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This engaging lesson introduces adaptations as either behavioural, structural or functional, and forges links to other topics including natural selection. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been planned to cover the content of point 7.1.4 of the AQA GCSE biology and combined science specification, and therefore also describes extremophiles.

The lesson begins with a prior knowledge check of topic 6.4, as students must complete a KEY POINT to describe how evolution through natural selection gives rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment. This leads into the description of these phenotypes or features as adaptations. The 1st of several guided discussion periods provides students with the opportunity to consider how adaptations support an organism’s ability to survive. As shown in the cover image, a quick quiz is then used to reveal the three types of adaptations, and students are given support and tips to prevent common mistakes, such as confusion between functional and structural. An exam-style question involving Marram grass challenges students to categorise 6 adaptations as either behavioural, structural or functional, and then further questions link to knowledge about osmosis and stomata and transpiration.

The key term, extremophile, is introduced through a quick quiz and students will consider why an environment or habitat might be deemed to be extreme. The final task of the lesson uses a species of bacteria living in volcanic geysers to challenge their understanding of the current topic of adaptations and extremophiles, as well as challenging knowledge from earlier topics including classification, the cell cycle and denaturation.