B16: Adaptations and interdependence Flashcards
what is a population
total number of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area
what is a community
a community is a group of two or more populations of different species living in a specific geographical area
what is an ecosystem
an ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of their environment
what is competition
competition is a contest between organisms within a community for resources
what is interdependence
when a species in a community depend on others for resources and shelter
what do animals often compete for
food, mates, and territory
what do plants often compete for
light, space, water, and mineral ions
what is an abiotic factor
non-living factor that can affect a community
List the abiotic factors that can affect a community
- 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
what is a biotic factor
living factot that can affect a community
list the biotic factors that can affect a community
- availability of food
- new predators
- new pathogens
- competition between species
what is a stable community
when all species and environmental factors are in balance, so population sizes remain fairly constant
how do adaptations help an organism
they enable the organism to survive in the condition that it lives in
what are the three types of adaptations
structural, behavioural, and functional
what is an extremophile
an organism that lives in a very extreme environment
