adaptation interdependence and competition

Question 1

what are populations

Answer 1

Population live in communities –> they are all interdependent in a communit

Question 2

what does interdependence mean

Answer 2

Interdependent = species depend on each other for food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersal

Question 3

what is an ecosystem

Answer 3

An ecosystem is made up of a community (biotic factors ) interacting with the abiotic elements of their environment

Question 4

what is the primary source of energy

Answer 4

The Sun is the primary source of energy that is transferred through ecosystems

Question 5

Ways that organisms in a community are interdependent? (5)

Answer 5

Ways that organisms in a community are interdependent:
1. plants produce food via photosynthesis
2. animals eat plants
3. animals pollinate plants
4. animals eat other animals
5. animals use plant and animal materials to build nests and shelters
6. plants need the nutrients from decay and animal droppings

Question 6

what makes a community stable

Answer 6

In a stable community, environmental factors are relatively constant - any changes happen in patterns - for example, seasons in the UK)

Question 7

what are constantly being recycled

Answer 7

Carbon, water and nitrogen are constantly being recycled in the living world

Question 8

Name 6 abiotic factors affecting communities?

Answer 8

Abiotic factors affecting communities:
light intensity - light limits photosynthesis, affecting the distribution of plants and animals

temperature - a limiting factor for photosynthesis –> affects plants, so affects herbivores, so affects carnivores

moisture levels - no water means little or no life

soil pH and mineral content : carnivorous plants thrive when Nitrogen levels are love –> nitrates are provided in animal protein

wind intensity and direction –> affects the shape of trees and the whole landscape, and plants transpire quite fast

availability of o2 –> has a huge impact on water -living organisms. proportion of o2 in the air varies very little

Question 9

Name 4 biotic factors

Answer 9

Biotic factors:
new predators arriving - organisms with no defence against new predators can be wiped out rapidly

availability of food.- in plenty of food supply, animals thrive, but when it’s in short supply animals struggle to survive and often do not breed

new pathogens and parasites –> when a new one emerges organisms have no r

resistance to the disease - a new one can wipe out populations in a community

interspecific competition = competition between different species –> a new species may outcompete aother to the point where numbers are too low for breeding

Question 10

what is interspecific competition

Answer 10

interspecific competition = competition between different species –> a new species may outcompete aother to the point where numbers are too low for breeding

Question 11

explain the quadrat experiment

Answer 11

a square frame laid on the ground is also called a quadrat

quadrats can be used to investigate the size of population of plants, or animals that move very slowly like snails

to make your result as valid as possible, you must use the same size quadrat every time and sample as many areas as you can –> must be chosen at random

random sampling - making sure the areas you choose are random:
a person with a quadrat spins, opens their eyes, walks ten paces and drops the

quadrat
random no. generator

Question 12

what is quantitative sampling

Answer 12

Quantitative sampling - finding the mean number of organisms per m^2

Question 13

why do we do quantatitative sampling (3)

Answer 13

to compare the distribution of the same organism in different habitats
to compare the variety of organisms in several habitats
to measure changes in the distribution of organisms over time

Question 14

how else can you sample

Answer 14

you can also sample using a line transect –> this is NOT a random sampling
you stretch a measuring tape between two points and sample the organisms at regular intervals
using transects can show the changes in the distribution of organs and physical factors like light levels and soil pH

Question 15

is interspecific competition more intense than intraspecific competition

Answer 15

intraspecific competition is often the most intense

Question 16

what do animals compete for

Answer 16

animals compete for food, territory

Question 17

how can animals become more successful in competition (food)

Answer 17

for herbivores the ones able to eat a wide range of plants are most likely to be successful in the competition

Question 18

are carnivores at a disadvantage for food

Answer 18

yes, carnivores often have the compete with their own species and others

Question 19

what do prey compete for

Answer 19

prey compete to be the one that isn’t caught –> their adaptations prevent them from being eaten

Question 20

how do animals mark there territory

Answer 20

many animals mark their territory with urine + faeces

Question 21

Name some examples males in some species compete for mates

Answer 21

in some species, males fight, with peacocks, they display extravagant tail feathers to warn off other males and attract females
male lizards display bright colours

Question 22

what do plants compete for

Answer 22

plants compete for:
light
water
nutrients/minerals
space to grow

Question 23

do plants just compete with its own species

Answer 23

plants also compete with members of other species as well as their own

Question 24

explain how plants my compete withe their own offspring

Answer 24

when a plant sheds its seeds, they may land nearby and the plants will be in direct competition with its offspring

Question 25

Name and explain the 3 different type of adaptations in animals

Answer 25

The types of adaptations in animals:

Structural adaptations - the shape of colour of the organism or part of the organism

Behavioural adaptations - migration, basking in the sun to absorb energy and to warm up, and tool-using to obtain food

functional adaptations - related to proceses like reproduction and metabolism (delayed implantation of embryo or antifreeze in cells)

Question 26

why do animals have smaller SA;V in colder climates

Answer 26

in cold climates, the smaller the SA:V, the easier to (a) reduce the transfer of energy to the environment (b) minimising cooling - explaining why arctic animals are relatively large

Question 27

how do animals keep warm in colder climates

Answer 27

they also have a thick fur coat, a thick layer of fat and blubber, and also have relatively small ears

Question 28

what type of adaptation camouflage

Answer 28

camouflage is a structural adaptation

Question 29

what are the biggest challenges in the desert

Answer 29

biggest challenges in the desert:
1. lack of water
2. stopping your body temperature from getting too high or too low

Question 30

what adaptation in the kidney do desert animals have

Answer 30

desert animals have functional adaptations in their kidneys to make very concentrated urine and need little to nothing to drink to conserve water

Question 31

why is SA:V important for plants

Answer 31

SA:V in plants is important for the water loss through the leaves

Question 32

how do plants in the desert prevent water loss

Answer 32

Some plants in deserts have broad to leaves to collect the dew that forms in cold evenings, and funnel it towards their shallow roots

others have curled leaves to reduce SA, and to trap a layer of moist air around the leaf, to reduce water loss by evaporation

plants in dry conditions also have roots that spread over a wide area or go down a long way

Question 33

what is an advantage of cacti having needle-like leaves

Answer 33

cacti have needle like leaves –> lose very little and discourages animals from eating them