Module 2 Biological Diversity Flashcards
what is an ecosystem
Any environment that contains living organism interacting with each other and the non-living parts of the environment
What does abiotic mean
non-living factors of the environment eg. humidity, sunlight
what does biotic mean
Living factors of the environment eg. human, bacteria, plants
What is selection pressure
Change in the environment results in some resource( plants, shelter, prey) becoming limited and individuals have to compete for these limited resources.
What is ecology
Ecology is the study of interrelationships between different types of organisms and between organisms and their environment.
What is an adaptation
Characteristics that an organism has inherited and that makes it suited to its environment.
What are the 3 types of adaptations
Structural
Physiological
Behavioural
What is a structural adaptation
Physical features of an organisms eg. webbed feet of a platypus
What is a physiological adaptation
How organisms function that increases the organisms chance of survival in their natural environment. eg Crabs having gills and kidneys that function to concentrate and excrete excess salt.
What is a behavioural adaptation
Action performed by an organisms in response to a stimulus that improves its chance of survival. eg puffer fish pump air inside them to blow up twice the size to frighten predator
Who is Charles Darwin
He proposed the theory of evolution by comparing Finch beaks in different islands
What is the theory of adaptation
An organism’s ability to adapt to changes in its environment and adjust accordingly over time.
What is biological diversity
Variety of all forms of life on Earth, the diversity of the characteristics that living organisms have
What is evolution
A change in living organisms over a long period
Who came up with the evolution theory by natural selection
Darwin- Wallace
