B16 - adaptation, interdependence and competition fact test Flashcards
what is an ecosystem
the interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment
what is a species
organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring
what is a population
organisms of the same species in a habitat
what is a community
all the populations of organisms in a habitat
what is the definition of interdependence
interdependence is when, within a community, each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination etc. if one species is removed, it can have a knock off effect on the whole community
what is a stable community
a community where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant
what do plants compete for
- light
- space
- water
- mineral ions from the soil
what do animals compete for
- mates
- territory
- food
what is an abiotic factor
a non-living factor which can affect a community
what are examples of abiotic factors
- light intensity
- temperature
- moisture levels
- soil pH and mineral content
- wind intensity and direction
- carbon dioxide levels for plants
- oxygen levels for aquatic animals
what is a biotic factor
living factors which can affect a community
what are examples of biotic factors
- food availability
- new predators arriving
- new pathogens
- one species out-competing the other so numbers are no longer sufficient enough to breed
what is an adaptation
a feature organisms have which enables them to survive in the conditions in which they normally live
what is a structural adaptation
features of an organism’s body structure/appearance e.g. horns, camouflage
what is a behavioural adaptation
what an organism does e.g nocturnal
what is a functional adaptation
the way things work inside an organism’s body e.g. producing toxins
what is an extremophile
organisms that live in environments that are very extreme e.g high temperature, pressure or salt concentration
what are quadrats used for
to investigate the population size and distribution of organisms in an area
