adaptation

• What is the smallest unit of ecosystem organization?

  Individual organisms
• What defines a population in an ecosystem?

  Total number of organisms of the same species
• What is a community in an ecosystem?

  Group of different species populations
• How is an ecosystem defined?

  Interaction of living organisms with non-living parts
• Why do organisms compete in an ecosystem?

  To survive and reproduce using resources
• What are the two types of competition?

  Interspecific and intraspecific competition
• What do animals compete for?

  Food, mates, and territory
• What do plants compete for?

  Light, space, water, and mineral ions
• What is interdependence in a community?

  Species depend on each other for survival
• What happens if one species is removed from a community?

  It can affect the whole community
• What characterizes a stable community?

  Species and environmental factors are balanced
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living factors in an ecosystem
• How can too much carbon dioxide affect plants?

  It can negatively affect their growth
• What abiotic factors can affect a community?

  Light intensity, moisture, temperature, soil pH
• What are biotic factors?

  Living factors that affect a community
• How can decreased food availability affect a community?

  It can negatively affect populations
• What are adaptations of organisms?

  Features that enable survival in conditions
• How do adaptations provide evolutionary advantages?

  They allow organisms to outcompete others
• What are the adaptations of a polar bear?

  • White fur for camouflage
  • Large feet to distribute weight
  • Small ears to reduce heat loss
  • Thick fur for insulation
• What are the adaptations of a camel?

  • Large feet to distribute weight
  • Hump stores fat for energy
  • Tough mouth for eating cacti
  • Long eyelashes to keep sand out
• What are the adaptations of a cactus?

  • Spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss
  • Long roots to reach underground water
  • Large stem to store water
• What are structural adaptations?

  Physical features that help compete successfully
• What are behavioral adaptations?

  Behaviors that give organisms an advantage
• What are functional adaptations?

  Processes that allow organisms to survive
• What are extremophiles?

  Organisms that live in extreme environments
• Where can extremophiles be found?

  High/low temperatures, extreme pressures
• What are deep sea vents?

  Areas with high pressures and temperatures
• How do bacteria survive in deep sea vents?

  They thrive in high pressure and temperature