B1.4 Adaptations and the Environment Flashcards
What is an adaptation?
A characteristic which helps an organism to survive in its environment.
What adaptations do desert animals usually have? (4 adaptations)
A large surface area to volume ratio. A thin layer of body fat. A thin insulating coat. Camouflage.
What adaptations do Arctic animals usually have? (4 adaptations)
A small surface area to volume ratio. A thick layer of body fat (blubber). A thick insulating coat. Camouflage.
What adaptations do desert plants usually have? (3 adaptations)
Small surface area to volume ratio. Water storage tissues. Wide or deep root system.
What adaptations do plants usually have to deter predators? (3 adaptations)
Thorns or spines. Poisons. Warning colours.
What is an extremophile?
An organism that is adapted to survive in extreme conditions.
What do plants need to survive and reproduce?
Light, space, water and nutrients.
What do animals need to survive and reproduce?
Space, food, water and mates.
What is plant and animal competition?
Plants and animals competing with other species and members of their own species for the resources they need to survive and reproduce.
Name 4 environmental changes caused by living factors.
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.
Name 3 environmental changes caused by non-living factors.
A change in average temperature. A change in average rainfall. A change in the level of air or water pollution.
What 2 things can environmental change cause?
An increase or decrease in population size. A change in the distribution of populations.
What organisms can be used as living indicators to monitor air pollution?
Lichen
Why can lichen be used to monitor air pollution?
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.
What organisms can be used as living indicators to monitor water pollution?
Some invertebrate animals.
Why can some invertebrate animals be used to monitor water pollution?
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.
What is meant by a non-living indicator?
Something that is not alive, but can be measured or monitored to give information about environmental change.
Give 2 examples of non-living indicators and what they indicate.
Satellites can be used to monitor sea surface temperature. Rain gauges can be used to measure rainfall.
