B2 - Competition, Interdependence and Adaptation Flashcards
What is competition? What do plants and animals compete for?
Fight for resources is competition.
Plants compete for:
- light
- space
- water
- minerals
- carbon dioxide
Animals compete for:
- food
- space or territory
- mates
- water
- shelter
What is a niche?
The unique way an organism has of surviving in its environment
Define and explain the two types of competition.
Interspecific – between organisms of different species.
Intraspecific – between groups of organisms of the same species.
What are the characteristics of a predator?
• binocular vision to judge size and distance when hunting
• strength and speed to chase prey when hunting
• camouflage to prevent detection during stalking
• good senses to detect prey, such as hearing and smell
• large teeth and claws to hold and kill prey
• hunt either in a pack, or alone using stealth
• have small numbers of young (insuficient prey to support more).
What are the characteristics of a prey?
• monocular vision to give good all-round vision
• speed to escape predators
• herd lifestyle to reduce chance of individuals being killed or singled out by predators
• some have stings or poison.
• camouflage
• have large numbers of young (as many will be killed)
• young born simultaneously (so only some are killed).
What are the two types of relationship?
• mutualism – here both organisms benefit
• parasitism – here one organism benefits at the cost of the other.
What are some polar bear adaptations to cold environments?
Small ears – reduces the surface area of the ear, and so less heat is transferred to the environment
Thick white fur – insulates the body against the cold, and camouflages the bear
Sharp teeth – to kill prey
Strong, long legs – contain large muscles that contract so the bear can run on land or swim in water
Big feet with fur - spread the load of the animal on the snow or ice: fur helps grip and helps insulate against the snow
Claws - for killing and holding prey
Blubber - insulates against heat transfer. Stored fat can be used for respiration to generate heat
Large body size - reduces sa to v ratio so reduces heat loss
What are some whale adaptations to cold environments ?
Blubber - insulates against heat transfer. Stored fat can be used for respiration to generate heat
Large body size - reduces sa to v ratio so reduces heat loss
Fins - balance the whale during swimming
Muscular tail - contains large muscles that contract to generate movement during swimming to catch prey
What are some camel adaptations to cold environments?
Dry dung and concentrated urine - reduce water loss in waste
Hump of fat - fat stored in one place reduced all round insulation. Can be broken down to release water
Nostrils which close - prevent breathing sand
Bushy eyelashes - stop sand entering eyes
Body tolerance to temp changes - does not need to swear so much when hot
Long legs - lift body off hot sand
Large feet - spread the load, stop the camel sinking into the sand
What are some elephant adaptations to cold environments ?
Thin fur - less warm air is trapped, reducing insulation
Large ears - lose heat by radiation, and used to fan the body
Large body size - can knock over plants and shrubs for food
Wrinkled skin - increases the surface area from which to lose heat
Trunk - suck up water to drink and go spray over body to cool itself
Large feet - spread the load, stop the camel sinking into the sand
What are some biochemical adaptations ?
- bacteria living in hot water springs and geysers in volcanic areas can survive temperatures above 80°C. Their enzymes work well at the high temperatures. Normal enzymes would be destroyed.
- some organisms have to withstand extreme cold. Periwinkles living on the beach produce glycerol as an antifreeze in winter. Carrots in frosty soils produce a protein - based antifreeze.
What are some physiological adaptations ?
Penguins living in ice have a special blood flow system called a counter - current exchange system:
- cool blood from foot retenues to body
- warm blood from the body going to the foot
- heat from the descending blood warms the returning blood
What are the conditions in northern pine forests ? How are pine trees adapted to it?
Conditions - water is scarce as for much of the winter the water freezes in the soil and cannot be absorbed by roots.
Adaptations - leaves are reduced to needles to reduce the surface area ; this reduces water loss.
Thick wax on the surface of the leaf also reduces water loss.
Pine needles have fewer pores form which water can be lost.
What are the conditions in temperate forests ? How are oak trees adapted to it?
Contions - cold and not much light in winter; sunny and moist in summer
Adaptation - leaves fall from the trees in the autumn - there is not much light for photosynthesis , so leaves have no function in the winter.
Leaves have a larger surface area to make the most of the summer sun.
Wax on the leaf surface is thinner as there is plenty of water in the soil for most of the year.
What are the conditions in deserts? How are cactuses adapted to it?
Conditions - very little water in the sandy soil; very low rainfall. Air is hot and dry.
Adaptations - leaves are spines, which reduces their surface area: this reduces water loss.
Rounded shape reduces surface area to volume ratio.
Spines are less likely to be eaten by animals.
Thick wax cuticle reduces water loss.
Shallow root system to cover great areas, to absorb water when it does rain.
Stems are swollen to store water , and some have grooves so they can expand.
Green stem for photosynthesis.
