Living Environment - Definitions and Biodiversity

Question 1

Habitat

Answer 1

The place where an organism lives

Question 2

Community

Answer 2

All the plants, animals and microorganisms within an area (habitat)

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

A number of organisms of one species living in an ecosystem

Question 4

Ecosystem

Answer 4

A biological unit made up of all the living organisms (community) within an area and the non-living environment with which they interact (habitat)

Question 5

Biodiversity

Answer 5

The variety that exists among living things

Question 6

Species

Answer 6

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Question 7

Biotic

give examples

Answer 7

Living feature of an ecosystem; such as food supply, disease, predation

Question 8

Abiotic

give examples

Answer 8

A non-living feature of an ecosystem; such as light intensity, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, wind direction

Question 9

Adaptation

Answer 9

Any feature that makes an organism well suited to living in its environment

Question 10

Competition

Answer 10

A negative interaction that occurs between organisms whenever there is demand for a limited resource

Question 11

Types of ecosystems

Answer 11

• terrestrial
• aquatic - freshwater and marine

Question 12

Why is biodiversity important to humans?

Answer 12

Provides us with resources including:
- food
- medicines
- raw materials for making clothes and buildings

Natural processes:
- nutrient cycling
- soil regeneration
- water purification
- climate regulation
- pollination

Question 13

Niche

Answer 13

The role an organism plays within its community or ecosystem

Question 14

Types of adaptation

Answer 14

• behavioural
• structural
• physiological

Question 15

Cold climate adaptations

Answer 15

Arctic poppies:
- grows close to ground
- has small leaves
This helps to conserve water and avoid damage by wind

Polar bear:
- white fur for camouflage when hunting prey
- thick layers of fat and fur for insulation
- large furry feet to distribute load, prevent frostbite and grip on ice

Question 16

Hot climate adaptations

Answer 16

Cactus:
- stems that store water
- thick waxy cuticle to reflect heat and reduce water loss
- spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss and protect them from being eaten

Camel:
- large flat feet to spread their weight across the sand to avoid sinking
- tolerate body temperatures up to 42 degrees celsius without sweating to help conserve water
- slit like nostrils and long eyelashes to keep out sand

Question 17

Look over aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Answer 17

How well did you remember?