2.5 Organisms in Their Environment

Question 1

Name 6 physical factors that may affect the distribution of organisms

Answer 1

• temp
• availability of water
• amount of light
• availability of water
• availability of oxygen
• availability of carbon dioxide

Question 2

Name an example of how temperature affects the distribution of organisms?

Answer 2

Arctic plants are small which limits the number of plant eaters which can survive in this area

Question 3

Name an example of how the availability of nutrients affects the distribution of organisms?

Answer 3

Most plants struggle to grow when mineral ions are in short supply and again few animals live in that area

Question 4

Name an example of how the availability of light affects the distribution of organisms?

Answer 4

Few plants live on a forest floor because the light is blocked out by the trees, shaded plants often have broader leaves or more chlorophyll

Question 5

Name an example of how the availability of water affects the distribution of organisms?

Answer 5

Water is important for all organisms so few will live in a desert. If it rains in the desert the plants will grow, produce flowers and seeds very quickly, then there will be food for animals

Question 6

Name an example of how the availability of oxygen affects the distribution of organisms?

Answer 6

Water animals can be affected by lack of oxygen. Some invertebrates can live at very low oxygen levels, but most fish need high levels of oxygen dissolved in water

Question 7

Name an example of how the availability of carbon dioxide affects the distribution of organisms?

Answer 7

Lack of co2 will affect plant growth and consequently the food available for animals

Question 8

Why are there so few animals living in very cold regions such as the Arctic?

Answer 8

Very few plants grow there. Those that do are very small so there’s not enough food for the animals

Question 9

What do living organisms form?

Answer 9

Communities