4.1 - Why are there so many different species? Flashcards
What is a species?
group of organisms able to interbreed & produce fertile offspring
What is meant by biodiversity?
measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem
What is a population?
all the members of a species that live in an area
What is a community?
2 or more population of organisms
What is an ecosystem?
the interaction between a community of living organisms & their environment
What is meant by an endemic species?
when a species is native to a particular region & found nowhere else
What is extinction?
when no more members of that species left alive
What is an endangered species?
a species with a declining population, in danger of extinction
What are founder organisms?
organisms which were first there
What is a niche?
a description of the precise role of an organism in its environment
What is a habitat?
particular place where a community of organisms is found
How can you find out if organisms are different species?
you have to try and interbreed organisms
What are 3 problems with trying to interbreed organisms?
- the organism you are interested in may be dead
- may not breed in captivity
- they may be sexually immature
What does morphological mean?
to do with structural features
What does physiological mean?
to do with the way the body works
What does biochemical mean?
include the sequences of bases in DNA & amino acids in proteins
What does behavioural mean?
to do with certain shared behaviour
What does sterile mean?
not fertile
What happens when 2 species occupy the same niche?
they compete directly & the species that is best adapted will outcompete the other species
What are the 3 types of adaptation?
- behavioural
- anatomical
- physiological
What are behavioural adaptations?
actions taken/responses by organisms
What are anatomical adaptations?
structures that can be observed
What are physiological adaptations?
features of the internal workings of organisms
