Adaptation and interdependence Flashcards
Why do animals need to adapt?
To survive in different environments
How have desert animals adapted?
- Large surface are compared to volume (smaller)- lose more body heat
- Concentrated urine
- Produce very little sweat
- Thin layer of body fat and fur
- Camoflauge
How have arctic animals adapted
- Small surface area compared to volume (bigger)- lose less body heat
- Thick layer of blubber
- Thick coat of fur
- Camoflauge
How have desert plants adapted?
- Small surface area compared to volume- lose less water vapour from leaves
- Spines instead of leaves to minimise surface area to lose less water
- Efficient water storage tissues
- Maximising water absorbtion
How have plants and animals adapted to deter predators?
- Armour- roses have thorns, tortoises have shells
- Produce poisons- bees, poison ivy
- Colour- black and yellow wasp
What are extremophiles?
Microorganisms that live in extreme conditions like volcano vents or at high pressure on the sea bed
What do plants need?
Light, space, water and nutrients
What do animals need?
Space, food, water and mates
What are living factors of environmental change?
Number of infectious diseases, predators, prey or food sources and competitors
What are non-living factors of environmental change?
Change in average temperature, rainfall and pollution
How does environmental change effect populations?
Population can increase, decrease or change distribution
What are indicator species?
Organisms which are very sensitive to change
What does lichen measure?
Air pollution as they are very sensitive to the level of sulphur dioxide and only survive in clean air
What do mayfly larvae indicate?
Water pollution as they only live in very clean water as if sewage is released bacteria use up all the oxygen
What can satellites measure?
The temperature of the sea surface and the amount of snow and ice
