Adaptations for Survival: Competition

Question 1

What do plants compete for?

Answer 1

• light
• space
• nutrients
• water

Question 2

How do they compete for nutrients and water?

Answer 2

deeper roots

Question 3

How do they compete for light?

Answer 3

• grow taller (faster rate than others)
• grow when others are dormant (early life cycle - e.g. snowdrops)
• more leaves
• bigger leaves

Question 4

How do plants compete for space?

Answer 4

• different methods of seed dispersal

Question 5

What are the methods of seed dispersal?

Answer 5

• animals
• wind
• mechanical (explosions)
• water

Question 6

What do animals compete for?

Answer 6

• territory
• mates
• food

Question 7

How do animals compete for mates?

Answer 7

• use attraction

- fight for females

Question 8

How do animals compete for food?

Answer 8

Herbivores:
- wider tastes for survival
- only feed on one or two types of plants
Carnivores:
- compete with their own species
- sharp eyes for spotting
- long legs for running

Question 9

How do predators / prey compete?

Answer 9

• camouflage

- use poisons/ warning colours to scare off predators

Question 10

How are female fig wasps adapted?

Answer 10

• specially shaped heads for getting into fig tree flowers

- ovipositors - place eggs deep inside flower

Question 11

What is the advantage to the fig tree atrracting the right type of fig wasps?

Answer 11

The wasps provide the right type of pollen for the tree

Question 12

How is star nosed mole adapted for survival?

Answer 12

• nasal appendages: sensitive to touch and smell - detects food underground
• shovel-like feet: digging tunnels/swimming
• fur: withstand water

Question 13

How is the venus fly-trap adapted for survival?

Answer 13

• brightly coloured/sticky nectar to attract/trap flies