Adaptations, interdependence and competition - done Flashcards
What is an individual organism?
A single member of a species
What is a population?
A number of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time
What is a community?
Multiple populations (of different species) living and interacting in the same area
What is an ecosystem?
The interaction between a community (the living, biotic part) and the non-living (abiotic) parts of the environment
What is intraspecific competition?
Competition can be between members of the same species
When are animals said to be competing?
If a group of organisms all need the same resource in order to survive and reproduce but there is a limited amount of the resource available
When is an animal said to be adapted to its habitat?
If an organism has certain features, behaviors, or other characteristics that help it to survive and reproduce in its habitat
What is interspecific competition?
Competition between members of different species
What do plants compete for? (4)
- Light
- Space
- Water
- Mineral ions
Why do plants compete for light?
Plants require light for photosynthesis in order to produce glucose, which provides them with energy for growth
Why do plants compete for space?
Plants require space above soil (so leaves can absorb maximum sunlight) and below soil (so roots can absorb water and mineral ions)
Why do plants compete for water?
Water is essential for photosynthesis and therefore plant growth
Why do plants compete for mineral ions?
Plants require various mineral ions such as nitrate ions (protein-synthesis) and magnesium (to make chlorophyll)
Why do animals compete?(3)
- food
- mates
- territory
Why do animals compete for food?
Food provides animals with the energy they require for growth and reproduction.
Why do animals compete for mates?
Animals require mated in order to reproduce and pass on their genes
Why do animals compete for territory?
Some animals compete for territory, this is an area of habitat that provides an individual with resources such as water, food, shelter and mates
What is interdependence in a community?
Within a community, each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination. If one species is removed it can affect the whole community.
What is a stable community?
is one where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant
What is an abiotic factor?
An abiotic factor is a non-living factor
Examples of abiotic factors? (8)
- light intensity
- temperature
- moisture levels
- soil ph and mineral content
- wind direction and intensity
- carbon dioxide levels
- oxygen levels
How does light intensity affect the community?
Light is needed by plants for photosynthesis. More light leads to an increase in rate of photosynthesis and an increase in plant growth rate
How does temperature affect the community?
Affects the rate of photosynthesis in plants
How does moisture levels affect the community?
Plants and animals require water to survive
How does soil ph and mineral content affect the community?
Different species of plants are adapted to different soil ph levels and nutrient concentration levels
How does wind intensity and direction affect the community?
Wind speed affects transpiration rate in plants. Transpiration affects the rate of photosynthesis as it ensures water and minerals ions are transported to the leaves.
How does Co2 levels affect the community?
CO2 is required for photosynthesis in plants. CO2 concentration affects the rate of photosynthesis
How does O2 levels affect the community?
Some aquatic animals such as fish can only survive in water with high oxygen concentrations.
What are biotic factors?
A biotic factor is a living factor
Examples of biotic factors: (4)
- food availability
- new predators
- new pathogens
- competition
How does food availability affect the community?
More food means organisms have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing. This means their populations can increase.
How does new predators affect the community?
In balanced ecosystems, predators catch enough prey to survive but not so many that they wipe out the prey population. If a new predator is introduced to the ecosystem it may become unbalanced.
How does new pathogens affect the community?
Can wipe out a species if it doesn’t have immunity to it. This can cause the community to become unstable
How does competition affect the community?
If two species compete for the same resources and one is better adapted to take advantage of theses resources then that species will out compete the other. This may continue until there are too few members of the lesser adapted species to breed successfully
What are the three types of adaptations?
- structural
- behavioral
- functional
What is a structural adaptation?
A physical part or feature of an organism
- white fur
- thick layer of fat
What is a behavioral adaptation?
The way an organism behaves
What is a functional adaptation?
Biological processes within the organism
- venom
Adaptations to the cold regions: (2)
have a small surface area : - - volume ratio to minimise heat loss to their surroundings
- A thick layer of fat or fur insulates against the cold
Adaptations to desert regions: (3)
- specially adapted kidneys which produce very concentrated urine, helping the animal to retain water
- only active in the early mornings, late evenings or at night when it is cooler
- have structures to increase their surface area : volume ratio to aid heat loss
What are extremophiles?
Organisms that can live in extreme environments such as at very high or low temperatures, pressures, or high salt concentration
What is biodiversity?
A change in where an organism lives
What does a change in distribution mean?
Is the variety of different species of organisms on Earth, or within an ecosystem
Different species depend on each other for: (3)
Food
Shelter
Maintenance of the physical environment
How does high biodiversity ensure the stability of ecosystems?
By reducing the dependence of one species on another
How to estimate population size?
no. of organisms in all quadrants x (total area where organisms live/ total area of quadrats)
