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Biology > B2 Understanding Our Environment > Flashcards

B2 Understanding Our Environment Flashcards

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1
Q

How can organisms be organised into groups?

A

According to shared characteristics

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2
Q

Describe insects

A

Bees or butterflies
6 legs
Body divided into 3 sections
Usually 2 pairs of wings

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3
Q

Describe arachnids

A

Spiders or scorpions
Eight legs
Body divided into 2 sections

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4
Q

Describe crustaceans

A

Crabs or woodlice
Ten legs
Body covered in hard outer covering

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5
Q

Describe myriads

A

Millipedes and centipedes
Each body segment has legs
Long, segmented body

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6
Q

What are the different classes of anthropod

A

Insects
Arachnids
Myriapods
Crustaceans

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7
Q

Organisms of the same species

A
  • may show great variation

- have more features in common than they do with organisms of a different species

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8
Q

Why is it difficult to place organisms in to distinct groups

A

The variety of life is a continuous spectrum which makes it difficult for organisms to be placed in to distinct groups

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9
Q

Describe the order of classification

A 
Kingdom
Phylum
Class 
Order 
Family 
Genus 
Species
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10
Q

Describe systems to include artificial and natural systems

A

Artificial is based on visible features

Natural is based on evolutionary links (common ancestor)

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11
Q

Explain how the use of DNA sequencing information had lead to the change in understanding classification of organisms

A

Organisms may be more closely related when compared physically. A natural system needs to adjust to form more accurate links between organisms

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12
Q

Define the term species

A

A group of organisms that are capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring

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13
Q

Explain the importance of the binomial system

A

The international basis of naming organisms

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14
Q

Explain some problems of classifying organisms into species

A

Hybrids
Organism that can reproduce asexually only
Evolution as a continuous process

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15
Q

Closely related species can: (2)

A

Have a common ancestor

May have different features if they live in different types of habitats

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16
Q

Explain how similarities and differences between species can be explained into terms of both evolutionary and ecological relationships

A

-

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17
Q

Explain the term trophic level

A

Each link in the food chain is a separate feeding level

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18
Q

Explain the difficulties in constructing pyramids

A

Organisms may belong to more than one trophic level

The problems with measuring a dry biomass

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19
Q

Explain how some energy is lost at each trophic level in a food chain

A

Heat from respiration
Movement
Excretion
Egestion

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20
Q

When animals and plants die and decay the elements in their bodies are recycled

A

-

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21
Q

Describe the importance of the decay process

A

It makes elements available for organisms again

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22
Q

How is carbon taken up by plants

A

As Carbon Dioxide

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23
Q

How is nitrogen taken by plants

A

As nitrates

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24
Q

What do plants compete for?

A 
Space 
Light 
Water 
Minerals 
Carbon dioxide
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25
Q

What do animals compete for?

A 
Food 
Space or territory 
Mates 
Water 
Shelter
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26
Q

The size of a predator population will affect the numbers of prey and vice versa

A

-

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27
Q

Define interspecifc

A

This is between organisms of different species. Red squirrels and grey squirrels compete for the same food

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28
Q

Define intraspefic

A

This is between organisms of the same species, such as two troops of baboons on the African plains. This type of competition is more significant because the needs of the two groups are identical

29
Q

Explain what is meant by the term ecological niche

A

The unique way of surviving in its environment

30
Q

Explain why the cycles of population for predator and prey are out of phase with each other

A

They are out of phase because when the population of predators is high, it will mean they will kill more preys, decreasing the population

31
Q

Describe the different types of interdependence between organisms

A
  • Parasitism: where the parasite benefits to the living host’s detriment (fleas and tapeworms)
  • Mutualism: where both species benefit including cleaner species and pollination by insects
32
Q

Explain how some animals are adapted to be successful predators

A

Binocular vision to help judge distance and size
Hunting strategy
Breeding strategy

33
Q

Explain how preys are adapted to avoid being caught

A

Monocular vision for a wide field of vision
Living in groups or herds to reduce chances of being caught
Cryptic and warning colouration
Mimicry
Breeding strategy (synchronous breeding - reproduce when the population of the predators is low)

34
Q

Plants and animals are adapted to their habitats are better able to compete for limited resources

A

-

35
Q

Explain how adaptations to cold environments help organisms to survive

A 
Thick white fur 
Small nostrils 
Sharp teeth 
Blubber below the skin 
Counter-current exchange system (cool blood from the foot returning to the body, warm blood from the body goes to the foot, heat from the descending blood warms the returning blood)
36
Q

Explain how adaptations to hot environments help organisms to survive

A 
Dry dung and concentrated urine
Hump of fat 
Nostrils which close
Bushy eyebrows 
Body tolerance to temperature change 
Long legs
Large feet
Thin fur 
Large ears 
Large body size
Wrinkled skin (increases SA to Volume ratio)
Large feet
37
Q

Explain how adaptations to dry environments help organisms to survive

A

Reduced surface area to reduce water loss
Thick wax on the surface of the leaf to reduce water loss
Pine needles have fewer pores which can lose water
Leaves can fall during the autumn as there is not much light, hence not much of use
Rounded shape reduces SA to Volume ratio
Thick wax cuticle reduces water loss
Shallow roots cover large areas
Green stem for photosynthesis

38
Q

Explain what is meant by organisms being specialist

A

Being well suited to a certain type of habitat

39
Q

Explain what is meant by organisms being generalist

A

Can survive in a range of habitats but can easily be out competed

40
Q

Explain Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection

A
  • presence of natural variation
  • competition for limited resources
  • survival of the fittest
  • inheritance of successful adaptations
41
Q

Explain how over long periods of time, the changes brought about by natural selection may result in the formation of a new species

A

Evolution is the gradual change in of an organism over time. If an organism’s surrounding change, the organisms with the natural variation will survive, whereas the ones which lack such a variation will die. The remaining organisms will mate and increase the population once again

42
Q

Why speciation requires geographical or reproductive isolation of populations

A
  • The populations get separated by some kind of barrier. This may be a geographic barrier (river, mountain range,etc) or behavioural (reproductive seasons not coinciding)
  • Over time each separated group of population evolves differently on each side of the barrier. The longer the separation, the more distinct they will become from each other
  • The two sub-populations have changed so much that they can’t interbreed. They have formed separate, yet closely related species
43
Q

Why is the theory of natural evolution is widely accepted

A
  • because it explains a wide range of observations

- because it has been discussed and tested by a wide range of scientists

44
Q

Explain Lamarck’s idea of evolution and how it differs to Darwin’s theory

A

Lamarck states that the giraffes would stretch their neck in order to reach the food higher up in the tree and the ones who were incapable would die. The successful giraffes with the longer necks would survive and pass this on to their offspring. However this isn’t possible as the only changes that can be passed down to the offspring is the changes in genes, not changes acquired in a lifetime.

Darwin states that the offspring receives the variation in genes which causes it to be successful

45
Q

Explain why Lamarck’s theory of evolution was discredited

A

His explanation didn’t have a genetic basis

46
Q

Give 3 examples of variation

A
  • The peppered moth
  • Bacteria
  • Warfarin resistance in rats
47
Q

Which finite fuels are used by the human population?

A

Minerals

Fossil fuels

48
Q

Explain how as the human population increases, resource use increase and therefore more pollution is created (4)

A

Household waste
Sewage
Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels
Sulfur dioxide from burning fuels

49
Q

How is the human population increasing?

A

Exponentially

50
Q

What is the population growth a result of?

A

Birth rate exceeding the death rate

51
Q

Explain the cause and effects of :

  • Global warming
  • Acid rain
  • Ozone depletion
A

Global warming is caused by the excess release of greenhouse gases, this increases the temperature of the planet as the infrared heat is absorbed by such Greenhouse gases

Ozone depletion is caused by the use of CFCs which allows more UV radiation through contributing to several medical problems

Acid rain is caused by Carbon dioxide, Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The pollutant dissolves in the rain to form acidic rain and causes:

  • Damages plant leaves
  • acidifies lakes
  • changes minerals available in water supplies
  • causes bronchitis
52
Q

Explain the term carbon footprint

A

The amount of greenhouse gases released in a certain period of time

53
Q

Explain how water and air pollution can be measured

A

Water pollution - Waterlouse, sludgeworm, rat-tailed maggot, mayflay larva

Air pollution - lichens

54
Q

Describe how pollution can be measured

A
  • by direct measurement of pollutant levels

- by measuring the occurrence of indicator species

55
Q

Explain why organisms have become endangered or extinct (5)

A 
Climate change
Habitat destruction 
Hunting 
Pollution 
Competition
56
Q

Describe how endangered species can be conserved

A 
Protecting habitats 
Legal protection
Educational programmes
Captive breeding programmes 
Creating artificial ecosystems 
Seed banks
57
Q

Discuss the reasons why certain whale species are close to extinction

A

Their numbers are falling below a critical level

There isn’t enough genetic variation in the population

58
Q

Explain how fish stocks and woodland can be sustained and developed

A

Quota of fishing
Replanting of woodland
Education

59
Q

How can you evaluate a conservation programme (4)

A

Genetic variation of species
Viability of populations
Available habitats
Interaction between species

60
Q

Explain reasons for conservation programmes

A

Protecting human food supply
Ensuring minimal damage to food chains
Cultural aspects
Future identification of plants for medical purposes

61
Q

Describe issues of keeping whales in captivity

A

Isolation
Lack of freedom
Captive breeding
Breach of animal rights

62
Q

Benefits of keeping whales in captivity

A

Entertainment
Tourism
Research

63
Q

Commercial uses of whales when dead or alive

A 
When alive:
- tourism 
When dead:
- food
- oil 
- cosmetics
64
Q

What aspects of whale biology remain not fully understood

A

Communication
Migration patterns
Survival at extreme depths

65
Q

Describe issues concerning whale protection

A

Getting international agreements

Difficulty in policing and enforcing such agreements as whales live in a range of locations

66
Q

How humans contribute to extinction of species

A

Human building activities destroy habitats
Humans often over hunt animals for food or pleasure
Human activities often pollute the environment
Human over-compete with animals for resources such as food
Climate change can cause species to die out- humans contribute to this change

67
Q

How does human agriculture contribute to changes in the environment

A

Use of fertilisers and pesticides
Loss of habitats
Deforestation
Animal waste

68
Q

How do towns and industries influence the environment

A 
Loss of habitat 
Quarrying and extraction of raw materials 
Dumping of waste 
Production of toxic chemicals
Sewage

Biology (6 decks)

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