B16 - Adaptation, Independence and Competition Flashcards
Why do organisms survive in various environments?
Organisms have features (adaptations) that enable them to survive in the conditions in which they normally live.
What are the three categories of adaptations?
Structural, behavioural and functional.
What is an extremophile?
Some organisms live in environments that are very extreme, such as at high temperature, pressure, or salt concentration.
What do you call an organism that lives in an extreme environment?
An extremophile.
What is an example of an extremophile?
Bacteria living in deep sea vents and angler fish are extremophiles.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment.
What do animals need to survive and reproduce?
To survive and reproduce, organisms require a supply of materials from their surroundings and from the other living organisms there.
What do plants and animals in a community or habitat compete for?
Plants in a community or habitat often compete with each other for light and space, and for water and mineral ions from the soil. Animals often compete with each other for food, mates and territory.
Within a community, what do animals rely on each other for?
Within a community each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal etc.
What is interdependence?
The idea that animals rely on each other. If one species is removed it can affect the whole community.
What defines a stable community?
A stable community is one where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant.
Name all of the abiotic (non-living) factors which can affect a community?
Abiotic (non-living) factors which can affect a community are:
• light intensity
• temperature
• moisture levels
• soil pH and mineral content
• wind intensity and direction
• carbon dioxide levels for plants
• oxygen levels for aquatic animals.
Name all the biotic (living) factors which can affect a community.
Biotic (living) factors which can affect a community are:
• availability of food
• new predators arriving
• new pathogens
• one species outcompeting another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed.
What do animals compete for?
Food, territory and mates
How do animals become successful competitors?
Adaptations
