b16 - adaptations, interdependence and competition Flashcards
why do organisms require materials from their surroundings?
to survive and reproduce
define a complex community
- where organisms live
- contains populations of different species from all the kingdoms
define an ecosystem
interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic factors) with the non living (abiotic) elements of their environment
what is the role of the Sun?
a source of energy for an ecosystem
give the name of three substances recycled through an ecosystem
carbon, nitrogen and water
give examples of animals and plants being interdependent
- animals and plants are interdependence
- plants produce food
- animals eat plants and other animals
- animals pollinate plants and disperse seeds
- animals use plant material for nests and shelters
- plants use animal waste to obtain nutrients
what do organisms compete for?
resources both within their species and with populations of other species
define interdependence
if one species is removed from a community, it can affect a whole community
define a stable community
all species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant
give three examples of stable communities
1) tropical rainforests
2) mature oak woodlands
3) mature coral reefs
give seven examples of abiotic factors that effect communities of organisms
1) light intensity - more light increases photosynthesis
2) temperature
3) moisture levels - fresh water
4) soil pH and mineral content - too acidic, leaves turn brown
5) wind intensity and direction - affects shape of community
6) carbon dioxide levels for plants
7) availability of oxygen for aquatic animals
define abiotic
not living
define biotic
living
give five examples of biotic factors that effect communities of organisms
1) availability of food
2) new predators arriving
3) new pathogens
4) new competitors
5) interspecific competition - competitions between diff species
define quantitative data
used to describe how physical factors affect distribution
define distribution
where organisms live in an environment
define abundance
how many organisms live in a certain environment
how can quantitative date be obtained?
random quantitative sampling using a quadrat or sampling along a transect
define a quadrat
a square frame of metal or wood which might be subdivided into a group
how is a quadrat used?
- place several quadrats randomly on a field and count number of particular plant or animal.
- used to estimate the number of, e/g, daisies in a whole field
- results given in mean per square metre
define a transect
- a line is marked between two points
- a quadrat is placed every five metres along the line and organisms are counted inside
- physical factors could also be measured at each quadrat point
what is the point of a transect?
to see a change in species distribution in a line from A to B
what do animals compete for?
water, food, space, mates, breeding sites
what must an animals territory be large enough for?
- for it to find water and food
- to have space for breeding
what do predators compete with eachother for?
prey
why should predators and prey be camouflaged?
so they are less easy to see
give an example of an adaptation in an animal?
caterpillars may be poisonous and have warning colours so they are not eaten.
what do plants compete for?
light, water, mineral ions, space
why do some smaller plants (e.g snowdrops) flower before the trees are in leaf?
to ensure they get enough light, space, water and mineral ions
why do some plants grow deep roots?
to reach underground water better than those with shallow roots
why do some plants spread their seeds over a wide area?
- so they don’t compete with themselves
give two ways in which plants spread their seeds
- some plants use animals to spread their fruits and seeds
- some plants use the wind (e.g sycamore) or mini explosions (e.g broom) to spread seeds
how can you investigate competition in plants?
- set up two trays of cress seeds, one crowded one spread out
- keep other conditions identical
- record differences in growth after a few days
define adaptations
special features of organisms which allow organisms to survive in extreme conditions
how are plants adapted?
to obtain light and other materials efficiently in order to make food by photosynthesis
how are animals adapted to diet?
mouthparts adapted to whether they are carnivore or herbivore
what temperatures do most organisms need to live?
below 40 degrees
define extremophiles
organisms , usually microorganisms, adapted to live in conditions where most enzymes do not work because they would denature
what kind of things could adaptations be?
- could be structural, e.g shape and colour of organism
- behavioural, e.g migration
- functional, e.g antifreeze in cells
what adaptations do animals in cold climates have?
- thick fur
- blubber under skin
- some animals in arctic are white in winter and brown in summer so they are camouflaged
why can bigger animals conserve energy more easily, but it is harder for them to cool down?
due to a lower surface area : volume ratio than smaller animals
how are animals adapted in hot, dry conditions?
- adapted to conserve water and control temperature
- may hunt or feed at night so they remain cool during day
how do plants lose water?
lost as water vapour through stomata in the leaves
how can plants be collected in a dry environment?
an extensive root system
how is a plant adapted to conserve water?
- has small or waxy leaves
- may have a swollen stem to store water
