Adaptations Flashcards
Define a species
Species are organisms that can breed together to produce fertile and viable offspring.
State the two parts of a binomial name
Genus species
State the levels of classification from biggest to smallest
domain, kingdom, phlyum, class, order, family, genus, species.
State what a phylogenetic diagram shows
Evolutionary relationships and who is most closely related (closely related species diverged more recently)
What is an abiotic factor?
A property of the environment relating to nonliving things.
What is a biotic factor?
A property of the environment relating to living things
What is an adaptation?
A structural, behavioural or physiological characteristic of an organism that enables it to survive in its natural environment
What is a structural adaptation?
Evolved modifications to an organism’s physical structure
What is a physiological adaptation?
Evolved modifications to an organism’s internal functioning or metabolic processes
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Evolved modifications to an organism’s actions
List two structural adaptations for animals living in the desert.
Insulation
Surface area to volume ratio
List five physiological adaptations for animals living in the desert.
Metabolic heat
Surface blood flow
Increase water input
Decrease water output
Evaporative cooling
List two behavioural adaptations for animals living in the desert.
Evading extreme conditions
Enduring extreme conditions
List an advantage and disadvantage of having a high SA:V ratio in the desert.
Advantage: can release heat into a cold area (like a burrow)
Disadvantage: exposure to direct sunlight can quickly increase body temperature
List an advantage and disadvantage of having a low SA:V ratio in the desert.
Advantage: does not absorb as much heat if directly exposed to sunlight or cannot avoid the heat
Disadvantage: they still need to be able to release waste heat which can be more difficult with a low SA:V ratio
Define an endotherm
an animal that produces the majority of its own heat via metabolic processes
Define an ectotherm
an animal that obtains heat primarily from the environment, rather than its own metabolic heat
Define torpor
A physiological and behavioural adaptation for survival in which an animal’s metabolic rate is severely reduced
List two structural adaptations for animals living in a cold environment.
Insulation
Surface area to volume ratio
List three physiological adaptations for animals living in a cold environment.
Endotherms
Torpor
Circulation- vasoconstriction and countercurrent circulation
List four behavioural adaptations for animals living in a cold environment.
Reducing exposed surface area
Huddling
Seeking shelter
Migration
Why is reducing surface area: volume ratio an advantage in a cold environment?
By reducing their surface area to volume ratio, an animal will release heat slowly, increasing the time it takes for body temperature to drop.
Describe the two types of torpor found in animals in cold environments.
Hibernation is a type of Torpor in endotherms in response to the cold
Brumation is a type of Torpor in ectotherms in response to the cold
Why is huddling an advantage for animals in cold environments?
Huddling artificially decreases the individual surface area to volume ratio, decreasing the amount of heat released by the animal into the environment.