Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

BIOLOGY GCSE > ECOLOGY > Flashcards

ECOLOGY Flashcards

1
Q

what is an ecosystem

A

an ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms with the non living elements of their environments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is the source of energy in an ecosystem

A

the sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is recycled through an ecosystem

A

carbon, nitrogen and water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

give an example of a resource for which animals compete for in a community

A

food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is interdependence

A

if one species is removed from a community it can affect the whole community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is a stable community

A

a stable community is one in whuch all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

examples of stable communities

A

tropical rainforests
mature oak woodlands
mature coral reefs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

abiotic factors that affect communities of organisms

A

light intensity
temperature
wind intensity and direction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

biotic factors that affect communities of organisms

A

availability of food
new predators arriving
new competitors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what can quantitative data be used to describe

A

how physical factors might be affecting where organisms live in an environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

how can quantitative data be obtained

A

by random quantitative sampling using a quadrat or sampling along a transect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is quadrat

A

a square frame that may also be divided into a grid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is a transect

A

a line drawn between two points to make ecological measurements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what do animals compete for

A

food
mates
territories

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what do predators compete with eachother for

A

they compete withother for prey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

why do animals need a territory

A

so that they can find enough food and water, they also need space or shelter to protect their young ones

17
Q

some caterpillars are not poisonous but predators avoid them why

A

the predator is put off by the warning colour of the caterpillar which may be the same colour as the poisonous one

18
Q

what do plants compete for

A

light
space
water and mineral ions

19
Q

what adaptations do plants have that make them good competitors

A

plants that grow deep roots can reach underground water better than those shallow roots

20
Q

why do plants try to spread their seeds as far as possible

A

to reduce competition for light, water, mineral ions and space

21
Q

what is an adaptation

A

a feature that allows an organism to live in its normal environment

22
Q

what are extremophiles

A

are organisms that live in extreme environmental conditions such as extremely cold, extremely hot, very slaty or at high pressure

23
Q

how have animals in cold climates adapted

A

have thick fur

have fat
which keeps them warm

24
Q

how have animals adapted in hot climates

A

they are adapted to conserve water and to stop them getting to hot

25
Q

how do bigger animals conserve more energy

A

they have a low surface area to volume ratio, but it is difficult for them to cool down

26
Q

what do plants need to survive

A

light
water
space
mineral ions

27
Q

how can water be conserved in a plant

A

if they have very small or waxy leaves

28
Q

how do plants lose water

A

they lose water as water vapour through their stomata

29
Q

how have plants been adapted so that animals do not come near

A

thorns
poisonous chemicals
warning colours

30
Q

what is a community

A

is made up of the populations of different species of animals and plants that are all interdependent

31
Q

why are there few animals living in cold areas like the artic

A

very few plants grow there and plants that do are very small

they produce little food for herbivores so there are few carnivores

32
Q

describe and explain the effects of predators to a new community

A

new predators eat prey so there will be less food for other carninvores
the number of prey will therefore go down and the number of predators will also go down
this could increase the plant populations as there would be fewer herbivores to eat them

33
Q

plant adaptations

A

waxy cuticles
stomata on the undersides of leaves
the ability to wilt to reduce the surface area exposed
small spine like leaves

34
Q

what is a biotic factor

A

living factors

35
Q

what is an abiotic factor

A

a non living factor

36
Q

what are structural adaptations

A

features of an organisms body structure

37
Q

what are behavioural adaptations

A

migration to warmer or climates

38
Q

what are functional adaptations

A

producing little sweat to conserve water

hibernation to conserve energy

BIOLOGY GCSE (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions