Topic 7: Ecology Flashcards
Population
All the organisms of one species living in a habitat
Community
The populations of different species living in a habitat
Ecosystem
The interaction of a community of living organisms with the biotic and abiotic factors of their environment
Stable communities
Where all the predators and prey, and the environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes are relatively constant
Interdependence
Where, in a community, each species depends on the other species for food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersal
Abiotic factors (7)
Moisture level Light intensity Temperature Carbon dioxide level Wind intensity Oxygen level Soil pH
Biotic factors (4)
New predators
Competition
New pathogens
Food availability
Structural adaptations
Features of an organism’s body structure | that allow them to live in different environmental conditions
Behavioural adaptations
Ways an organism behaves | that allow them to live in different environmental conditions
Functional adaptations
Internal conditions in an organism in relation to reproduction and metabolism | that allow them to live in different environmental conditions
Give examples of structural adaptations (3)
1) Arctic fox = white fur for camouflage to avoid predators and sneak up on prey
2) Whales = thick layer of blubber and low SA/V ratio to help retain heat
3) Camels = thin layer of fat and high SA/V ratio to help lose heat
Give examples of behavioural adaptations (2)
1) Cold blooded animals = bask in the sun in the morning and return to shade when hot
2) Swallows = migration to warmer climates during winter to avoid cold conditions
Give examples of functional adaptations (2)
1) Desert animals = produce very little sweat and concentrated amounts of urine to conserve water
2) Brown bears = lower their metabolism to conserve energy (hibernation) to avoid hunting scarce food in winter
Water Cycle (6)
1) Sun’s energy evaporates water from land, sea and plants
2) Warm water vapour is carried upwards, cools and condenses into clouds
3) Water precipitates from clouds onto land and sea
4) Some water is absorbed by soil into plant roots then eaten by animals and excreted back into the soil and atmosphere
5) Unabsorbed water will runoff into streams and rivers drains back to sea
6) Process repeats
Carbon Cycle
LOOK IN BOOK
1) Carbon dioxide removed by plants during photosynthesis and turned into glucose
2) Carbon dioxide is returned when plants during respiration
3) Plants are eaten by animals and carbon becomes fats and proteins in them
4) Carbon dioxide is returned when animals during respiration
5) Plants and animals are eaten by detritivores and microorganisms feed on their remains
6) Carbon dioxide is returned by detritivores and microorganisms during respiration
7) Carbon dioxide is returned by the decay of remains
8) Carbon dioxide is returned by combustion and the manufacturing of products made of plants and animals
