Structures for Survival in Animals

Key Concepts

• Structures
• Internal structures
• External structures
• Functions of internal and external structures

Introduction: 

We know that plants and animals have various structures that help them grow, survive and reproduce. Some structures are similar in most organisms, like the heart or legs. 

While some structures are different, like the long neck of a giraffe. All these structures help the animals to survive better in their environment 

Explanation: 

A structure is a part of the body of an organism. It helps perform different functions in an animal to meet its need in an environment.  

Some of these structures are external, while some are internal. 

External structures: 

External structures are parts of the body that are found on the outer part of the body. Examples include skin, claws, eyes, limbs, wings, gills, fur, shell and so on. These structures help in the growth and survival of the animals. 

Internal structures: 

Structures that are found on the inside of the body of animals are called internal structures. Examples of internal structures include the brain, heart, lungs, kidney, stomach, etc. Internal structures are vital for regulating the bodily functions of animals. 

Internal structures are not limited to organs; they can also include veins, nerves, salvia, taste buds, the ability to regulate body temperature, and so on.  

Many of the internal structures, particularly the organs, have to work together to keep an animal alive. If one stops working, the others will not be able to do their jobs, and the animal will die. 

 

Animals need various internal and external structures in order to survive in their environment. 

These structures can include the limbs, heart, brain, claws, fins, horns, etc. 

Limbs: 

Limbs help an organism to move, which help them obtain food, escape predation as well as find mates. 

Different organisms living in different environments have modifications of limbs suitable for their environment.  

Land animals like cheetah or deer use their limbs to run, which helps them get food, escape predation, find mates, etc. 

Monkeys use their fore-limbs as well as tail to jump or climb from one tree to another to avoid predation. 

Ducks have unique feet which help them to swim in the water. Their webbed feet help them swim in water bodies. 

Fishes have fins instead of arms to swim in the water, whereas penguins have flippers instead of limbs, and their feet are also different. 

Horns: 

Horns are the rigid structures generally present on the head of an animal. They help the animal to scare away the predators, attract mates, etc. 

Claws: 

The eagle is a bird and has various adaptations that help it to obtain food. It has wings which help it to fly, sharp eyesight that helps it to locate its prey as well as claws to grasp its prey while its flying. 

Skin: 

The skin of some animals serves functions like regulating the body temperature. It is necessary for the survival of that animal. 

The skin of different animals has different adaptations. 

Some animals have fur that protects them from extreme cold conditions like, the Arctic fox or the Polar bear.  

Some animals like whales have a thick layer of fat called “blubber” to protect them from extreme conditions. 

Some animals like frogs have a moist and permeable skin layer covered with mucous glands. Their special skin allows them to breathe through their skin in addition to using their lungs. 

Apart from the external structures, the internal structures are vital for an organism to survive. 

Lungs: 

The lungs of animals help them to breathe. Lungs in animals carry oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. They are very essential for the survival of the animal. 

Fishes have gills instead of lungs to breathe. 

Heart: 

Heart is another internal organ that is important for survival. It is an organ that pumps blood to all the organs of the body. Different animals have different structures of the heart.  

Kidneys: 

Kidneys are internal organs that help filter out blood in animals. It removes toxins and excess water from the body. It is a vital organ for the survival of animals. 

Fig. 9. Kidneys  

Summary:

• Plants and animals have various structures that help them grow, survive and reproduce.
• All these structures help the animals to survive better in their environment.
• A structure is a part of the body of an organism. They help perform different functions in an animal to meet its need in an environment.
• Some of these structures are external, while some are internal.
• External structures are parts of the body that are found on the outer part of the body, like skin, claws, eyes, etc.
• Structures that are found on the inside of the body of animals are called internal structures like the brain, heart, lungs, etc.
• Animals need various internal and external structures in order to survive in their environment.
• The limbs of animals are used for various purposes like running, climbing, swimming, fying, etc.
• The functions of a limb or any structure depend on the environment of the animal in which it lives.
• Other structures like claws help animals get food, and the horns of animals help them to avold predation and increase their chances of survival.
• Some animals like, a frog, can also breathe through their skins.
• Apart from the external structures, the internal structures also help an organism to
• survive.
• The lungs of animals help them breathe by carrying oxygen to the blood and removing
• carbon dioxide.
• Fishes have gills instead of lungs to breathe.
• Other internal organs like kidneys or heart are also vital for the survival of animals