Adaptation to Environment Flashcards
Mangrove High Salinity Adaptation
Root epidermis is coated in suberin which reduces permeability to salt and prevents excessive absorption
Secretion of excess salt from salt glands in the leaf which helps remove excess salt absorbed with water
How Salinity, Soil pH, Wind and Minerals Affect Species Distribution
Affects water balance and uptake in organisms
Influences nutrient availability for plants
Affects plant growth and animal dispersal
Essential for growth and development
How Temperature, Water Availability and Sunlight Affect Species Distribution
Affects metabolic activity, enzyme activity and survival
Essential for survival, and influences plant growth / animal behaviour
Drives photosynthesis in plants, and influences animal behaviour and Vitamin-D production
Animal Adaptations in Tropical Rainforests
Arboreal life to adapt to live in trees
Camouflage to blend in with environment and avoid predators or ambush prey
Bright colors for communication and attracting mates
Specialized diets for animals to feed on specific resources to reduce competition
Plant Adaptations in Tropical Rainforests
Drip tips to allow water to run off leaves to prevent fungal growth
Large leaves to maximize sunlight capture in unshaded areas
Buttress roots to provide stability in shallow soils
Epiphytic growth to allow plants to grow on others to reach sunlight
How Precipitation Affects Distribution of Biomes
Precipitation is a direct source of water for plants, and determines the type of vegetation in a biome
Precipitation influences soil moisture content which affects the types of plants that grow there
High precipitation supports lush vegetation while low precipitation limits plant growth which leads to grasslands and deserts
Habitat
The natural environment where an organism or community of organism lives, finds resources and reproduces
Coral Water Depth Condition
Coral requires shallow water for sufficient sunlight for zooxanthellae to photosynthesize and provide nutrients to the coral, but coral in excessively deep water due to rising sea levels might not receive enough light to support healthy growth
Coral pH Condition
Slightly alkaline waters for optimal coral growth and calcification, but ocean acidification reduces carbonate ion availability which makes it difficult for corals to build skeletons
Mangrove Tidal Fluctuations and Water Uptake Adaptation
Roots that grow in a downwards arch to provide support and stability in the shifting tides and soft mud
Accumulation of mineral ions to increase solute potential of root and leaf cells, which allows water absorption from the saline environment
Habitat Geographical Location
Where the species is found
Lat & Long: Precise coordinates on the Earth’s surface
Altitude: Height above sea level
Coral Salinity Condition
Saltwater which is necessary for coral physiology but salinity that is too high or low can disrupt coral cell function and hinder growth
Coral Water Temperature Condition
Water should be warm from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius as it’s optimal for coral metabolism and growth and allows for zooxanthellae to grow and photosynthesize efficiently. However, increased temperatures can stress corals which causes them to expel zooxanthellae and leads to coral starvation.
Habitat Physical Location
Environmental characteristics where species lives
Topography: Landforms, mountains, valleys, plains
Soil Type: Composition and properties of soil
Water Availability: Rivers, lakes, oceans
Climate: Temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind patterns
How Temperature Affects Distribution of Biomes
Temperature influences water availability through evaporation and transpiration
Affects metabolism and physiological processes of organisms
Partly determines the types of plants that can thrive in a particular region
Ocean CO2 and Coral
The ocean is a major carbon sink, where CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid and quickly dissociates into H and HCO3, where H ions will lower ocean pH. However due to the presence of carbonate ions, they neutralize
However, the rising levels of CO2 from the atmosphere causes an increase in H ions, which makes less free carbonate ions available to neutralize the H which causes a decrease in ocean pH, dissolving and thinning coral exoskeletons
What is a Biome
A group of ecosystems with similar communities
Grass Low Water Availability Adaptation
Deep roots that access water deep below the surface
Rolled leaves that reduce water loss by trapping moist air inside
Sunken stomata that are located in pits to reduce water loss
Waxy cuticle on outer layer of leaves to prevent evaporation and water loss
Mangrove Low Oxygen and Seed Dispersal Adaptation
Aerial roots that project above the water to absorb oxygen from the air to use in roots
Large buoyant seeds which can be carried by ocean tides to distant muddy shores
Coral Water Clarity Condition
Clear water to allow sunlight to reach zooxanthellae, but turbid water reduces light penetration which reduces rate of photosynthesis from zooxanthellae and hinders coral growth
Plant Adaptations in Hot Deserts
Succulence to store water in stems or leaves
Reduced leaves to minimize water loss through transpiration
Deep roots to access water deep below the surface
CAM photosynthesis to reduce water loss by opening stomata at night
Thick cuticle to reduce water loss and evaporation
Habitat Ecosystem Type
Biological community where species exists
Terrestrial Ecosystem: Forests, deserts, tundra
Aquatic Ecosystems: Freshwater (lakes, rivers), marine (oceans, coral reefs)
Animal Adaptations in Hot Deserts
Nocturnal activity to avoid the heat of day
Have long loops of henle to conserve water and produce concentrated urine
Burrow to escape heat and find moisture underground
Have large ears to radiate heat away from the body to cool it down
Grass High Temperatures, Unstable Sand and Wind Adaptation
Hairs on leaves that reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption
Rhizomes that act like a net to hold sand together to prevent erosion and stabilize it
Flexible leaves to bend without breaking in strong winds
