B1 Adaptations + environmental change SPEC Flashcards
What does population size depend on?
Variety of factors including competition predation disease human influences
What does changes in the environment might affect?
Distribution
Behaviour of organisms
What does organisms require to survive and reproduce?
Supply of materials from surroundings
from other organisms living there
What do plants compete with each other for?
Light
space
water
nutrient from the soil
What do animals compete with each other for?
Food
mates
territory
What is meant by “adaptations”?
Features
enable organisms (including microorganism)
survive in conditions
in which they normally live
Characteristics of extremophiles?
Organisms adapted to very extreme envir
Tolerant high levels salt
high pressures
high temperatures
How may animals be adapted for survival in dry and arctic environments?
changes to surface area
thickness of insulating coat
amount of body fat
camouflage
Adaptations of desert animals?
loss less water
small amounts of concentrated urine
make little sweat
thin layer of body fat
lose body heat
camels: fat in humps
large feet
spread weight across soft sand
getting abt easier
sandy colour
camouflage
not easy for predators to spot
surface area?
Adaptations of Arctic animals
thick fur + fat under skin
keep them warm
white in winter
brown in summer
camouflaged to surroundings
Small surface area:volume ratio
conserve energy more easily
big feet
spreading weight
stops sinking into snow/breaking ice
How may plants be adapted to survive in dry environment?
changes to surface area, particularly of the leaves
water-storage tissues
extensive root systems
Adaptation of desert plants
extensive root system
deep roots
small or waxy leaves
swollen stem
conserve water
small surface area compared to size
reduce water loss
How may plants + animals be adapted to cope with specific features of their environment?
thorns
poisons
warning colours
deter predators
Animals + plants are subjected to environmental changes.
What are those changes caused by?
Living factor: change in a competitor
Non-living factors: average temp or rainfall
What are lichens used for?
Air pollution indicator
concentration of sulfur dioxide in atmosphere
