Paper 2: Topic 7 Ecology - Adaptations, interdependence & competition

Question 1

Define the term ecology

Answer 1

The study of living organisms and their habitats

Question 2

Define the term habitat

Answer 2

The place where an organism lives

Question 3

Define the term population

Answer 3

The number of all the individuals of one species living in a defined habitat

Question 4

Define the term community

Answer 4

All the populations of different species living in a defined habitat

Question 5

Define the term ecosystem

Answer 5

An ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment

Question 6

Define the term abiotic factor

Answer 6

A non-living factor within the environment

Question 7

Define the term biotic factor

Answer 7

A living factor within the environment

Question 8

Give 4 examples of biotic factors

Answer 8

1. Arrival of new predators
2. Availability of prey
3. Arrival of new pathogens
4. Competition with another species

Hint: think “3Ps”

Question 9

Give 7 examples of abiotic factors that affect plants

Answer 9

1. pH of the soil
2. temperature
3. Availability of water
4. Availability of mineral ions
5. Availability of carbon dioxide
6. Light intensity and duration
7. Wind intensity and direction

Question 10

Give 3 examples of abiotic factors that affect animals

Answer 10

1. Availability of oxygen
2. Temperature
3. Availability of nutrients

Question 11

State 3 resources that plants compete against each for

Answer 11

1. Light
2. Water
3. Space

Question 12

State 4 resources that animals compete against each other for

Answer 12

1. Mate
2. Territory
3. Food
4. Water

Question 13

Define the term intra-species competition

Answer 13

Competition for a resource between two members of the same species

Question 14

Define the term inter-species competition

Answer 14

Competition for a resource between two members of the different species

Question 15

If one species is removed from a community it can affect the whole community. State the term that means this.

Answer 15

This is called interdependence

Question 16

Interdependence is a term used to describe the reliance of one species on a different species for resources.

Give 5 resources they may be interdependent for.

Answer 16

1. Food
2. Shelter
3. Pollination
4. Seed dispersal
5. Shelter

Question 17

If one organism in a food web decreased in number what effects may this have on other organisms in the food web

Answer 17

• Numbers of the organism that usually feeds on the decreased organism will decrease (as they have less prey)
• Numbers of organisms that are usually eaten by the decreased organisms will increase (as they have less predators)

Question 18

Give 2 examples of communities that have very stable population sizes

Answer 18

1. Tropical rainforest
2. Ancient oak woodland

Question 19

State the term used to describe a community that remains relatively constant

Answer 19

Stable community

Question 20

Define a stable community

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Define the term adaptation

Answer 21

A feature or characteristic that allows an organism to survive in specific environmental conditions

Question 22

State the 3 categories that can be used to classify adaptations

Answer 22

1. Structural adaptations
2. Behavioural adaptations
3. Functional adaptations

Question 23

Define the term structural adaptation

Answer 23

A feature of an organisms body such as shape or colour that makes it suited to survive in its environment

Question 24

State and explain 3 examples of structural adaptations in animals

Answer 24

Arctic fox has white fur to camouflage it against the snow - to reduce been seen by predators

Whales have thick layers of fat (blubber) under their skin – to retain heat

Camels – have large fat stores in their hump – to fat can be metabolised to release water when water is scarce

Question 25

State and explain 2 examples of structural adaptations in plants

Answer 25

Marram grass rolls its leaves – to reduce the surface area to volume ratio and prevent water loss

Cacti have wide-spreading, shallow roots – to capture any small amount of rainfall that occurs

Question 26

Define the term behavioural adaptation

Answer 26

When an organism of changes its behaviour to suit give it an advantage in surviving in the environment

Question 27

State and explain 2 examples of behavioural adaptations in animals

Answer 27

Swallows migrate to countries with warmer climates to over-winter and avoid the cold conditions

Hedehogs hibernate over winter – to avoid the cold climates and periods where food becomes more scarce

Question 28

Define the term functional adaptation

Answer 28

• An feature inside the cells and tissues of an organism that is related to a specific process
• This feature usually increases the efficiency of the organisms metabolism or its ability to reproduce

Question 29

State and explain 2 examples of functional adaptations in animals

Answer 29

Desert rat conserves water by producing very little sweat and only producing small volumes of concentrated urine

Brown bears lower their metabolic rate when they hibernate –to reduce the energy they need and ensure fat reserves last longer during hibernation

Question 30

Define the term extremophile

Answer 30

Organisms that live in environments that are very extreme, such as at high temperature, pressure, or salt concentration

Question 31

Give an example of an extremophile

Answer 31

Bacteria living in deep sea vents

Question 32

Give two examples of habitats that only extremophiles can live in

Answer 32

• Hot volcanic vents (high temperatures)
• Very salty lakes (high salt concentration)
• Deep sea vents (high pressure)