Adaptions, Interdependence and Competition Flashcards
Individuals:
Individual organisms are the smallest part of an ecosystem
Populations:
Populations of individual organisms make up a single species
Communities:
Communities are made up of populations of different species
What is an ecosystem?
The interaction of a community with abiotic (non-living) parts of the environment
What do animals compete for?
- space
- food
- water
- mates
What do plants compete for?
- light
- space
- water
- mineral ions
Interdependence:
One species may rely on another species for different things.
What do organisms depend on others for?
- food
- shelter
- reproduction
- pollination/ seed dispersal
When is a community stable?
when all the species and environmental factors are balanced and population sizes remain roughly constant
Abiotic factors which can affect a community:
- Light intensity
- Temperature
- Moisture levels
- Soil pH and mineral content
- Wind intensity and direction
- Carbon dioxide levels
- Oxygen levels for aquatic animals
How does light intensity + temperature affect a community?
They have an affect on the rate of photosynthesis of plants - which are a food source or shelter for other organisms.
How does moisture levels affect a community?
Both plants and animals need water to survive
How does soil pH and mineral content affect a community?
Soil pH affects rate of decay, so how fast mineral ions return to soil (which are taken up by plants)
How does wind intensity and direction affect a community?
Wind affects the rate of transpiration (movement of water from roots to leaves) in plants which affects the temperature and photosynthesis of a plant.
How does carbon dioxide levels affect a community?
Carbon dioxide affects the rate of photosynthesis and also the distribution of species (some thrive in high C02 environments)
How does oxygen levels affect aquatic animals?
Most fish need a high concentration of oxygen to survive
Biotic factors which can affect a community:
- Food availability
- New predators
- New pathogens
- Competition
How do new pathogens affect a community?
When a new pathogen arises the population has no resistance to it so they can be wiped out quickly
Why do organisms adapt?
To survive in the conditions where they live
Types of adaptation:
- Structural: shape or colour
sharp teeth, camouflage, thick fur - Behavioral: the way an organism behaves
play dead to avoid predators, courting to attract mate - Functional: processes like reproduction and metabolism
conservation of water by producing little sweat
What are extremophiles?
They live in environments which have extreme conditions (e.g. high temperatures, pressure or salt conditions).
Example = bacteria living in deep sea vents where the pressure is high
