Topic Ten - Adaptations and Diversity

Question 1

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 1

Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes (alleles) within a species or population.

Question 2

How is genetic diversity related to biodiversity?

Answer 2

Genetic diversity is one component of biodiversity, specifically focusing on the variation in genes within a species.

Question 3

What are the three levels of biodiversity?

Answer 3

The three levels of biodiversity are genetic diversity (variation in genes), species diversity (variety of organisms in a habitat), and ecosystem diversity (variety of physical environments).

Question 4

How is genetic diversity created?

Answer 4

Genetic diversity is created when mutations occur in the DNA during meiosis, resulting in changes in the genetic code.

Question 5

What is a point mutation, and how does it contribute to genetic diversity?

Answer 5

A point mutation is a type of mutation that involves the substitution, deletion, or addition of a nucleotide in the DNA sequence. It contributes to genetic diversity by introducing changes in individual genes.

Question 6

What are the three types of point mutations, and how do they differ?

Answer 6

The three types of point mutations are silent (no change in amino acid), missense (change in one amino acid), and nonsense (prematurely stop protein synthesis). They differ in their effects on the resulting protein.

Question 7

What is a block mutation, and how does it affect genetic diversity?

Answer 7

A block mutation involves changes in segments of a chromosome, such as large deletions or insertions. It can significantly impact genetic diversity by altering multiple genes or gene interactions.

Question 8

Why is genetic diversity important for species survival following environmental change?

Answer 8

Genetic diversity increases the chances that some individuals in a population will possess alleles that are well-suited to new environmental conditions, ensuring the survival of the species.

Question 9

How does genetic diversity increase the number of individuals that can survive and reproduce?

Answer 9

Genetic diversity provides a wider range of genetic traits within a population, allowing more individuals to have advantageous traits that increase their likelihood of survival and reproduction.

Question 10

In what ways does genetic diversity contribute to biodiversity in ecosystems?

Answer 10

Genetic diversity within species is a fundamental component of overall biodiversity within ecosystems, as it allows for a broader range of interactions and adaptations among species.

Question 11

: How does genetic diversity enable natural selection?

Answer 11

Genetic diversity provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon. Best-adapted alleles are selected for in changing environments, leading to evolutionary changes and the persistence of advantageous traits.

Question 12

What are adaptations in biology?

Answer 12

Adaptations are structural, physiological, or behavioral features that enhance the survival of an organism in specific environmental conditions. These features are innate and are part of an organism’s genetic makeup.

Question 13

What is the tolerance range of an organism in its habitat?

Answer 13

The tolerance range of an organism is the extent of variation in an environmental factor (abiotic) within which a particular species can survive. It includes an optimum range where the species thrives and the extremes, which represent the tolerance limits. These limits define the upper and lower bounds of environmental conditions where the species can survive and are often referred to as the zone of physiological stress.

Question 14

Define a limiting factor in the context of environmental conditions.

Answer 14

A limiting factor is an environmental condition that restricts the species that can survive in a given habitat. It is the factor that imposes the greatest challenge to an organism’s survival within its tolerance range.

Question 15

What are some key environmental challenges faced by animals in arid climates?

Answer 15

Arid climate animals face challenges such as excessive water loss (dehydration) and overheating (hyperthermia) due to the harsh environmental conditions.

Question 16

Give examples of physiological adaptations in arid climate animals.

Answer 16

Physiological adaptations in arid climate animals may include the ability to reabsorb water from feces and having a low resting metabolic rate to conserve energy.

Question 17

What are some behavioral adaptations exhibited by animals in arid climates?

Answer 17

Behavioral adaptations in arid climate animals can include being nocturnal to avoid extreme daytime heat, creating burrows for shelter, and employing zigzag movements to conserve energy and avoid predators.

Question 18

Mention some structural adaptations seen in arid climate animals.

Answer 18

Structural adaptations may involve having large ears to dissipate heat, possessing a white fur or coat for reflectivity, and having dark-colored legs to absorb less heat.

Question 19

Provide examples of arid climate animals that have unique survival strategies.

Answer 19

Examples of arid climate animals include the tarrkawarra (spinifex hopping mouse) which survives without drinking water, trilling frogs that go into dormancy during dry periods, banded stilts that migrate to find favorable conditions, and animals that reproduce strategically to ensure survival in challenging environments.

Question 20

How does the tarrkawarra (spinifex hopping mouse) survive without drinking water?

Answer 20

The tarrkawarra survives without drinking water by reabsorbing water from its feces and having a low resting metabolic rate to minimize water loss.

Question 21

Describe the adaptation of trilling frogs during dry periods.

Answer 21

Trilling frogs burrow deeply into the soft mud at the bottom of waterholes, seal the chamber with a mucous secretion, and enter dormancy, which is an inactive state requiring minimal energy expenditure. They come out of dormancy when soil moisture rises, allowing them to feed and breed.

Question 22

How do banded stilts adapt to changing environmental conditions?

Answer 22

Banded stilts adapt by migrating from affected areas to places with more favorable conditions. They primarily feed on brine shrimps and fly to another salt lake once the one they are in dries up. They often travel during the cooler periods of the day to avoid extreme heat.

Question 23

What are some adaptations of arid climate plants for maximizing water uptake?

Answer 23

Arid climate plants often have long, unbranched root systems or shallow horizontal root systems, which act as water tappers, maximizing their ability to absorb water.

Question 24

How do arid climate plants minimize water loss?

Answer 24

Arid climate plants regulate transpiration to minimize water loss. They have adaptations like reduced leaf surface area or thick cuticles to achieve this.

Question 25

What is a key adaptation of arid climate plants in terms of reproduction?

Answer 25

Arid climate plants often produce drought-resistant seeds that do not germinate in dry conditions, ensuring the survival of their species.

Question 26

What are some physiological adaptations of cold climate animals to prevent freezing?

Answer 26

Cold climate animals may produce antifreeze substances that lower the freezing point of body fluids, preventing ice formation.

Question 27

Name some behavioral adaptations of cold climate animals.

Answer 27

Cold climate animals employ behavioral adaptations such as burrowing, hibernation, and huddling to conserve heat and survive harsh conditions.

Question 28

What are some structural adaptations of cold climate animals?

Answer 28

Cold climate animals may have thick fur and fat layers to provide insulation and retain body heat in freezing temperatures.

Question 29

How do cold climate plants adapt to withstand cold conditions without producing antifreeze substances?

Answer 29

Cold climate plants gradually become resistant to the cold due to the movement of water and ions within their cells.

Question 30

What is the primary mechanism by which cold climate plants resist freezing?

Answer 30

Cold climate plants often rely on a process called cold acclimation, where they adjust their cellular processes to resist freezing temperatures.

Question 31

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 31

An ecosystem is a system of organisms that interact with each other and their environment. It includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

Question 32

What are the components of an ecosystem?

Answer 32

Ecosystems are made up of communities, which consist of:
Producers (autotrophs)
Consumers (heterotrophs)
Decomposers

Question 33

Describe the role of producers in an ecosystem.

Answer 33

Producers are photosynthetic or chemosynthetic organisms that capture energy from sunlight or chemical reactions and convert it into chemical energy. They provide energy for the entire ecosystem and support all community members.

Question 34

What are the main types of consumers in ecosystems?

Answer 34

Consumers can be categorized into:
Herbivores (plant-eaters)
Carnivores (animal-eaters)
Omnivores (eat both plants and animals)
Detritivores (eat decomposing organic matter)

Question 35

How do decomposers contribute to ecosystems?

Answer 35

Decomposers obtain energy from dead organic matter by breaking it down into simple inorganic forms or mineral nutrients. They play a crucial role in recycling nutrients, which are then taken up by producers.

Question 36

What is a keystone species in an ecosystem?

Answer 36

A keystone species is a species whose presence is essential for the maintenance and stability of an ecosystem. Their loss can lead to significant changes compared to the potential impact of other species’ loss.

Question 37

Provide examples of keystone species and their roles.

Answer 37

Examples of keystone species include:
Elephants in African grasslands: They eat shrubs, preventing them from growing into trees.
Starfish in marine ecosystems: They are the sole predators of mussels.
Cassowaries in Australian rainforests: They eat fruits that are indigestible to other herbivores.

Question 38

What is intraspecific competition, and how does it differ from interspecific competition?

Answer 38

Intraspecific competition is competition between members of the same species, while interspecific competition involves competition between members of different species within the same population.

Question 39

Explain the concept of predator-prey relationships.

Answer 39

In predator-prey relationships, one species (the predator) hunts and consumes another species (the prey) for its survival.

Question 40

What are herbivore-plant relationships, and why are they important in ecosystems?

Answer 40

Herbivore-plant relationships involve herbivores obtaining nutrients by consuming plants. They are essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow in ecosystems.

Question 41

What is symbiosis, and how does it benefit at least one organism involved?

Answer 41

Symbiosis is a type of interaction between two different species, where at least one organism benefits from the relationship.

Question 42

Describe mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism in symbiotic relationships.

Answer 42

Mutualism: Both organisms benefit.
Commensalism: One organism benefits, while the other is unharmed.
Parasitism: One organism (parasite) benefits, while the other (host) is harmed.

Question 43

What are exoparasites and endoparasites in animals?

Answer 43

Exoparasites live on the host’s external surface, while endoparasites live inside the host’s body.

Question 44

Explain the difference between hemiparasitism and holoparasitism in plant parasites.

Answer 44

Hemiparasitism: The plant parasite obtains some nutrients and water from the host plant but also makes some of its own food.
Holoparasitism: The plant parasite depends entirely on the host plant for nutrients and water.

Question 45

What is amensalism, and how does it affect different species?

Answer 45

Amensalism is a relationship between different species in which one organism is inhibited or destroyed, while the other gains no specific benefit and remains unaffected.

Question 46

Describe the two main types of population distribution in ecosystems.

Answer 46

Uniform distribution: There is a high level of intraspecific competition, and individuals may release chemicals or defend territories.
Random distribution: Environmental conditions within the area are consistent, and the presence of one member has no effect on other populations.

Question 47

What are the factors contributing to clumped distribution in plant populations?

Answer 47

Clumped distribution in plants is often due to the fact that only some areas are suitable for germination and the survival of plant species. Additionally, many plant populations reproduce asexually, leading to clusters of genetically identical individuals.

Question 48

How do animals exhibit clumped distribution and why?

Answer 48

Animals exhibit clumped distribution by aggregating in more favorable parts of their habitat. This behavior, such as forming herds or schools, helps reduce predation risk and ensures access to essential resources.

Question 49

What are the primary ecological events that can affect population size?

Answer 49

Primary ecological events include births, deaths, immigration, and emigration. Only open populations experience migration, which can lead to changes in population size.

Question 50

Explain the difference between density-independent and density-dependent factors affecting population size.

Answer 50

Density-independent factors impact population members regardless of population size, while density-dependent factors only affect members when the population size reaches a certain threshold. Examples of density-independent factors include natural disasters, while competition for resources is a density-dependent factor.

Question 51

Describe the J-curve model of population growth. What does it represent?

Answer 51

The J-curve represents exponential population growth, where a population increases rapidly with each generation. It assumes ideal conditions with no resource limitations or constraints on reproduction.

Question 52

What does the S-curve model of population growth represent?

Answer 52

The S-curve represents density-dependent growth, where a population grows more slowly and levels off as it approaches the carrying capacity (K) of its environment. This growth is limited by resource availability and other factors.

Question 53

What is the intrinsic growth rate, and how does it relate to r-selected and K-selected populations?

Answer 53

The intrinsic growth rate (r) is the rate at which a population would grow under ideal conditions with unlimited resources. r-selected populations have a high r value, reproducing quickly with many offspring. In contrast, K-selected populations have a lower r value, reproducing more slowly with fewer offspring but investing more in their quality.

Question 54

How long have Aboriginal peoples lived in Australia, and how many groups exist?

Answer 54

Aboriginal peoples have lived in Australia for over 60,000 years, and there are over 500 distinct groups with diverse cultures and identities.

Question 55

What is the difference between the land-based culture of Aboriginal Australians and the sea-based culture of Torres Strait Islanders?

Answer 55

Aboriginal Australians have a land-based culture, deeply connected to the land they were born on, while Torres Strait Islanders have a sea-based culture, rooted in the islands and the surrounding waters.

Question 56

How do Aboriginal peoples determine the number of seasons in their land, and why is it important?

Answer 56

The number of seasons is determined based on stars, plant and animal life cycles, and changing weather conditions. It’s essential for effective land management and resource utilization.

Question 57

What is cool burning, and why is it important for land management?

Answer 57

Cool burning is a land management practice performed early in the dry season. It reduces the fuel load, stimulates new plant growth, and releases less carbon dioxide compared to hot burning. This practice helps prevent destructive wildfires and promotes ecosystem health.

Question 58

What does “Country” mean for Aboriginal Australian peoples?

Answer 58

“Country” refers to the land where Aboriginal Australians were born and encompasses all living things, seasons, stories, and creation spirits. It reflects their deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land.

Question 59

How do Indigenous peoples observe interactions between species to contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity?

Answer 59

Indigenous peoples observe interactions between species in the natural world to gain insights into the balance within ecosystems. This understanding guides their practices in maintaining biodiversity.