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adaptations Flashcards

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1
Q

adaptation definition

A

an inherited characteristic that increases the likelihood of survival and reproduction of an individual organism in a particular environment. The result of the evolutionary process of natural selection have has a genetic basis that is passed down from generation to generation.

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2
Q

abiotic factor definiton

A

a property of the environment relating to non-living things e.g temperature, nutrient availability and water availability

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3
Q

biotic factor definition

A

a property of the environment relating to living things e.g predator-prey relationships, competition and symbiotic relationships.

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4
Q

why do organisms evolve adaptations?

A

to deal with the abiotic and biotic factors in their environment. For each factor, an organism will have a range of conditions with which it will thrive, survive, or not stay alive.

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5
Q

tolerance range definition

A

the range of environmental conditions in which an organism can survive

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6
Q

desert definition

A

a geographic area receiving an average less than 250 mm of rain per year

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7
Q

recall the three types of adaptations for survival

A
  1. Structural adaptation
  2. Physiological adaptation
  3. Behavioural adaptation
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8
Q

define structural adaptation

A

evolved modifications to an organisms physical structural that benefits survival in response to environmental conditions/changes

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9
Q

define physiological adaptation

A

evolved modifications to an organisms internal functioning or metabolic processes that benefits survival in response to environmental conditions/changes

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10
Q

define behavioural adaptation

A

evolved modifications to an organisms actions that benefits survival in response to environmental conditions/changes

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11
Q

thermoregulation definition

A

the homeostatic process of maintaining a constant internal body temperature - an adaptation for desert animal survival

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12
Q

recall the two types of structural adaptations for desert animal survival

A
  1. Insulation
  2. Surface area to volume ratio
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13
Q

define insulation

A

the more insulated an animal is, the harder it is for the animal to release heat into the environment. The less insulated an animal is, the easier it is to release heat into the environment. Animals have evolved the optimal thickness of fur and fat to regulate temperature. As many desert animals release heat into the environment, a thin insulating layer is often preferable.

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14
Q

define surface area to volume ratio

A

a comparison of surface area per unit of volume. Influences temperature regulation, and high SA:V leads to more effective transport into and out of cells.

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15
Q

describe a high SA:V ratio with reference to animals adaptations in the desert

A

an animal with high SA:V ratio releases or absorbs a proportionally large amount of heat in little time, allowing their body to quickly change. In the desert, a high SA:V ratio may be beneficial if you release heat into a cold microclimate, but exposure to direct sunlight may quickly increase body temperature.

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16
Q

describe an animal with low SA:V ratio with reference to animals adaptations in the desert

A

an animal with low SA:V ratio releases or absorbs a proportionally low amount of heat and their internal body temperature is resistant to change. In the desert, a low SA:V ratio may be beneficial for an animal if it is exposed to direct sunlight or cannot avoid heat. However, animals with low SA:V ratios must still release waste heat.

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17
Q

recall the three ways in which organisms exchange heat with the environment

A
  1. Radiation
  2. Conduction
  3. Convection
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18
Q

define radiation

A

the transfer of heat through infrared waves, aiding in temperature regulation without contact

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19
Q

define conduction

A

the transfer of heat between animals or surfaces through direct physical contact

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20
Q

define convection

A

the transfer of heat in animals through fluid (air or water) movement around the body or in the body

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21
Q

recall the 5 physiological adaptations for the survival of desert animals

A
  1. Metabolic heat
  2. surface blood flow
  3. increase water input
  4. decrease water output
  5. evaporative cooling
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22
Q

define metabolic heat

A

an animal can either be an endotherm or an ectotherm for generating heat

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23
Q

endotherm definition

A

an animal that produces the majority of its own heat via metabolic processes

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24
Q

ectotherm definition

A

an animal that obtains heat primarily from the environment, rather than it’s own metabolic heat

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25
Q

define torpor

A

a physiological and behavioural adaptation for which the metabolism of an animal is reduced to conserve energy

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26
Q

define aestivation

A

prolonged torpor in response to hot and dry conditions

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27
Q

define surface blood flow

A

when internal temperature rises after activity, blood vessels near the skin dilate and total surface blood flow increases. This hot blood releases heat into the environment, cooling the animal down.

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28
Q

vasodilation definition

A

the widening of blood vessels

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29
Q

define increase water input

A

due to the low water availability of surface water, most desert animals obtain their water from other sources, including the food that they eat. Other sources of water include drinking the dewfall that occurs at night, and the metabolic production of water during aerobic cellular respiration. Many desert animals have adapted to survive entirely on the water they consume from food and the water produced during aerobic cellular respiration - they never have to drink at all.

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30
Q

define decrease water output

A

desert animals mostly excrete concentrated urine with very little water by having an extremely long loop of henle in the nephron. Reptiles and birds us less water by excreting uric acid with other wastes in a semi-solid state. Additionally, desert animals have evolved highly complex digestive systems which absorb the maximum amount of water and nutrients from the food the ingest and the faeces they excrete.

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31
Q

describe evaporative cooling

A

the loss of heat via the conversion of water from liquid to gas. Works because water has a high specific heat capacity and latent heat of vaporisation, which means that it takes a lot of energy to raise the temperature of water and to convert water into water vapour. Evaporative cooling cools you down because the heat from your body is removed when water evaporates (may cause dehydration).

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32
Q

recall the two general behavioural strategies demonstrated by desert animals

A
  1. Evaders
  2. Endurers
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33
Q

define evaders

A

generally smaller animals that modify their behaviours to avoid extreme temperatures and high internal body temperatures

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34
Q

define endurers

A

generally larger animals that do not avoid extreme temperatures. While endurers display greater resistance to environmental warming in high-temperature conditions, they still must release metabolic waste and absorbed heat into the environment in order to survive.

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35
Q

recall the four ways in which plants adapt to the desert

A
  1. Decreasing heat uptake
  2. Increasing water uptake
  3. Water storage
  4. Minimising water loss
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36
Q

define decreasing heat uptake

A

maintaining a temperature closest to the optimal temperature tolerance range of an animal is beneficial. In hot environments, this usually requires the plant to limit heat absorption to limit temperature increases.

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37
Q

recall the three common strategies to limit heat absorption

A
  1. Having lightly coloured or reflective leaves (or photosynthetic organs)
  2. Producing leaves of smaller surface area
  3. Orientating their leaves vertically to minimise the surface area exposed to the sun
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38
Q

photosynthetic organs definition

A

the macro structures that are the site of photosynthesis in plants, including leaves and photosynthetic branches

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39
Q

describe increasing water uptake

A

plants get the vast majority of their water by absorbing water through their roots. Due to the little precipitation in the desert, many long-living desert plants have extensive deep root systems capable or reaching groundwater reserves. Other desert plants spread roots horizontally to absorb the maximum amount of surface water during the brief periods of rain, and store this water for later use.

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40
Q

describe water storage

A

to increase the availability of water, rather than developing highly complex root systems to gain water all year round, some plants collect huge amounts of water during the rainy season and store this water for us in the dry season

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41
Q

describe minimising water loss

A

plants reduce water loss to the environment by reducing the rate of water loss through the stromata during the day. This can be done by reducing the stromatal density, by using sunken stromata that produce pockets of humid air, or by maintaining a humid environment around the leaf by folding or rolling their leaves. Stromata are regulated by guard cells. During the hottest parts of the day, when the water loss to transpiration is highest, the guard cells lose water and turgor pressure within the cell drops. Consequently, the guard cells become flaccid and the stromata close, preventing the exchange of gases with the environment

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42
Q

define stroma (plural. stromata)

A

small pores on the leafs surface that open and close to regulate gas exchange

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43
Q

guard cells definition

A

a pair of curved cells that surround a stoma. When hot they lose turgor pressure and become flaccid, closing the stromata to limit water loss

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44
Q

recall the 4 most influential abiotic factors that influence organisms in cold environments

A
  1. Low temperature
  2. Piercing winds
  3. Low availability of nutrients
  4. Precipitation as snow
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45
Q

define low temperature

A

at low temperatures the reactions required for life slow down or stop. Additionally, water may freeze cell contents and rupture cells.

46
Q

define piercing winds

A

high winds can exert strong pressures and forces on plants, and can dramatically increase the heat lost by an organism

47
Q

define low availability of nutrients

A

plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and use nutrients as the building blocks of macromolecules such as proteins. A lack of nutrients restricts macromolecule synthesis and overall growth rate.

48
Q

define precipitation as snow

A

snow falling instead of rain, and surface water freezing in sub-zero temperatures, make it difficult for organisms to obtain the liquid water required for their survival.

49
Q

recall the two structural adaptations for animals in cold environments

A
  1. Insulation
  2. Surface area to volume ratio
50
Q

define insulation

A

in cold environments, you will often find animals that have a thick insulating layer covering their entire body. Such insulation is usually composed of thick fur, plumage, or subdermal fat to provide maximum protection against heat release into the environment.

51
Q

define surface area to volume ratio

A

an animals surface area to volume ratio can severely impact the rate of heat transfer both into and out of the body. By reducing their surface area to volume ratio, an animal will release heat slowly, increasing the time it takes for body temperature to drop. In cold environments, the more you resemble a sphere (the object with the lowest SA:V ratio) the easier it is to maintain a constant body temperature in a cold environment.

52
Q

recall the three physiological adaptations of animals in cold environments

A
  1. Endotherms vs ectotherms
  2. Torpor
  3. Circulation
52
Q

define endotherms versus ectotherms

A

endotherms are more typical to cold environments because animals cannot obtain heat from an environment with a lower temperature than their body, so maintaining a stable body temperature via internal metabolic processes, is typically advantageous. Given that the body temperature of ectotherms generally matches that of the ambient temperature, cold-adapted ectotherms must be able to tolerate extremely low temperature

53
Q

recall the two types of torpor relevant to animals adaptations in cold environments

A
  1. Hibernation
  2. Brumation
54
Q

define hibernation

A

a prolonged torpor in response to seasonal cold conditions. Occurs in endoderms such as mammals and birds.

55
Q

define brumation

A

prolonged torpor in response to seasonal cold conditions. Occurs in ectotherms such as snakes and lizards

56
Q

how is hibernation and brumation beneficial?

A

help an animal survive extended periods in a state of low metabolic activity and body temperature. A state or torpor is beneficial as the reduction in metabolic rate allows the animal to survive on very little food or water, and remaining inactive in shelter allows animals to avoid harsh weather.

57
Q

recall the two types of circulation beneficial to animals in the cold

A
  1. Vasoconstriction
  2. Counter current circulation techniques
58
Q

define vasoconstriction

A

occurs when the diameter of small blood vessels in the skin and overall blood flow is reduced. When many animals are required to conserve heat, the body sends signals to constrict these blood vessels and heat loss is minimised.

59
Q

define countercurrent circulation

A

an efficient heat transfer method where seperate components of the circulatory system flow next to eachother in opposite directions. Used to cool blooding heading to the outer surface and heat blood heading back to the body’s core.

60
Q

define periphery

A

the outside boundary of a structure. In animals the peripherals refer to the structure such as the arms, legs or skin

61
Q

describe the interaction of the periphery and countercurrent circulation

A

animals used the heat in blood travelling from the heart to heat cool blood returning from the animals periphery, meaning that the core body temperature is not lowered. Additionally, this cools blood heading towards the periphery, so the temperature gradient between the periphery and the environment is reduced and less heat is released to the environment. The combination of both of these effects means that countercurrent circulation makes it much easier to maintain as table core body temperature.

62
Q

recall the four types of animal behavioural adaptations in cold environments

A
  1. Reducing exposed surface area
  2. Huddling
  3. Seeking shelter
  4. Migrating to a warmer climate
63
Q

define reducing exposed surface area

A

objects with lower surface area to volume ratios release less heat, so many animals will reduce their surface area to volume ratio by hiding or protecting their peripherals as temperatures drop

64
Q

define huddling

A

by huddling, animals artificially decrease their individual surface area to volume ratio, decreasing the amount of heat released by the animal into the environment

65
Q

define seeking shelter

A

critically low temperatures and wind chill can quickly drop temperature, causing permanent damage or death. By seeking shelter, animals can surround themselves in a stable microclimate with little or no wind and more forgiving temperatures. Animal shelters typically include underground burrows, dens, or rocky outcrops.

66
Q

define migrating to a warmer climate

A

rather than adapt to the cold, many animals will simply migrate to a lower altitude or more moderate latitudes where resources are more readily available. Warmer climates are also typically easier for breeding and raising newborns.

67
Q

define migration

A

the seasonal movement of animals from one area to another

68
Q

define ecology

A

the study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment

69
Q

define biodiversity

A

the variety of life in the world or within a particular habitat

70
Q

recall the five main levels of ecological organisation

A
  1. Cell
  2. Organism
  3. Population
  4. Community
  5. Ecosystem
71
Q

define cell

A

the smallest functional unit of a living organism

72
Q

define organism

A

a living thing madeup of one or more cells

73
Q

define population

A

a group of individuals of the same species living in the same geographic location

74
Q

define community

A

a group of interacting populations of different species in the same geographical region

75
Q

define ecosystem

A

multiple communities interacting with one another and their physical environment

76
Q

recall the three main characteristics of a population

A
  1. Population size
  2. Population distribution
  3. Population density
77
Q

define population size

A

the number of individuals in a population. Size may change die to birth, death, emmigration and immigration, but it limited to a carrying capacity.

78
Q

define carrying capacity

A

the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely

79
Q

define immigration

A

the migration of individuals into a population

80
Q

define emigration

A

the migration of individuals out of a population

81
Q

recall the formula that is used to predict population change

A
82
Q

define population distribution

A

the range of geographical areas that members of a population can be found in. Overtime, distributions are not static and will change due to environmental factors such as temperatures, rainfall, invasive species and habitat loss

83
Q

recall the three types of population distribution

A
84
Q

define population density

A

the number of individuals in a population per unit area

85
Q

recall the two types of population density

A
  1. Density independant factors
  2. Density-dependant factors
86
Q

define density independant factors

A

properties of the environment that are affected as density changes, such as climate. The same density-independant factor will have the same effect on two populations of different densities

87
Q

define density-dependant factors

A

properties of the environment that change with the density of a species, such as the availability of resources. As density increases, the effect of the density-dependant factors becomes stronger

88
Q

define symbiosis

A

an interaction between two organisms of different species living in close proximity to eachtoher

89
Q

recall the 6 types of symbiosis

A
  1. Commensalism
  2. Predation
  3. Mutualism
  4. Parasitism
  5. Amensalism
  6. Competition
90
Q

define commensalism

A

interactions between two organisms of different species where one gains some benefit while the other experiences significant benefit or harm

91
Q

define predation

A

interactions between different species where one organism hunts and kills another organism for food

92
Q

define mutualism

A

interactions between two organisms of different species where both parties experience some overall benefit

93
Q

define parasitism

A

interactions between two organisms of different species where one organism obtains nutrients at the expense of a host

94
Q

define micropredation

A

a species that eats part of another organism but does not kill it

95
Q

define amensalism

A

interactions between two organisms of different species where one organism experiences some negative effect while the other experiences neither a beneficial nor negative effect

96
Q

define competition

A

interactions between two or more organisms competing for the same pool or resources

97
Q

recall the two types of competition

A
  1. Interspecific competition
  2. Intraspecific competition
98
Q

define interspecific competition

A

the competition for resources between members of different species

99
Q

define intraspecific competition

A

the competition of resources between members of the same species

100
Q

define keystone species

A

a specifies whose effects on an ecosystem are greater than expected relative to its population

101
Q

recall the two common rolls keystone species fulfill

A
  1. Apex predator
  2. Ecosystem engineer
102
Q

define apex predator

A

a predator that has no natural predators and is at the top of its food chain

103
Q

define ecosystem engineer

A

an organism that creates, significantly alters, or maintains the structure of an environment

104
Q

define indigenous australian ways of knowing

A

a system of knowledge and beliefs cultivated and preserved by indigenous australians

105
Q

define holistic

A

an approach to knowledge that views all things as intimately connected

106
Q

define country

A

an area that is traditionally owned and looked after by an aboriginal language group or community, or by certain people within that group. The term may indicate more than simply a geographical area - it is also a concept that can encompass the spiritual meaning and feelings of deep connection and attachment associated with that area.

107
Q

define pyrophilic

A

a plant for which fire is a necessary part of its life cycle

108
Q

define epicormic shoots

A

a fresh growth from a plant that is stimulated to develop after the plant has been damaged

109
Q

define fire mosaic

A

the pattern created by indigenous australian cultural fire management in which some areas of land are formed while others are left to regenerate

110
Q

define dreamtime

A

the set of stories and beliefs of some indigenous australians particularly pertaining to the world and its creation

Biology 1 & 2 (8 decks)

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