Explain how structural and behavioural adaptations help a polar bear survive in its Arctic environment.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
The Arctic is an extreme environment with very low temperatures, strong winds and limited food availability for parts of the year.
Model answer (4 marks)
Structural adaptation: thick layer of blubber.
Blubber insulates the bear, reducing heat loss to the cold air and water, keeping the body temperature stable.
Behavioural adaptation: hunting behaviour – the bear stalks seals from the sea ice.
By hunting seals, the bear obtains high‑energy food when it is available, allowing it to build up fat reserves for the winter and survive periods of scarce food.
Blubber insulates the bear, reducing heat loss to the cold air and water, keeping the body temperature stable.
Behavioural adaptation: hunting behaviour – the bear stalks seals from the sea ice.
By hunting seals, the bear obtains high‑energy food when it is available, allowing it to build up fat reserves for the winter and survive periods of scarce food.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms ‘blubber’ and ‘hunting behaviour’ as the mark scheme recognises them.
- Explain the function of each adaptation – insulation for blubber, food acquisition for hunting behaviour – to show understanding.
- Keep the answer concise – 4 marks only require one structural and one behavioural point with explanation.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Structural adaptation identified (e.g. thick layer of blubber / thick fur / white fur / large body size / small ears)
- Explains how the structural adaptation increases chance of survival (e.g. blubber / thick fur insulates the bear, reducing heat loss)
- Behavioural adaptation identified (e.g. hibernation / seasonal migration / hunting behaviour / storing fat before winter)
- Explains how the behavioural adaptation increases chance of survival (e.g. hibernation reduces energy use when food is scarce, increasing chance of survival)
Key terms in this question
adaptation · structural · behavioural
Related
- Revision notes: Adaptations, interdependence and competition →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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