(Module 15) Adaptations, Interdependence And Competition Flashcards
What is a biosphere
The volume of the earths surface where organisms can be found, from the depths of the oceans to the tallest mountain tops
What is a biome
The biosphere is split into 9, classified by their main vegetation types:
Desert, scrub, tundra, boreal forest, temperate grassland, temperate forest, savanna, tropical rain forest and mountains
What is an Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a part of a biome where a set of plants, animals and microbes exist, forming a self sufficient unit in balance with the environment
What is a community
This is all different species that live in the same habitat, often used to refer to organisms of a particular kind such as a plant community on some lawn
What is a population
Ecosystems and communities contain populations of species. A population is made up of all the organisms of one species together in the same location at the same time
E.g a tree type in a forest
What is an individual
The genetic and physiological adaptations of an individual organism to its environment is an important aspect of ecology
What is interdependence
The dependence of every form of life on other living things and on the natural resources 8n its environment, such as air, soil and water
What is a stable community
This is a community where all creatures are in balance so that the population of a species generally remains the same
Abiotic factors which affect communities
Light intensity Temperature Moisture levels Soil pH Wind intensity and direction Availability of oxygen (in lakes and oceans for invertebrates and fish) Availability of carbon dioxide
What biotic factors affect communities
Availability of food
New pathogens or parasites
New predators
Interspecific competition
Competition in animals
Animals compete for:
Territory
Food - both prey and predators
Mates to reproduce with
What makes a successful competitor
A successful competitor is an animal adapted to be better at finding food or a mate than other members of its own species
Some avoid competition by feeding in a way that no other animals can do
Competition in plants
Plants compete for:
Light (for photosynthesis)
Water(for photosynthesis)
Nutrients (minerals) to make chemicals they need in their cells
Space to grow, (for roots to gather nutrients and leaves to catch sunlight)
What is Interspecific competition
This is a competition between organisms of different species e.g lions and tigers
What is Intraspecific competition
This is competition between organisms of the same species, such as lions
How have penguins adapted to stop their feet getting stuck on the ice
The penguins blood flow quickly pumps warm blood from the heart to the feet, to replace the cold blood from the feet (which were touching the ice floor). The blood is quickly pumped to keep the feet warm at all times
What are extremophiles
These are creatures which have adaptions which allow them to live in environment with extreme conditions of salt, temperature or pressure
How do plants spread seeds in areas with lots of plants
Plants use the wind to spread seeds
Plants produce fruits or seeds with special adaptions for flight to carry seeds
Plants use explosive seed pods, animals, or water as well to carry seeds to areas where they can grow
Give the adaptions of the camel
Camel:
Thick winter coat for cold winter nights
Very little sweating
Tissues that can adapt to drastic changes in temperature
Large store of fat in the humps
The ability to take water from food
Able to take large amounts of water at a time
Give the adaptions of the artic bear moth caterpillar
Can survive up to 14 years of freezing and thawing until it becomes a moth
Antifreeze in its cell
Long, dark hairs that can absorb energy and provide insulation
Give adaptions of the butchers broom (plant)
The ‘leaves’ of butchers brooms are stems, not leaves. This reduces water loss so can survive in dry, shady woodland conditions
Its ‘leaves’ are flat to reduce water loss
Flowers and berries dome straight from the stem
Stem has less stomata than leaves, so less water loss
