Ecosystems

Question 1

What is an Ecoystem?

Answer 1

An ecosystem is the name given to a community or group of living organisms (animals and plants) that live in a particular habitat. It is the interaction between living and non-living things in this environment.

Question 2

Give the definition of a ‘community’.

Answer 2

All the plants and animals found in a particular habitat.

Question 3

Give the definition of a ‘population’.

Answer 3

A population is all the organisms of the same speciesin an area.

Question 4

List 3 resources that animals compete for

Answer 4

Any 3 from:
Water
Mates
Shelter
Food
Territory

Question 5

List 3 resources that plants compete for

Answer 5

Any 3 from:
Light
Root space
Mineral ions
Water

Question 6

What is meant by the term ‘niche’?

Answer 6

A niche is a particular part or role an organism has within an ecosystem.

Each organism living in a habitat has its own niche.

Question 7

Define the term ‘adaptation’ of an organism.

Answer 7

These are features of their physical bodies or the way that they behave which allow them to survive and reproduce.

Question 8

List 3 adaptations of an organism that lives in a cold habitat e.g. the Arctic.

Answer 8

• Camouflaged to the environment
• Large body size
• Thick layer of fur
• Layer of blubber
• Small ears
• Streamlined shape

Question 9

List 3 adaptations of an organism that lives in a hot environment.

Answer 9

• Camouflaged to the environment
• Small body size
• Thin layer of fur
• Large ears
• Dry dung (poo)
• Small body size
• Less sweating
• Longer legs to keep their body off hot surfaces e.g. camels legs are long

Question 10

What is meant by the term ‘interdependence’

Answer 10

All the organisms in an ecosystem are dependent upon each other for survival

Question 11

What is a habitat?

Answer 11

The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

Question 12

Give 3 examples of a habitat

Answer 12

• Desert
• Rainforest
• Jungle
• Woodland
• Grassland
• River
• Pond
• Lake

Question 13

Ecology is…

Answer 13

The branch of Biology that studies organisms and their relationships with the living and non-living environment in which they live.

Question 14

What are the 4 levels of organisation of organisms in an ecosytems?

Answer 14

Individual organism –> Population –> Community –> Ecosystem

Question 15

What is a biotic factor and list 3 examples.

Answer 15

Living factors (Biotic factors):
e.g. availability of food, predators, pathogens, animals, plants etc.

Question 16

What is an abiotic factor and list 3 examples.

Answer 16

Non-living factors (Abiotic factors):
e.g. temperature, light intensity, moisture levels, oxygen levels, soil pH and mineral content, wind intensity, carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels.

Question 17

What is meant by the term ‘competition’?

Answer 17

When there are limited resources for a plant or animal to survive and reproduce they ‘compete’ for these resources.

Question 18

What is a ‘stable community’?

Answer 18

Astablecommunity is one where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant.

Question 19

Why do organisms (animals & plants) need adaptations?

Answer 19

Organisms have features (adaptations) that enable them to survive in the conditions in which they normally live.

Question 20

List some general adaptations for an animal living in a COLD environment

Answer 20

• Colouring is camouflaged to the environment
• Small surface: volume ratio
• Larger body size
• Streamlined shape (if lives in water)
• Layer of blubber
• Small ears

Question 21

List some general adaptations for an animal living in a HOT environment

Answer 21

• Larger surface area: volume ratio
• Colouring is camouflaged to the environment
• Smaller body size
• Thin layer of fur (less insulation)
• Large ears

Question 22

The cactus plant lives in very hot, dry conditions in the desert. Describe some of the adaptations of cacti.

Answer 22

• Waxy layer: to prevent water evaporating
• Thin spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss via transpiration
• Extensive root systems underground to maximise water absorption

Question 23

What do food chains show?

Answer 23

Food chains show the transfer of energy through a food chain.

Question 24

What type of organism is always the start of a food chain.

Answer 24

A producer - they can produce their own food by photosynthesis

Question 25

Give 3 examples of producers

Answer 25

Green plants, algae or cyanobacteria) which makes food (glucose) by photosynthesis.

Question 26

What is the name given to each level of the food chain?

Answer 26

Each level of a food chain is called a trophic level.

Question 27

How do decomposers form part of some food chains?

Answer 27

Decomposers are bacteria and fungi which break down dead plant and animal matter.

Question 28

What type of consumer is the organism that eats the producer?

Answer 28

Primary consumer

Question 29

What type of consumer is the organism that eats the primary consumer?

Answer 29

Secondary consumer

Question 30

What type of consumer is the organism that eats the secondary consumer?

Answer 30

Tertiary consumer

Question 31

What are apex predators and give an example.

Answer 31

Apex predators are carnivores with no predators. You will find them at the top of a food chain e.g. killer whale

Question 32

Distinguish between predators and prey

Answer 32

Apredatoris an animal that hunts and eats other animals, and thepreyis the animal that gets eaten by the predator.

Question 33

List some key adaptations of good predators

Answer 33

Camouflage, speed, agility, sharp claws and teeth, stealth, enhanced senses, monocular vision etc.

Question 34

List some key adaptations of prey animals

Answer 34

Camouflage, warning colouration, mimicry, speed, agility, binocular vision, protective body armor, group defensive, chemical defences