KA2- Distribution Of Organisms

Question 1

Abiotic factors

Answer 1

Non living, physical factors that affect where living things are found

Question 2

Temperature

Answer 2

Increasing temperature reduces oxygen concentration of water

Question 3

Tool to measure temperature

Answer 3

Thermometer

Question 4

Sources of error when using thermometer

Answer 4

Placing in direct sunlight
Holding in hand
Not repeating

Question 5

To minimise error when using thermometer

Answer 5

Don’t leave in direct sunlight
Don’t hold bulb until temperature settled

Question 6

To improve reliability when using thermometer

Answer 6

Take samples

Question 7

Yyyyyyy

Answer 7

Ehhhhhh

Question 8

Tool to measure pH (how)

Answer 8

pH meter
Push probe into soil and read meter

Question 9

Source of error when using pH meter

Answer 9

Not cleaned between readings

Question 10

To minimise error when using using pH meter

Answer 10

Repeat and take multiple readings
Wipe probe between readings

Question 11

To improve reliability when measuring pH

Answer 11

Take samples

Question 12

Quadrats

Answer 12

For sampling organisms
Estimate number or abundance of plants or animals that don’t move

Question 13

Sources of error when using quadrats

Answer 13

Some samples may be partly in and out of quadrat

Question 14

To minimisie error when using quadrats

Answer 14

Place quadrat randomly
Consistent rules to decide if plants or animals are in or out of quadrat

Question 15

To improve reliability when using quadrats

Answer 15

Look at results of many quadrats

Question 16

Pitfall traps

Answer 16

Dig a hole, leave a plastic cup in the hole and cover it with leaves

Question 17

Sources of error when using pitfall traps

Answer 17

Birds can eat animals
Animals can fly out
Animals can eat eachother

Question 18

To minimise error when using pitfall traps

Answer 18

Place cover on trap
Check trap regularly

Question 19

Transect lines

Answer 19

Rope/ string (etc) across habitat or part of a habitat
Show effect of changing conditions on types of organisms present

Question 20

To asses water quality of rivers, streams etc

Answer 20

Fresh water invertebrates

Question 21

Lichens

Answer 21

Simple plants that grow on the bark of trees that show the level of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide oresent

Question 22

Sulphur oxide

Answer 22

Produced by burning fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil)
Less in the air means more (healthy) species of lichens

Question 23

Indicator species

Answer 23

The presence or absence of some specific species tells us the level of pollution and level of oxygen because different organisms tolerate different oxygen: pollution levels
Level of pollution increases as oxygen level decreases
Low pollution—>High pollution
Stonefly/mayfly, freshwater shrimp, water louse, blood mouse, rat tailed maggot