Adaptations Flashcards
What is interspecific competition?
Competition in an ecosystem for resources such as food and habitat between members of different species.
What is intraspecific competition?
Competition in sn ecosystem such as food and habitat between members of the same species.
What are adaptations?
A feature or a trait of an organism that gives it an advantage in surviving and reproducing in its ecological niche.
What is a niche?
The specific way in which an organism fits into its community or ecosystem - inculding ts actual habitat, use of resources, and its abiotic and biotic interactions.
What is survival of the fittest?
A phrase used to describe the idea that within a species, members with variations thst better allow them to compete for resources will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
What is the competition exclusion principle?
The idea that if two species occupy the same niche as each other in an ecosystem, they will compete to the point where one ‘wins’ and the other is excluded.
What is resource partitioning?
Reducing direct competition between species by evolving to occupy a slightly different niche, using different resources.
What is a structural adaptation?
Relates to the size and shape of an organism and its body parts.
What is a physiological adaptation?
Relates to how an organism’s body functions.
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Relates to an organisms behaviours.
