B15 Ecology Flashcards
Habitat
The part of an ecosystem where an organism lives.
Species
This is a group of organisms that can
breed together to produce fertile offspring.
Population
This is the organisms of the same species that share a particular habitat.
Community
This is made up of all the organisms that share a particular habitat.
Competition
A word that describes the fact that organisms often need the same resources
Interderpendant
A word that describes
how organisms rely on
and impact upon each
other.
Biotic factors
Other living things that can affect a particular population. E.g a new pathogen or parasite
Abiotic factors
Non-living things that can affect a particular population e.g light intensity
Temperature
- Can limit photosynthesis and therefore growth in plants
- Cold climates can affect numbers of herbivores that can survive and so the number of carnivores in the community
Moisture levels
- If there is no water there will be little or no life
- After rain many plants grow ,flower and seeds very quickly while water is available.
Soil pH
- The level of mineral ions, for example, nitrate ions , has a considerable impact on the distribution of plants.
- The nitrates plants need are provided when they break down the animal protein
- Most other plants struggle to grow in areas with low levels of mineral ions.
- The pH of soil also has major effect on what can grow in it and on the rate of decay and therefore on the release of mineral ions back into the soil
Wind intensity
-The whole landscape is affected by the wind. It also means that plants transpire fast.
Availiabilty of oxygen
- the availability of oxygen has a huge impact on water - living organisms with very low oxygen levels
- The proportion of oxygen in the air varies very little
Availability of carbon dioxide
-The level of carbon dioxide acts a limiting factor for photosynthesis and plant growth. It can also affect the distribution of organisms.
Light intensity
Can limit photosynthesis so affects distribution of plants and animals
Breeding cycles of many animals and plants is linked to day length and light intensity
Food availability
When there is lots of food, organisms breed more easily
New predators arriving
Organisms that have no defences against new predators may quickly be wiped out.
New pathogens
When a new pathogen or parasite emerges, organisms have no resistance to the disease.
New competitors
A new species may outcompete another to the point where numbers become too low for successful breeding.
What are carnivores in competition for?
Carnivores compete For Small Pray
What do prey organisms compete for?
Prey organisms compete with eachother
not to get caught.
Why are animals that eat a wide range of food more likely to be
successful?
Animals that eat a wide food
range are more likely to be Successful because
they are less likely to ever run out of food.
Why was the introduction of rabbits to Australia bad for the
‘native’ ecosystem?
It was bad because Species couldn’t
eat grass like rabbits can So lost.
Give two reasons why an animal needs to set-up and defend a
territory
Animals need to set up a territory to make Sure they
have enough food and SO the, Can Protect their young Ones.
Give two ways in which males compete for females
- The males fight between themselves.
- They have Spectacular adaptations to
hep then Stand Out.
Abiotic resources
Plants compete for several abiotic (non-living resources), including light, water and space to grow
Give three examples of how plants avoid competition with each other (1/3)
Different types of roots, Some Plants have
Shallow roots taking Water and nutrients.
Other Plants have long roots that go Ear
Underground.
Give three examples of how plants avoid competition with each other (2/3)
Shall Plants grow earlier So it gets Plenty of
Sunlight and the dormant trees take Very little Water
Out of the Soil.
Give three examples of how plants avoid competition with each other (3/3)
Some Plants have adaptations such as tendrils
Or Suckers that allow then to Climb up artificial
Structures or large trees to reach the light.
Give two ways that plants spread or ‘disperse’ their seeds in
order to reduce competition between the parent plant and it’s
seedlings.
- Some Plants use explosive Seed Pods, animals,
even water to Carry their seeds as far away as
possible - Many Plants use the Wind
What is a structural adaptation?
Features related to physical structures- shape,colour
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Features related to short or long-term behaviours - migration, basking ,tool use etc
What is a physiological/ functional adaptation?
Features related to processes - usually internal, cellular processes
Give 2 examples of plant structual adaptations?
- plants with wide-ranging, shallow roots to absorb lots of water after rain, large leaves to maximise photosynthesis and flowers, which attract insects to pollinate them.
- formation of spines, which are found on many species, such as cacti and roses, and can stop a plant being eaten by grazing animals.
Give 2 examples of plant behaviour adaptations?
- All plant shoots grow quickly towards the light to maximise photosynthesis.
- Growth towards the light and other tropisms ensure that plants can respond to changes in their environment.
Give 2 examples of plant physiological/functional adaptations?
- the formation of poisons for defence. The nettle plant stings us when we brush the tiny needles on its leaves, which contain poison.
- deadly nightshade, are so poisonous they can kill if consumed by humans.
Give 1 examples of animal physiological/functional adaptations?
snakes and spiders produce venom both to defend themselves and kill their prey.
Give 2 examples of animal structural adaptations?
- Predators and prey often have similar adaptations. Both are likely to have good vision and hearing. Prey often has eyes on the sides of their heads to easily spot predators
- Animals have a wide range of structural adaptations including sharp claws to catch prey, dig burrows or scratch trees to signal territories.
Give 2 examples of animal behaviour adaptations?
- The scratching of trees is a behavioural adaption
- A male peacock bird showing his tail feathers to attract a female mate
Define the term
extremophile
An organism that can survive and reproduce in extreme conditions
Give two examples of adaptations
found in different extremophiles
Penguins at the South Pole have many of the same adaptations. In addition, the male Emperor penguins have evolved to insulate their egg on their feet throughout winter.
Animals, like polar bears, at the North Pole are adapted to suit these conditions. They have thick white fur for insulation and camouflage.
