Adaptations & competition

Question 1

What is an adaptation?

Answer 1

Every organism has certain features or characteristics that allow it to live successfully in its habitat. These features are called adaptations. Organisms within a community compete with each other for limited resources, including water and space. Plants also compete with each other for light and minerals.

Question 2

Polar bears are well adapted for survival in the Arctic but what are those adaptations?

Answer 2

• A white appearance as camouflage from prey on the snow and ice
• Thick layers of fat and fur for insulation against the cold
• A small surface area to volume ratio, to minimise heat loss
• A greasy coat that sheds water after swimming
• Large furry feet to distribute their load and increase grip on the ice.

Question 3

Camels live in deserts that are hot and dry during the day, but cold at night. What are their adaptations?

Answer 3

• large, flat feet to spread their weight on the sand
• thick fur on the top of the body for shade, and thin fur elsewhere to allow easy heat loss
• a large surface-area-to-volume ratio to maximise heat loss
• the ability to go for a long time without water - they don’t store water in their humps, but they lose very little water through urination and perspiration
• the ability to tolerate body temperatures up to 42ºC
• slit-like nostrils and two rows of eyelashes to help keep out sand.

Question 4

Cacti are well adapted for survival in the desert but whate are their adaptations?

Answer 4

• stems that can store water
• widespread root systems that can collect water from a large area.
• cacti have spines instead of leaves. These minimise the surface area and so reduce water loss by transpiration. The spines also protect the cacti from animals that might eat them.

Question 5

What are extremophiles?

Answer 5

Extremophiles are organisms that live in very extreme environments and can survive conditions that would kill most other organisms.

Question 6

What 3 conditions can extremophiles live in that most organisms cant?

Answer 6

• High temperatures
• High concentrations of salt in water
• High pressures.

Question 7

What resources do animals compete for?

Answer 7

• Food
• Water
• Space

Question 8

What resources do plants compete for?

Answer 8

• Water
• Space
• Mineral salts.