Sub 5: Predator and Grazing

Question 1

what is an abiotic factor?

Answer 1

physical conditions and non-living resources that characterise the particular habitat of an organism

Question 2

give examples of abiotic factors

Answer 2

temperature
soil pH
light intensity
availability of water and nutrients

Question 3

what is a biotic factor?

Answer 3

living factors, other organisms, in an individual’s environment with which it interacts

Question 4

give examples of biotic factors

Answer 4

competition
predation
food source
pathogens causing disease

Question 5

give examples of density independent factors

Answer 5

forrest fire, natural disaster, extreme temperature and rainfall

Question 6

what is interspecific competition?

Answer 6

occurs between individuals of different species

Question 7

what is intraspecific competition?

Answer 7

occurs between individuals of the same species

Question 8

why is infraspecific competition more intense?

Answer 8

members of the same species have the same requirement for resources

Question 9

what is predation?

Answer 9

involves an individual that eats all or part of a prey organism

Question 10

what type of interaction is predation?

Answer 10

positive/negative as the predator gains energy whilst the prey gets injured or dies

Question 11

what is meant by biological control?

Answer 11

introducing a predator species to reduce but not eliminate the prey (pest) species

Question 12

how do predator play a role in maintaing biodiversity?

Answer 12

they regulate the number of dominant prey species thus allowing weaker competitors to remain in the ecosystem