(Module 15) Adaptations, Interdependence And Competition

Question 1

What is a biosphere

Answer 1

The volume of the earths surface where organisms can be found, from the depths of the oceans to the tallest mountain tops

Question 2

What is a biome

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is an Ecosystem

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is a community

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is a population

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is an individual

Answer 6

The genetic and physiological adaptations of an individual organism to its environment is an important aspect of ecology

Question 7

What is interdependence

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is a stable community

Answer 8

This is a community where all creatures are in balance so that the population of a species generally remains the same

Question 9

Abiotic factors which affect communities

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What biotic factors affect communities

Answer 10

Availability of food
New pathogens or parasites
New predators
Interspecific competition

Question 11

Competition in animals

Answer 11

Animals compete for:
Territory
Food - both prey and predators
Mates to reproduce with

Question 12

What makes a successful competitor

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Competition in plants

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

What is Interspecific competition

Answer 14

This is a competition between organisms of different species e.g lions and tigers

Question 15

What is Intraspecific competition

Answer 15

This is competition between organisms of the same species, such as lions

Question 16

How have penguins adapted to stop their feet getting stuck on the ice

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What are extremophiles

Answer 17

These are creatures which have adaptions which allow them to live in environment with extreme conditions of salt, temperature or pressure

Question 18

How do plants spread seeds in areas with lots of plants

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Give the adaptions of the camel

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Give the adaptions of the artic bear moth caterpillar

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Give adaptions of the butchers broom (plant)

Answer 21

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