B1.4 Interdpendance and Adaptation Flashcards
Define ‘competition’
Interaction between organisms trying to obtain the same food/occupy the same territory.
Define ‘carnivore’
Animal that eats meat
Define ‘omnivore’
Animal that eats both meat and plants
Define ‘herbivore’
Animal that eats plants
Define ‘territory’
An area where an animal lives, feeds and actively defends it.
Explain ‘bad taste’ as an adaption
Some organisms will use warning colors as a means of advertising poisons or a foul taste to deter predators.
Explain ‘mimicry’ as an adaption
Some organisms will often try to imitate other harmful organisms in order to avoid being eaten by predators.
What helps radiate heat?
A large surface area to volume ratio - a large surface area radiates heat better.
What are plants defense mechanisms?
Mechanical defenses - external, physical adaptions
Thigmonastic defenses - react to touch
Chemical defenses - poisonous, to protect
Mimicry - mimics dangerous plant
What is the main problem in deserts?
Very little water in the sandy soil, very low rainfall, air is hot and dry.
How have cacti adapted?
>reduces surface area >store water inside folded stems >spikes protect it from being eaten >stem swells in size to take in more water >wax on stem reduces water loss >shallow root system
How has maram grass adapted?
What are it’s conditions?
Rainwater quickly drains through sand, can be hot and windy
>leaves are long thin spikes (reduce surface area-water loss)
>leaves are rolled, stomata kept inside the leaf
>waxy outer layer reduces water loss
>deep root system to absorb water and anchor the plant against wind
What is a courtship display?
Bright/large feathers (peacocks,birds of paradise) shows strength and ability to survive
Dances and arrangements - bower birds
Mating calls - lyer birds
Fights to control territory and groups of females (elk grow antlers for fighting)
Name 4 plants and how they are adapted
ACACIA - thorns to deter herbivores
MIMOSA - close up when touched to avoid being eaten
STINGING NETTLES - chemicals cause pain
BRACKEN - toxic chemicals
DEAD NETTLES - mimics nettles but without needles and chemicals
How has the arctic poppy adapted to survive?
What conditions?
Low precipitation
>avoid or tolerate freezing
>shallow root systems
>potent flowers to attract pollinators
