Species, niches and adaptations

Question 1

Define species

Answer 1

• a species is a group of organisms with similar morphology, physiology and behaviour, which can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
• ( a species is a classification that is composed of related organisms that share common features and can interbreed with one another)

Question 2

Define morphology and give an example of two species with similar morphologies

Answer 2

• morphology refers to the study of the size, shape and structure of animals and plants etc. (their features)
• horses and donkeys have similar morphologies but they are different species

Question 3

What is the result of a horse and a donkey interbreeding?

Answer 3

• if a horse and a donkey interbreed they create a mule (hybrid offspring which are infertile)
• mules are infertile because they have an odd number of chromosomes, the horse has 64 and the donkey has 62

Question 4

What is the difference between morphology and anatomical?

Answer 4

• morphology is more generalised and broader whilst anatomical is more specific

Question 5

What is physiology?

Answer 5

• physiology is the study of how living organisms function

Question 6

What does viable refer to?

Answer 6

• refers to a life form, such as a cell, that is alive or capable of sustaining life

Question 7

What does hybrid (offspring) refer to?

Answer 7

• hybrid are offspring of parents that are of two different species, genera or (rarely) families
• all hybrid animals are infertile because they do not have the viable sex cells

Question 8

What does niche refer to?

Answer 8

• niche refers to the role that a species plays within its habitat including:
• the biotic interactions (the organism it feeds on and the organisms that feed on it)
• the abiotic reactions (how much oxygen and co2 the species exchange with the atmosphere)

Question 9

Define habitat

Answer 9

the place where a species lives within an ecosystem is its habitat

Question 10

What are anatomical adaptations?

Answer 10

anatomical adaptations are structural features that increase an organisms chances of survival

Question 11

What are behavioural adaptations?

Answer 11

behavioural adaptations are any actions by organisms that help them to survive or reproduce

Question 12

What are physiological adaptations?

Answer 12

physiological adaptations are features of the internal workings of organisms that help them to survive or reproduce
(e.g. fight or flight)

Question 13

What is the difference between physiological and behavioural adaptations?

Answer 13

• physiological adaptations are the physical characteristics or body processes of an organism that help it to survive and reproduce
• behavioural adaptations are the responses of on organism to environmental stimuli that help it to survive and reproduce

Question 14

What does endemism refer to?

Answer 14

• endemism refers to the fact that certain species only occur in one particular area of the world
• species that are only found in one area are said to be endemic to that region and do not naturally occur anywhere else

Question 15

What are endemic species at risk to?

Answer 15

• endemic species are particularly at risk of extinction due to their limited range

Question 16

In recent times, what has threatened many species with extinction?

Answer 16

• in recent times human activities have threatened many species with extinction
• the human population has grown exponentially

Question 17

What are some of the reasons for the exponential growth of the human population?

Answer 17

• reasons for growth:
• improved technology leading to an abundance of food = increase birth rate
• improved medicine, hygiene and health care = decreased death rate