Structural Adaptation - GCSE Biology Definition

A structural adaptation is a physical feature of an organism that helps it survive in its environment. These are changes to the body’s shape or structure that improve the organism’s ability to feed, move, or avoid predators. For example, a giraffe’s long neck helps it reach leaves high in trees, and a polar bear’s thick fur keeps it warm in cold climates. Structural adaptations develop over many generations through evolution by natural selection and help organisms live successfully in their habitats.