B16 - Adaptations, interdependence and competition Flashcards
What are the 4 size levels in an ecosystem?
-organism
-population
-community
-ecosystem
Define population:
all the organisms of a particular species in a habitat
Define community:
all the populations of the different species in a habitat
Define ecosystem:
interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of the environment
What do organisms need to survive and reproduce?
a supply of materials from their habitat and from other living organisms there
What 3 things do animals compete for?
-food
-territory
-mates
What 4 things do plants compete for?
-light (PS)
-water (PS + rigid tissues)
-space (to grow into)
-nutrients and minerals (growth)
What is competition?
process of which living organisms (of the same/different species) interact with each other to gain limited resources such as food
Why is competition important in a community?
drives the process of natural selection, so that the more successful organisms are able to reproduce more, increasing their population
2 different species of birds live on Isabela island - suggest why:
-Isabela island is a very big island which would have more food/seeds available for the birds to eat
-less competition for food/seeds, as there is enough for both species to eat
What is interdependence?
the network of relationships between different organisms in a community, showing how all species rely on others
How can interdependence affect a community? Provide some examples of what it is important for:
-if one species is removed/decreases in numbers, the whole community will be affected in some way due to interdependence
-important for food, shelter, seed dispersal and pollination
What is a stable community? Give 2 examples:
a community (define community) where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so population sizes remain fairly constant
-ancient oak wood
-coral reef
What is an abiotic factor?
any non living aspect of an environment that can affect another organism or shape the ecosystem in some way
Give 7 examples of abiotic factors:
-wind intensity/direction
-light intensity
-moisture
-temperature
-soil pH and mineral content
-oxygen levels (aquatic animals)
-carbon dioxide levels (plants)
(W, LMT, SOC)
win limited sock
Define biotic factor:
any living aspect of an environment that can affect another organism or shape the ecosystem in some way
Give 3 examples of biotic factors:
-food availability
-one species outcompeting another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed
-new predators/pathogens
What is an adaptation?
a feature that enables an organism to survive in the conditions present in their habitat
Describe the 3 types of adaptations and provide examples:
-structural (physical features, eg colour)
-behavioural (how they behave in response to a stimulus, eg migration)
-functional (chemical processes in the organism, eg producing less sweat/urine)
Name 3 plant adaptations:
-deep/wide root system
-water-storing tissue (eg cacti)
-thick waxy cuticle
How does this show that beak depth is an inherited characteristic?
Look at this graph.
offspring have a similar beak depth to their parents
ignore positive correlation/description of it
What are extremophiles? Give an example:
-organisms with adaptations that allow them to live in environments of extreme conditions (high salt, temperature, pressure)
-bacteria living in deep sea vents
Or tardigrades (an animal)
What is an advantage that extremophiles have?
very little competition in their extreme habitat (eg deep sea vents)
RP9 - What are the 2 methods of sampling?
-quadrats (abundance of organisms within a certain area)
-transects (distribution of organisms with respect to changing abiotic factors along a straight line)
These methods will only work with plants or slow moving animals
RP9a - How would you randomly select areas within a habitat to sample a species?
-set up 15x15m area split into 1x1 squares
-use random number generator to get at least 20 pairs of coordinates (>10% of sample size to ensure the sample is representative)
Always mention using coordinates in this method to achieve randomness
RP9a - How could you use a quadrat to sample the plant’s population size within your predetermined 15x15m area?
-set down 1x1m quadrat at coordinate
-count number of organisms in quadrat
-repeat with all the other samples (>10% of sample size)
-calculate total population size using ratios
sampled area : organisms counted total area : x
RP9a - Why might using a mean value for the number of organisms per quadrat be less accurate?
-might have a small sample size
-might not be representative of the entire area
RP9b - How and where would you set up a transect to investigate the effect of changing an abiotic factor?
-lay down a tape measure from a start point to an end point
-use an area with an environmental gradient (ie a change in abiotic factors)
RP9b - How would you use continuous/systematic sampling along your predetermined transect line?
-put down a quadrat at regular intervals at least 10 times
-count number of organisms within each one
-record how many are at the specified distance along the transect
-record the abiotic factor at each sampling site
Remember to note what abiotic factor you are investigating (eg light intensity)
How does camouflage help as an adaptation?
-blends in with surroundings
-so predators can’t see the organism
Why would being brightly coloured help as an adaptation?
(remember to mention what colour it is in the question)
-warns predator that it might be dangerous/poisonous
Why do flowers that grow underneath trees always have enough mineral ions?
Do not refer to shade
-leaves from tree fall to ground and are decayed by decomposers
-mineral ions/nutrients released into soil
-taken up by flower roots later
Wasps have stings but hoverflies don’t - why does having stripes on the hoverfly help it avoid being eaten by predators?
-mimics a wasp
-predators think it has a sting
