B16 Adaptation, interdependence and competition Flashcards
what is a habitat?
the environment where an organism lives
what is a population?
the total number organisms of the same species living in the same geographical area
what is a community?
the populations of all the different species that live in the same habitat
What is the biotic part of the environment?
all the living organisms of the environment
what are the abiotic parts of an environment?
the non-living parts
what is an ecosystem?
the biotic and abiotic parts of an environment and how they interact
why do living organisms have to compete with each other?
the resources they need to get from the environment are in short supply
what do plants compete for?
light
space
water
mineral ions
what do animals compete for?
food
water
mating partners
territory
what is interdependence?
where all the different species in a community depend on each other
what do plants provide for other organisms?
food
shelter
what do animals provide for other organisms?
food
pollination of plants
seed dispersal
what is a stable community?
where the populations of species remain fairly constant
this means the populations of organisms are in balance with each other and the abiotic factors in the environment
what are abiotic factors that affect communities?
- light intensity
- temperature
- moisture levels
- soil pH
- wind intensity and direction
- availability of O2 and CO2
what are some biotic factors affecting communities?
- availability of food
- new pathogens
- new predators
- interspecific competition
what is a quadrat?
a sample area used for measuring the abundance and distribution of organisms in the field
why is sampling used?
it would take too long to sample a whole area
what is a transect?
a measured line or area along which ecological measurements are made
what is competition?
the process by which living organisms compete with each other for limited resources
what do animals compete for?
- food
- terratory
- mates
what is a successful competitor?
an animal which is adapted to be better at getting a mate or find food than other organisms
what do plants compete for?
- light for photosynthesis
- water
- nutrients in the soil
- space to grow
how do plants adapt to cope with competition?
give examples of adaptations
- flowering early
- different types of roots
- growing taller
what are extremophiles?
organisms which can survive and reproduce in extreme conditions
what are some examples of extreme environments?
- high or low temperatures
- very salty environments
what are the types of adaptations in animals?
- structural
- behavioural
- functional - related to a process
what are some adaptations of animals living in cold climates?
- small SA:V ratio
- SA of thin skinned areas is small
- mammals may have insulation
- fur
what is camoflage?
a structural adaptation which allows animals to blend into their environment
what are the challenges of living in the dessert?
- lack of water
- stopping body temperature from getting too high or low
what are some adaptations of animals that live in dry climates?
- kidneys that produce concentrated urine
- most active in mornings and evenings
- rest in burrows or shade
- large SA:V ratio
- large thin ears
what are some adaptations of plants?
- changing the SA of leaves to prevent water loss or collect water
- large root systems to collect water
- fleshy leaves to store water
