Biomes and Adaptations

Question 1

Define Biome.

Answer 1

Shared morphological and physiological characteristics from convergent evolution- caused by similar responses to the physical environment. Biomes are useful for identifying patterns in plant growth.

Question 2

Who first used the term Biome and when?

Answer 2

Clements and Shelford in 1939.

Question 3

Describe Biome further.

Answer 3

Major ecological units that correlate with regional climate.
A large scale and distinctive association of plant and animal communities that are best adapted to regional physical environments.
Similar regional climates produce similar morphological adaptations and vegetation structure, regardless of species.

Question 4

What 3 key environmental factors affect plant distribution?

Answer 4

Temperature,
Precipitation,
Seasonality.

Question 5

Name 9 Biomes.

Answer 5

Temperate grassland,
Savanna,
Desert,
Alpine/ Tundra,
Tropical seasonal forest,
Mediterranean,
Boreal forest,
Tropical forest,
Temperate woodland.

Question 6

Describe adaptations.

Answer 6

Special features that allow a plant or animal to live in a particular place or habitat.
They may be morphological or physiological.

Question 7

Describe some competencies a plant might gain from an adaptation.

Answer 7

Greater acquisition of raw material for photosynthesis,
Pollination,
Seed dispersal,
Outcompete rivals,
Defence against predation,
Coping with environmental extremes e.g salinity, temperature, soil water content.

Question 8

What determines climate patterns? (mostly).

Answer 8

Solar energy, and the planet’s movement in space.