4.1 Why are there so many different species? Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
The community of living organisms and the biotic factors that affect them.
What is a habitat?
The place where the organisms live; the non-living part of an ecosystem.
What is a community?
All the populations of living organisms living in a habitat at any one time.
What is a population?
A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular habitat.
What is a species?
A group of animals or plants that normally breeds together and produces fertile offspring. They have similar morphology, physiology and behaviour.
What is an adaptation?
The features that help an animal or plant survive or reproduce. Adaptations can be classified as behavioural, physiological or anatomical.
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Any actions by organisms which help them to survive or reproduce. e.g. when agoutis bury Brazil nuts, this will aid their survival by providing a food source.
e.g.2. Plants turn leaves towards sun to maximise light for photosynthesis.
What is a physiological adaptation?
Feature of the internal workings (biochemistry) of organisms which help them to survive or reproduce. e.g. tolerance oh high salt in plants e.g.2. thermophilous bacteria
What is a structural/anatomical adaptation?
Features that can be observed or dissected, the possession of which helps an organism to survive or reproduce. e.g. long tongues of insects to collect nectar. e.g.2. white fur in alpine species.
What is a biosphere?
The part of the earth and its atmosphere which is inhabited by living organisms.
What does abiotic mean?
Non-living factors - physical and chemical.
What does biotic mean?
Living factors e.g. predation and competition.
What is a microhabitat?
Area of distinct conditions within a habitat - e.g. underside of a stone in a pond.
What is a niche?
Simply the way an organism exploits its environment. A role an organism, has in an ecosystem, including where is lives and what it eats, and the periods of times it is active. Also known as ecological niche. No two species can occupy the same niche; one will out-compete the other e.g. red and grey squirrels.
What does endemism mean?
Refers to a group of organisms that are unique to a particular habitat, which must be geographically discrete, such as an island or a certain type of vegetation. We say that a species restricted to one location is endemic.
