Topic 5 - Adaptations Of Organisms Flashcards
What is a habitat
A place where organisms live
What is a biotic environment
The other living organisms in an environment
What is an abiotic environment
The physical and chemical factors of an environment
What does an ecological niche describe
What an organism feeds on
What feeds on an organism
What the organism has to compete with
It’s temperature, water and other requirements
What is a behavioural adaptation
An aspect of the behaviour of an organism that helps it survive and reproduce
Give an example of a behavioural adaptation
Attracting a mate
What is a physiological/ biochemical adaptation
One in which there is appropriate functioning of the organism or its cellular processes
Give an example of a physiological/ biochemical adaptation
The ability to respire anaerobically
What is a morphological/ anatomical adaptation
Refers to any structure that enhances the survival of an organism
Give an example of a morphological/ anatomical adaptation
The spines on a cactus to prevent grazing
Give a behavioural adaptation of a xerophyte
Some xerophytes close their stomata when little water is available and some only open their stomata at night, when transpiration all loss is reduced
Give a physiological adaptation of a xerophyte
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
Give an example of a morphological/ anatomical adaptation of a xerophyte
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
Give examples of some Climatic factors
Temperature range Availability of water Light intensity Light quality Day length
What is the main source of heat for ecosystems
The sun
What happens at low temperatures in cells
Ice crystals may form
What happens at high temperatures in cells
Enzymes are denatured
Why is fluctuation in environmental temperatures more extreme in terrestrial habitats than aquatic habitats
The high heat capacity of water effectively buffers the temperature changes in aquatic habitats
What is the a availability of water the main factor is determining
The distribution of terrestrial organisms
Give an example of fishes that have adaptations to live in saltwater, fresh water, and both
Saltwater - mackerel
Fresh water - perch
Both - salmon
How are some leaves adapted to living in low light intensities
They are adapted to grow on the woodland floor before the leaf canopy develops above
What are something that would effect the light intensity at lower parts of the ocean
Organic matter
How are marine algae adapted to living at low light qualities
They possess additional red pigments specifically to absorb at the blue end of the spectrum
How does Day length affect plant growth
The longer the day length, the more time a plant has for photosynthesis
