ecology Flashcards
What are behavioural adaptations?
An action an organism does to survive eg. migration.
What are structural adaptations?
Physical features of an organism that enable it to survive eg. fur.
What are functional adaptations?
Enable organisms to carry out major life processes such as photosynthesis etc.
What does MRS GREN stand for?
Movement
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition
How do an elephant’s large ears keep them cool?
Provide a large surface area to radiate heat.
How do leaves maximise their exposure to sunlight?
~Grow in alternating directions
~Staggered up the stem
~Grow perpendicularly
What prevents consumers from eating nettles?
They have little hairs that release chemical toxins when touched.
What are organisms that eat rotting or dead matter called?
Scavengers or decomposers.
How do you calculate efficiency?
Energy transferred
—————————- X100
Energy received
What are the 6 environmental factors?
~Temperature
~Water availability
~Oxygen availability
~Carbon dioxide availability
~Availability of food
~Light intensity
What are the 2 main methods for studying the abundance and distribution of organisms?
~Sample and compare 2 random areas using a quadrat.
~Study the organisms distribution across an area using a transect line.
What is the typical size of a quadrat?
1m squared.
What is percentage cover?
An estimation of the amount of area that a species covers within the quadrat.
How do you calculate percentage cover?
~Count the number of squares that are at least half covered by the organism
~Divide that number by the total number of squares
~Multiply by 100
What are transect lines used to measure?
How the abundance and distribution of an organism varies across an area or environment.
What is systematic sampling?
When something is measured in regular intervals.
Define deforestation.
The removal of large stead of trees and woodland.
Define biodiversity.
The variety of different organisms in an area.
How does deforestation cause a reduction in biodiversity?
It means smaller habitats and unstable competition.
How does CO2 contribute to trapping the sun’s radiation?
It reflects it towards the surface of the earth instead of releasing it back into space.
How do trees act as carbon sinks?
By temporarily storing large amounts of carbon for photosynthesis which removes CO2 from the atmosphere.
What are the optimal conditions for decomposition?
Warm, moist with a good oxygen supply.
What methods are used to prevent or reduce the rate of decay?
~Cooling
~Canning
~Freezing
~Drying
~Pickling (adding vinegar)
~Adding salt or sugar
Why are food preservation methods important?
Stop the food decaying as quickly which increases shelf life and reduces waste from transportation etc.
