Chapter 16 - Adaptations, interdependence + competition. Flashcards
Define Habitat
The place where an organism lives.
Define Population
All the organisms of the same species living together in a habitat.
Define Community
All the populations of different species living together in a habitat.
Define Biotic factor
Living factors of an ecosystem.
Define Abiotic factor
Non-living factors of an ecosystem.
Define Ecosystem
The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic elements) with the non-living parts (abiotic elements) with their environment.
Define Interdependence
The dependence of different organisms on each other for survival.
State 5 examples of Interdependence
- Plants depending on animals for seed dispersal (through faeces).
- Plants depending on animals for nutrients (from faeces).
- Plants depending on bees for pollination.
- Animals depending on plants (e.g trees) for shelter.
- Animals depending on plants for food.
In an ecosystem, what is the source of energy and how is it transferred through an ecosystem?
The source of energy is the Sun. It is transferred through an ecosystem as one organism eats another.
(Link to food chains in B17).
State 5 examples of interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem.
- Herbivores depending on plants for food.
- Animals depending on plants for shelter.
- Plants depending on herbivores for seed dispersal through faeces.
- Plants depending on animals for nutrients, from decay and faeces.
- Plants depending on bees for pollination.
State why Interdependence is important - linking it to the increase or decrease of species and the consequence.
- Interdependence is important for the survival of organisms.
- To survive and reproduce, organisms require a supply of materials from their surroundings, and from the other organisms living there.
- If there is an increase or decrease in abiotic or biotic factors the number of species in a population will also be affected.
What is meant by a ‘Stable community’?
A community where the abiotic factors and biotic factors are in balance, so the population sizes remain fairly constant.
State the main effect of a stable community on population size.
- Population sizes of each species remains fairly constant.
Give three examples of stable communities.
- Wooded Oaklands
- Coral reef
- Tropical rainforest
State the levels of organisation in an ecosystem.
(smallest - largest)
- Individual organism.
- Population.
- Community.
- Ecosystem.
Define competition.
When organisms compete with each other for the same resources.
Give 4 resources that ANIMALS compete for and why.
- Mates (reproduction)
- Food (survival, to reproduce)
- Territory (to reproduce, to keep and protect other resources they may have competed for, habitat)
- Water (survival, reproduction)
Give 4 resources that plants compete for and why.
- Nutrients/Mineral ions (energy survival, to produce healthy seeds for reproduction).
- Water (survival - photosynthesis to make food, to keep their tissues rigid).
- Space (for growth, need enough space for roots to absorb water + mineral ions, and also for leaves to absorb sunlight)
- Light (needed for photosynthesis to make food to survive).
State 3 factors that make an animal a successful competitor.
- Ability to breed successfully.
- Good fitness and healthy.
- Well adapted to finding food.
State a reason why ANIMALS may avoid competition with OTHER species.
- They may not know the other species weaknesses.
State a way at which animals may avoid competition with OTHER species.
- By eating different foods to them, (so they don’t have to compete with them for food).
State why parent plants may be in direct competition with their offspring.
research.
State 4 way that plants are adapted to cope with competition
- Some plants (near trees e.g in woodlands) may flower earlier on in the year, while tree branches are bare, allowing their leaves to capture more sunlight.
- Different sized roots - some shallower roots, to absorb mineral ions + water from soil surface, some roots that go deeper, to absorb mineral ions from deeper parts of the soil.
State why plants avoid direct competition with their SEEDLINGS.
State and explain the three main factors that plants rely on for seed dispersal.
State 2 adaptation plants may have for seed dispersal.
Describe how you could investigate the effect of competition on plant growth.
State and explain the biotic factors affecting a community.
Define adaptation
Features that enable organisms to survive in an environment which it they normally live in.
State and define the three categories that adaptations fall into.
- Behavioural adaptations, relating to how an organism behaves.
- Structural adaptations, relating to the shape or colour of an organism.
- Functional adaptations , relating to the biological process of an organism.
Give 3 examples of structural adaptations.
Give 2 examples of functional adaptations.
Give 3 examples of behavioural adaptations.
What are the 2 main reasons for adaptations in plants and animals?
- Food ; (photosynthesis in plants to produce food + Looking and eating food in animals)
- Reproduction ; (through pollination in plants + Courting/attracting mates in animals)
How can you tell what a mammal eats?
Looking at the shape of it teeth.
What are the features of the teeth of a carnivore and why?
Sharper and more defined, for eating and tearing meat.
What are the features of the teeth of a herbivore and why?
Strong flat molars, teeth that are made for grinding plants.
Define extremophile.
Organisms that live in environments that are very extreme.
State 3 conditions that extremophiles are adapted to living in.
- High pressures.
- High temperatures.
- High salt concentration.
Give an example of an extremophile.
Bacteria which live in deep sea vents, where there are high pressures and high temperature.
State why a stable community is important.
Define intraspecific competition.
Competition between organisms of the same species, for a common resource.
Define interspecific competition.
Competition between organisms of different species, for a common resource.
