Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biology AS Unit 2 - Organisms And Biodiversity > Topic 5 - Adaptations Of Organisms > Flashcards

Topic 5 - Adaptations Of Organisms Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is a habitat

A

A place where organisms live

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a biotic environment

A

The other living organisms in an environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is an abiotic environment

A

The physical and chemical factors of an environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does an ecological niche describe

A

What an organism feeds on
What feeds on an organism
What the organism has to compete with
It’s temperature, water and other requirements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a behavioural adaptation

A

An aspect of the behaviour of an organism that helps it survive and reproduce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Give an example of a behavioural adaptation

A

Attracting a mate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a physiological/ biochemical adaptation

A

One in which there is appropriate functioning of the organism or its cellular processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Give an example of a physiological/ biochemical adaptation

A

The ability to respire anaerobically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a morphological/ anatomical adaptation

A

Refers to any structure that enhances the survival of an organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Give an example of a morphological/ anatomical adaptation

A

The spines on a cactus to prevent grazing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Give a behavioural adaptation of a xerophyte

A

Some xerophytes close their stomata when little water is available and some only open their stomata at night, when transpiration all loss is reduced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Give a physiological adaptation of a xerophyte

A

Some xerophytes possess cells that store water when it is readily available - the plants have succulent leaves and/ or stems - for use in times of shortage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Give an example of a morphological/ anatomical adaptation of a xerophyte

A

Sunken stomata that trap a layer of moist air next to the stomata
Reducing the water potential gradient for water vapour to diffuse into the atmosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Give examples of some Climatic factors

A 
Temperature range
Availability of water 
Light intensity 
Light quality 
Day length
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the main source of heat for ecosystems

A

The sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happens at low temperatures in cells

A

Ice crystals may form

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What happens at high temperatures in cells

A

Enzymes are denatured

18
Q

Why is fluctuation in environmental temperatures more extreme in terrestrial habitats than aquatic habitats

A

The high heat capacity of water effectively buffers the temperature changes in aquatic habitats

19
Q

What is the a availability of water the main factor is determining

A

The distribution of terrestrial organisms

20
Q

Give an example of fishes that have adaptations to live in saltwater, fresh water, and both

A

Saltwater - mackerel
Fresh water - perch
Both - salmon

21
Q

How are some leaves adapted to living in low light intensities

A

They are adapted to grow on the woodland floor before the leaf canopy develops above

22
Q

What are something that would effect the light intensity at lower parts of the ocean

A

Organic matter

23
Q

How are marine algae adapted to living at low light qualities

A

They possess additional red pigments specifically to absorb at the blue end of the spectrum

24
Q

How does Day length affect plant growth

A

The longer the day length, the more time a plant has for photosynthesis

25
Q

What are some Edaphic factors

A

pH values
Availability of nutrients
Water content
Aeration of soils

26
Q

Why do some species dominate in certain areas of land

A

Other species have not adapted properly to live there

27
Q

Why do heathers dominate on Upland Moors

A

They have an ability to withstand very low pH values in the soil

28
Q

What are Macronutrients

A

A wide variety of ions required for plants

29
Q

Give some examples of Macronutrients

A 
Nitrate for Amino acids
Phosphate for nucleotide synthesis 
Calcium for the middle lamella
Sulfate for the synthesis of some amino acids
Iron for the production of chlorophyll
30
Q

What does plant distribution depend on

A

The nutrient balance of a particular soil

31
Q

Give examples of how water content is dependant on the soil type

A

Clay soils tend to hold a lot of water
Sandy soils are freely draining and hold little
Waterlogged soil creates anaerobic conditions

32
Q

Give 2 plants that can tolerate waterlogged conditions

A

Rushes and Sedges

33
Q

How do plants adapt to survive waterlogged soils

A

They have air spaces within their root tissues that allow some diffusion or oxygen from the aerial parts to help supply the roots

34
Q

How is aeration of soils an edaphic factor

A

The space between soil particles is filled with air, from which the roots obtain their respiratory oxygen by diffusion

35
Q

What are some Biotic factors

A

Competitors
Predators
Accumulation of waste

36
Q

Why is Competitors a Biotic factor

A

Organisms compete with one another when they share a common resource and that resource is in limited supply

37
Q

What is Interspecific competition

A

When organisms have to compete with their own species

38
Q

What is intraspecific competition

A

When organisms have to compete with not only their own species, but with others

39
Q

What is the competitive exclusion principle

A

Where two species occupy the same ecological niche, the interspecific competition leads to the local extinction of one or the other

40
Q

What is the Predator - Prey rule

A

When prey numbers are low, predator number decline; and when predator numbers become high, the prey numbers drop

41
Q

Why is accumulation of waste a biotic factor

A

The growth of microorganisms is frequently self-limiting because the accumulation of waste products can be toxic

42
Q

Give an example of accumulation of waste being a biotic factor

A

In anaerobic conditions yeast populations produce ethanol

Biology AS Unit 2 - Organisms And Biodiversity (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions