adapataions of organism Flashcards
name the three types of adapataions
behavioural, physiological and morphological
what three broad groups influence the distribution of animals?
climate, edaphic (soil) and biotic
name climatic factors
temperature range, availability of water, light intensity, light quality, day length
why are species adapted to live in a temperature range
temperature usually varies
what will occur in high temperatures?
enzymes will become denatured
what happens in cold temperatures?
the water in cell will turn to ice which can physically damage them
how are mammals protected from water loss by evaporation?
water proof skin and gas exchange surface lies deep within the body
how is the rate of growth increases?
more light = faster rate of photosynthesis = faster rate of growth
why is light quality as important as light intensity?
plants can only use certain wavelengths of light for photosynthesis
Blue light penetrates water more than red light
what is there a close correlation between in climatic factors?
day length and temperature
who is day length important for?
crucial for species whose activity is limited to either the day or night
where are edaphic factors significant?
on a local level when small changes in soil chemistry or water content influence species distribution over short distances
name some edaphic features
ph values, availability of nutrients, water content, aeration of soils
what does soil pH affect?
availability of certain ions which in influences the range of plant species that can grow there
what is the optimum pH for most plants?
neutral
