down the two adaptations:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Not needing to drink water for long periods<\/li>\n
    2. Changing colour of coat from white in Summer to brown in Winter<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Taking A Look At The First Adaptation<\/span><\/h2>\n

      All living things require water to survive and this applies to this animal too.<\/p>\n

      However, the question highlighted\u00a0that the animal\u00a0does not need to drink water for extended periods\u00a0of time.<\/p>\n

      This\u00a0could mean two things:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. the animal’s\u00a0body uses very little water for life processes, or<\/strong><\/li>\n
      2. the animal has a special mechanism that allows it to reduce water loss from the body.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Either reason\u00a0suggests that this\u00a0animal\u00a0has a structural adaptation, which is an innate function\u00a0of the animal’s body.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Now, Let’s Examine The Second Adaptation<\/span><\/h2>\n

        Changing the colour of the animal’s fur\u00a0to match the seasons would be a structural adaptation<\/span>,\u00a0instead of a behavioural adaptation.<\/p>\n

        This is because the animal would require the ability of the outer covering to change colour in the first place.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Try This Little Exercise<\/span><\/h2>\n

        If your child\u00a0is\u00a0still confused, you can get him to imagine himself\u00a0changing the colour of his\u00a0skin.<\/p>\n

        Now, get him to open his eyes. He will realise that the colour of his skin remains the same.<\/p>\n

        Why?<\/p>\n

        The colour of his skin will not change because he lacks\u00a0a structural ability to change his skin colour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Final Answer<\/span><\/h2>\n

        Therefore, the answer to this question would be Option (2).<\/span><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        OEQ Example: King Penguins<\/span><\/h2>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        King penguins live in a very cold environment. King penguins do not usually lie down. Most of the time, they stand on their feet on the cold ice. Suggest a reason for such behaviour.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Thought Process<\/span><\/h2>\n

        When we’re tackling open-ended questions on\u00a0the topic of Adaptations, it is\u00a0not enough<\/em> to simply “state” the adaptation.<\/p>\n

        Your child\u00a0needs to be able to explain how this adaptation enables the organism to survive in its natural environment<\/span>.<\/p>\n

        In addition, it is important to always remind your child\u00a0to link his\/her <\/u>answer\u00a0to the final objective\u00a0of the adaptation<\/span>.<\/p>\n

        Does the adaptation help the organism\u00a0to stay warm or to stay cool to survive better in its natural environment?<\/p>\n

        For the above question, standing on its feet\u00a0helps\u00a0the King Penguin to survive better in its cold<\/strong> environment. Most of its adaptations help the King Penguin\u00a0to stay warm.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Final Answer<\/span><\/h2>\n

        By standing on their feet, the King Penguin reduces the exposed surface area of their body in contact with the cold ice<\/span>. This reduces the rate of heat loss from the body to the cold ice<\/span>, helping their body to stay warm<\/span>.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Try This Activity With Your Child!<\/span><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. List all of the\u00a0possible adaptations for animals living in a hot and cold environment.<\/li>\n
        2. For each adaptation, discuss and prepare an answer to explain how the adaptation helps.<\/li>\n
        3. Focus on the possible adaptations for each climate and not simply on the animals because\u00a0there are just too many animals in the world to cover! :O<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#898989″ _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/The-Pique-Lab-CCI-Science-Course-CTA.png” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

          If you like our methodology, we’ve some upcoming workshops:<\/p>\n

          [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”geomanist-medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#f44a4a” text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

          P4 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
           P5 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
           P6 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

          [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":241547,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Students learn<\/span> the topic of Electricity<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0at Primary 5 and many of them find the concepts to be confusing, especially when they are first exposed to this topic.\r\n\r\nAs such, over the next few blog posts, I will be sharing more about the concepts of Electricity<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0that are commonly tested during examinations.\r\n\r\nIn today\u2019s blog post, I will be focusing on the arrangement of the wires in a bulb and relate it to how a bulb should be connected in a circuit.\r\n

          Today\u2019s Question:<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
          How Should The Bulb Be Connected To The Circuit For It To Light Up?<\/strong><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n

          The following question is commonly encountered by students during tests.<\/p>\r\n

          \"\"<\/a>Question Credit: Anglo Chinese School (Junior)\/ 2015 Primary 5 SA1\/ Question 18<\/em><\/p>\r\nWe can see that the key difference between the four options is the connection of the bulb(s) in the circuit.\r\n

          Requirements Needed for a Bulb to Light Up<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nOne wire is connected to the metal casing & one wire is connected to the metal tip<\/u><\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n

          \"\"<\/a>Example of a closed circuit<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen the wires in the circuit are connected to the metal casing and metal tip of the bulb, there is a closed (or complete) circuit with the bulb. Electricity will be able to flow through the filament, causing the bulb to light up.\r\n

          What Happens When Both Wires Are Connected To The Metal Tip\/Metal Casing?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\nScenario #1: Both wires are connected to the metal tip<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n

          Example of a circuit when the wires are connected only to the metal tip<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen both wires are connected to the metal tip of the bulb, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n\r\nScenario #2: Both wires are connected to the metal casing<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n

          \"\"<\/a>Example of a circuit when the wires are connected only to the metal casing<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen both wires are connected to the metal casing of the bulb, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n\r\nNow, let us now take a look at the question again.\r\n

          Analysis Of The Options<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhen analysing the circuits, students need to take note of one key point:\r\n

          How is the bulb connected to the circuit?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\nIn the following analysis, I have traced the pathway that electricity flows through (in red) as well so that it is easier to understand why the bulb lights up.\r\n

          Circuit A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nBoth the metal casing and tip of the bulb are connected to the circuit, forming a closed circuit. Thus, electricity is able to flow through the wires in the circuit to the filament, allowing the bulb to light up.\r\n

          Circuit B<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nOnly the tip is connected to the circuit. Thus, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n

          Circuit C<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

          \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nOnly the casing is connected to the circuit. Thus, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n

          Circuit D<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

          \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nBoth the metal casing and tip of the two bulbs are connected to the circuit, forming a closed circuit. Thus, electricity is able to flow through the wires in the circuit to the filaments, allowing the bulbs to light up.\r\n\r\nAs the bulbs in circuits A and D will light up, the correct answer is option 4.\r\n

          What We Have Learnt Today<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\nWhen students wish to find out if the bulb will light up, they should check the following:\r\n

          Are both the metal casing and the tip of the bulb connected to the circuit?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIf the answer to the question is \u2018yes\u2019, the bulb will light up. :)\r\n\r\nIn the next blog post, I will be sharing about the advantages and disadvantages of arranging bulbs in series and in parallel.\r\n\r\nStay tuned! :)\r\n\r\n
          \r\n\r\n[thrive_leads id='8207']","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15,6,3],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244574,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions\/244574"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}