B16 - Adaptations, interdependence and competition

• Ecosystem organisation


  • Individual organisms
  • Population
  • Community
  • Ecosystem
• Population


  the total number of organisms of the same species that lve in one specific geographical area
• Community


  group of two or more populations of different species living in one specific geographical area
• Ecosystem


  the interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of their environment
• Competition


  • Organisms require a supply of resources from their surroundings and from the other living organisms there
  • This creates competition, where organisms compete for resources
• Interspecific competiton


  Different species competing for resources
• Intraspecific competition


  Competition between organisms of the same species
• Things animals compete for


  • food
  • mates
  • territory
• Plants often compete for


  • light
  • spce
  • water and mineral ions from the soil
• Interdependence


  • Many species interact with each other in a community
  • Many depend on each other for things like food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersion
  • If one species is removed, it can affect the whole community
• • A stable community is one where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant
• Abiotic factors


  • Non-living factors in the ecosystem that can affect a community
• Abiotic factors


  • carbon dioxide levels (for plants)
  • light intensity
  • moisture levels
  • oxygen levels (for animals that live in water)
  • soil pH and mineral content
  • temperature
  • wind intensity and direction
• Biotic factors


  • Living factors in the ecosystem thst can affect a community
• Biotic factors


  • decreased availability of food
  • new predators
  • new pathogens
  • competiton beteeen species
• Adaptations


  • Features that organisms have that enable them to survive in the conditions in which they live
  • The adaptations of an organism may allow it to outcompete others and provide it with an evolutionary advantage
• Structural adaptations


  • Physical features that allow an organism to successfully compete
  • e.g:
  • sharp teeth to hunt prey
  • colouring that may provide camouflage to hide from predators or hunt prey
  • a large or small body surface area-to-volume ratio
• Behavioural adaptations


  • The behaviour of an organism that gives it an advantage
  • e.g:
  • making nests
  • courtship dances to attract a mate
  • use of tools
  • working together in packs
• Functional adaptations


  • Adaptations related to processes that allow an organism to survive
  • e.g:
  • photosynthesis in plants
  • production of poisons or venom to deter predators and kill prey
  • changes in reproduction timings
• Adaptations of a polar bear


  • white fur for camouflage when hunting prey
  • feet with large surface area to distribute weight on snow
  • small ears to reduce heat loss
• Adaptations of a camel


  • feet with large surface area to distribute weight on sand
  • hump stores fat to provide energy when food is scarce
  • tough mouth and tongue to allow it to eat cacti
  • long eyelashes to keep sand out of eyes
• Adaptations of cacti


  • spines instead of leaves to reduce surface area and therefore water loss, and to deter predators
  • long roots to reach water underground
  • large, fleshy stem to store water
• Extremophiles


  • organisms which live in extreme environments that most other animals would not survive
  • e.g:
  • very high or low temperatures
  • extreme pressures
  • high salt concentrations
  • highly acidic or alkaline conditions
  • low levels of oxygen or water