general adaptation

views updated Jun 11 2018

general adaptation An adaptation that fits an organism for life in some broad environmental zone, as opposed to ‘special adaptations’ which are specializations for a particular way of life. Thus leaves are a general adaptation, while the particular kind of leaf is a special adaptation, and the wing of a bird is a general adaptation, while a particular kind of bill is a special adaptation. Major groups of organisms are differentiated very largely on the basis of general adaptations.

general adaptation

views updated Jun 08 2018

general adaptation Adaptation that fits an organism for life in some broad environmental zone, as opposed to ‘special adaptations’ which are specializations for a particular way of life. Thus the wing of a bird is a general adaptation, while the particular kind of bill is a special adaptation. Major groups of organisms are differentiated very largely on the basis of general adaptations.

general adaptation

views updated Jun 08 2018

general adaptation An adaptation that fits an organism for life in some broad environmental zone, as opposed to ‘special adaptations’ which are specializations for a particular way of life. Thus, leaves are a general adaptation, while the particular kind of leaf is a special adaptation. Major groups of organisms are differentiated very largely on the basis of general adaptations.

general adaptation

views updated May 08 2018

general adaptation Adaptation that fits an organism for life in some broad environmental zone, as opposed to ‘special adaptations’ which are specializations for a particular way of life. Thus the wing of a bird is a general adaptation, while a particular kind of bill is a special adaptation.

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general adaptation

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