BIOLOGY 1301 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT UNIT 7
Introduction
When it comes to adaptation for each species to the environment surrounding them, nothing
adapts much quicker than those species of the animal kingdom. Particularly those that are under
water. Aquatic animals tend to adapt to their surrounding since, well, majority of their
surroundings are water. Gills are a major adaptive trait for aquatic creatures, fish to be particular.
Main
Gills as an Adaptive Trait
Most fish exchange gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide using gills that are protected under gill
covers (operculum) on both sides of the pharynx (throat). Gills are tissues that are like short
threads, protein structures called filaments. These filaments have many functions including the
transfer of ions and water, as well as the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, acids and
ammonia. (Wikipedia, 2022)
As we all know, gills are a major part of aquatic creature’s adaptability in the ocean. It does not
only limit to species with fins and scales, it also applies to other sea creatures such as prawns,
mussels, crabs, tadpoles and many other more. What makes this an adaptation is that it is an
important respiratory function for all aquatic organisms. While not all of aquatic creatures have
gills, there are a few many that has lungs, in which they breathe through like us humans, but the
only difference is that these sea creatures need to go to the surface of a water body to breathe air.
Gill Trait Evolution
Over time, fish tends to evolve and adapt more to its surroundings. Some aquatic organisms are
able to breathe while under water thanks to their gills in which adapts over the course of their life
span. This also helps them dive deeper and adapt to deep sea pressure. While other sea creatures
go down deeper, some surface and adapts to breathing oxygen (i.e. Whales & Dolphins).
Difference Between Homologous & Analogous Traits
Homologous traits are defined when certain organism originate or share the same structures from
their ancestors but most of the time the structures may have different functions. On the other
hand, Analogous traits may have the same structures when comparing to similar organism but
they both don’t share the same ancestral evolution/ adaptation. (Osborn, R. , 2020). And when
referencing my choice of trait, taking into consideration that both shark and a killer whale have
the same structure and both almost compare in size, a shark has gills while the killer whale
breathes through their lungs just like any other whales or mammals.
Difference Between Convergent and Divergent Evolution
Convergent evolution is the process by which two species develop similar features despite not
sharing a recent common ancestor. Evolutionary biologists explain these similar characteristics
as the product of natural selection. Divergent evolution occurs when two organisms with a
common ancestor end up as different species. (MasterClass. 2020). The result of the trait I have
describe is that of a Divergent evolution. Mainly because each of the main organism evolve
based on what environment they will be adapting to during the course of their lifespan.
Reference List:
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, February 18). Fish gill. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_gill
Osborn, R. (2020, July 15). Homologous and Analogous Structures. Difference Between.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-homologous-and-
analogous-structures/
M. (2020, November 9). Convergent Evolution Explained With Examples. MasterClass.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/convergent-evolution-explained
