B1.4 Adaptations and the Environment

Question 1

What is an adaptation?

Answer 1

A characteristic which helps an organism to survive in its environment.

Question 2

What adaptations do desert animals usually have? (4 adaptations)

Answer 2

A large surface area to volume ratio. A thin layer of body fat. A thin insulating coat. Camouflage.

Question 3

What adaptations do Arctic animals usually have? (4 adaptations)

Answer 3

A small surface area to volume ratio. A thick layer of body fat (blubber). A thick insulating coat. Camouflage.

Question 4

What adaptations do desert plants usually have? (3 adaptations)

Answer 4

Small surface area to volume ratio. Water storage tissues. Wide or deep root system.

Question 5

What adaptations do plants usually have to deter predators? (3 adaptations)

Answer 5

Thorns or spines. Poisons. Warning colours.

Question 6

What is an extremophile?

Answer 6

An organism that is adapted to survive in extreme conditions.

Question 7

What do plants need to survive and reproduce?

Answer 7

Light, space, water and nutrients.

Question 8

What do animals need to survive and reproduce?

Answer 8

Space, food, water and mates.

Question 9

What is plant and animal competition?

Answer 9

Plants and animals competing with other species and members of their own species for the resources they need to survive and reproduce.

Question 10

Name 4 environmental changes caused by living factors.

Answer 10

A change in the occurrence of infectious diseases. A change in the number of predators. A change in the number of prey or availability of food sources. A change in the number or types of competitors.

Question 11

Name 3 environmental changes caused by non-living factors.

Answer 11

A change in average temperature. A change in average rainfall. A change in the level of air or water pollution.

Question 12

What 2 things can environmental change cause?

Answer 12

An increase or decrease in population size. A change in the distribution of populations.

Question 13

What organisms can be used as living indicators to monitor air pollution?

Answer 13

Lichen

Question 14

Why can lichen be used to monitor air pollution?

Answer 14

They are sensitive to the concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. The number and type of lichen at a particular location will indicate how clean the air is.

Question 15

What organisms can be used as living indicators to monitor water pollution?

Answer 15

Some invertebrate animals.

Question 16

Why can some invertebrate animals be used to monitor water pollution?

Answer 16

They are very sensitive to the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water. If you find mayfly larvae in a river, it indicates that the water is clean. If you find a sludge-worm in water, it indicates a very high level of water pollution.

Question 17

What is meant by a non-living indicator?

Answer 17

Something that is not alive, but can be measured or monitored to give information about environmental change.

Question 18

Give 2 examples of non-living indicators and what they indicate.

Answer 18

Satellites can be used to monitor sea surface temperature. Rain gauges can be used to measure rainfall.