T7 adaptations, interdependence and competition

Question 1

state the levels of organisation in an ecosystem

Answer 1

individual, population, community, ecosystem

Question 2

what is an ecosystem

Answer 2

interaction between the living components and non-living components

Question 3

state the factors that plants may compete for

Answer 3

light
space
water
mineral ions from soil

Question 4

factors that animals may compete for

Answer 4

food
mates
territory

Question 5

what is intraspecific competition

Answer 5

competition within a species

Question 6

what is interspecific competition

Answer 6

competition between different species

Question 7

what is interdependence

Answer 7

different species in an ecosystem depend on each other for various resources, if 1 species is removed, the whole community may be affected

Question 8

what is a stable community

Answer 8

community in which all the biotic factors and all abiotic factors are balanced so that population sizes remain relatively constant

Question 9

what are abiotic factors

Answer 9

non-living factors

Question 10

abiotic factors that may affect an ecosystem

Answer 10

light intensity, temperature, moisture, soil pH and mineral content, O2 level, CO2 level, wind intensity and direction

Question 11

why might light intensity affect an ecosystem

Answer 11

different species of plants may have different optimum light intensities for growth

Question 12

why does temperature affect an ecosystem

Answer 12

different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival

Question 13

how does soil pH affect an ecosystem

Answer 13

certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil

soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant

Question 14

how does moisture level affect an ecosystem

Answer 14

many plants can’t survive in waterlogged soil as their roots can’t respire

certain plants are adapted to high moisture levels

Question 15

how does wind intensity affect an ecosystem

Answer 15

plant seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower WI which may also attract animals that depend on the plant to live nearby

Question 16

how does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem

Answer 16

most plants require a high level of soil minerals to grow well

Question 17

example of a type of plants that have adapted to low soil mineral content

Answer 17

carnivorous plants catch insects to compensate for the low level of soil mineral content

Question 18

how does carbon dioxide concentration affect an ecosystem

Answer 18

higher CO2 concentration leads to more plant growth

Question 19

how does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem

Answer 19

aquatic animals cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration

Question 20

state the biotic factors that may affect an ecosystem

Answer 20

food
new predators
new pathogens
competition

Question 21

what are adaptations

Answer 21

features that enable organisms to survive in their living environment

Question 22

organisms living in extreme environments called

Answer 22

extremophiles

Question 23

3 examples of extreme living conditions

Answer 23

high temperature
high pressure
high salt concentration

Question 24

example of where extremophile bacteria can be found

Answer 24

in deep sea vents