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gcse biology > b16 - adaptations, interdependence and competition > Flashcards

b16 - adaptations, interdependence and competition Flashcards

1
Q

why do organisms require materials from their surroundings?

A

to survive and reproduce

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2
Q

define a complex community

A
  • where organisms live
  • contains populations of different species from all the kingdoms
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3
Q

define an ecosystem

A

interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic factors) with the non living (abiotic) elements of their environment

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4
Q

what is the role of the Sun?

A

a source of energy for an ecosystem

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5
Q

give the name of three substances recycled through an ecosystem

A

carbon, nitrogen and water

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6
Q

give examples of animals and plants being interdependent

A
  • 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
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7
Q

what do organisms compete for?

A

resources both within their species and with populations of other species

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8
Q

define interdependence

A

if one species is removed from a community, it can affect a whole community

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9
Q

define a stable community

A

all species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant

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10
Q

give three examples of stable communities

A

1) tropical rainforests
2) mature oak woodlands
3) mature coral reefs

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11
Q

give seven examples of abiotic factors that effect communities of organisms

A

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

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12
Q

define abiotic

A

not living

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13
Q

define biotic

A

living

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14
Q

give five examples of biotic factors that effect communities of organisms

A

1) availability of food
2) new predators arriving
3) new pathogens
4) new competitors
5) interspecific competition - competitions between diff species

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15
Q

define quantitative data

A

used to describe how physical factors affect distribution

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16
Q

define distribution

A

where organisms live in an environment

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17
Q

define abundance

A

how many organisms live in a certain environment

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18
Q

how can quantitative date be obtained?

A

random quantitative sampling using a quadrat or sampling along a transect

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19
Q

define a quadrat

A

a square frame of metal or wood which might be subdivided into a group

20
Q

how is a quadrat used?

A
  • 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
21
Q

define a transect

A
  • 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
22
Q

what is the point of a transect?

A

to see a change in species distribution in a line from A to B

23
Q

what do animals compete for?

A

water, food, space, mates, breeding sites

24
Q

what must an animals territory be large enough for?

A
  • for it to find water and food
  • to have space for breeding
25
Q

what do predators compete with eachother for?

A

prey

26
Q

why should predators and prey be camouflaged?

A

so they are less easy to see

27
Q

give an example of an adaptation in an animal?

A

caterpillars may be poisonous and have warning colours so they are not eaten.

28
Q

what do plants compete for?

A

light, water, mineral ions, space

29
Q

why do some smaller plants (e.g snowdrops) flower before the trees are in leaf?

A

to ensure they get enough light, space, water and mineral ions

30
Q

why do some plants grow deep roots?

A

to reach underground water better than those with shallow roots

31
Q

why do some plants spread their seeds over a wide area?

A
  • so they don’t compete with themselves
32
Q

give two ways in which plants spread their seeds

A
  • 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
33
Q

how can you investigate competition in plants?

A
  • set up two trays of cress seeds, one crowded one spread out
  • keep other conditions identical
  • record differences in growth after a few days
34
Q

define adaptations

A

special features of organisms which allow organisms to survive in extreme conditions

35
Q

how are plants adapted?

A

to obtain light and other materials efficiently in order to make food by photosynthesis

36
Q

how are animals adapted to diet?

A

mouthparts adapted to whether they are carnivore or herbivore

37
Q

what temperatures do most organisms need to live?

A

below 40 degrees

38
Q

define extremophiles

A

organisms , usually microorganisms, adapted to live in conditions where most enzymes do not work because they would denature

39
Q

what kind of things could adaptations be?

A
  • could be structural, e.g shape and colour of organism
  • behavioural, e.g migration
  • functional, e.g antifreeze in cells
40
Q

what adaptations do animals in cold climates have?

A
  • thick fur
  • blubber under skin
  • some animals in arctic are white in winter and brown in summer so they are camouflaged
41
Q

why can bigger animals conserve energy more easily, but it is harder for them to cool down?

A

due to a lower surface area : volume ratio than smaller animals

42
Q

how are animals adapted in hot, dry conditions?

A
  • adapted to conserve water and control temperature
  • may hunt or feed at night so they remain cool during day
43
Q

how do plants lose water?

A

lost as water vapour through stomata in the leaves

44
Q

how can plants be collected in a dry environment?

A

an extensive root system

45
Q

how is a plant adapted to conserve water?

A
  • has small or waxy leaves
  • may have a swollen stem to store water

gcse biology (17 decks)

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