7.1 adaptations, interdependence and competition

Created by

Martha Nutt

Cards (52)

define habitat
the place where an organism lives
define population
a group of organisms of the same species living in a habitat
define community
group of interdependent living organisms in an ecosystem
define ecosystem
the community of organisms interacting with the non-living and living factors of their environment
define interdependence
the network of relationships between different organisms within a community
what is a stable community?
an ecosystem in balance with all the species living there, without human interference
define biotic factors
caused by living organisms
define abiotic factors
non-living factors
name 4 biotic factors
food availability
pathogens and disease
predators
interspecific competition
name 7 abiotic factors
temperature
soil pH
soil minerals
light intensity
availability of water, oxygen and co2
how does soil pH affect plants?
affects the rate of decay and controls the release of mineral ions back into the soil
how to measure oxygen levels
oxygen probe
how to meaasure temperature
thermometer
how to measure rainfall
rain gauge
what are the 3 abiotic factors used to measure environmental change?
rainfall
temperature
oxygen levels
define competition
an interaction between organisms or species in which both require a resource that is in limited supply
what do animals compete for?
food
territory
mates
what do plants compete for?
light
water
space
minerals from soil
pollinators
examples of how plants disperse their seeds
wind
exploding
attach to animal fur
poo (eaten by birds)
what are the adaptations of a dandelion?
seeds dispersed in wind
deep roots
flat leaves (avoid grazing)
light, fluffy seeds
tastes bitter (to deter herbivores)
how can plants over come the problem of growing in the shade of another plant?
grow tall
big leaves
grow early in the year
why do plants disperse their seeds?
to spread out the offspring, to avoid competition of resources with the parent
define predator
animals that kill and eat other organisms
define prey
the animals that are eaten by predators
how is the prey-predator relationship interdependent?
the prey is the food for the predator and the success of the predator affects the success of the prey.
define extremophile
an organism that can survive and reproduce in extreme conditions
define adaptation
a feature that helps a living organism become more suited to its environment and therefore increases chance of survival
how are animals teeth adapted to their food source?
herbivores - teeth for grinding up plant cells
carnivores - teeth adapted for tearing flesh or crushing bones
what do microorganisms need to survive?
need proteins, carbohydrates and lipids
define camouflage
a structural adaptation that helps to stop predators from being seen when they're approaching prey, and for prey helps to stop predators from seeing them
why are animals from cold environments large in size?
the smaller the surface area to volume ratio, the easier it is to reduce the transfer of energy to the environment, and thus minimise cooling
adaptation of walrus?
large size limits heat loss
adaptation of polar bear?
thick, waterproof fur to limit heat loss
adaptation of desert fox?
large ears to maximise heat loss
adaptation of elephant?
wrinkled skin to maximise heat loss
define interspecific competition
competition between different species
what are the 3 limiting factors for photosynthesis?
availability of co2, temperature, and light intensity
what are the 2 minerals needed by soil?
nitrate ions and magnesium ions
how does more nitrate ions affect plants as an abiotic factor?
if more nitrate ions - increased plant growth as can make more amino acids for proteins
how does more magnesium ions affect plants as an abiotic factor?
if more magnesium ions - increased plant growth as more chlorophyll for photosynthesis