Adaptation: Flashcards
What are adaptations?
Features that allow organisms to survive in their habitat
What do animals compete for?
Shelter
food
mates
water
What do plants compete for?
Water
food
space
light
What are extremophiles?
Organisms that can survive in extremely harsh conditions eg. freezing conditions or very hot conditions
What is pollination?
The transference of pollen from the anther to the stigma
What adaptations do insect pollinated plants have to attract insects?
Bright colours
sweet smells
well shaped so the beaks/heads can fit into them
What adaptations do wind pollinated plants have?
Wispy hairs to make them float
small in size
not brightly coloured
What are inherited charactersitics?
Characteristics caused by genes found in the nucleus, usually passed on from parents to offspring
What are environmental characteristics?
Characteristics caused by influences in their surroundings - cannot be passed down by parents
Can characteristics be influenced by both dna and surroundings?
Yes, eg. weight
What is evolution?
The gradual development of a species over time
What is a mutation?
A change in the DNA sequence of an organism
What is variation?
Characteristics that vary across species due to different genetics
What is extinction?
when there are no more individuals of that species left anywhere in the world
What are some causes of extinction?
new diseases
new predators
lack of food
change in habitat
human actions
