Paper 2: Topic 7 Ecology - Adaptations, interdependence & competition Flashcards

1
Q

Define the term ecology

A

The study of living organisms and their habitats

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2
Q

Define the term habitat

A

The place where an organism lives

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3
Q

Define the term population

A

The number of all the individuals of one species living in a defined habitat

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4
Q

Define the term community

A

All the populations of different species living in a defined habitat

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5
Q

Define the term ecosystem

A

An ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment

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6
Q

Define the term abiotic factor

A

A non-living factor within the environment

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7
Q

Define the term biotic factor

A

A living factor within the environment

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8
Q

Give 4 examples of biotic factors

A
  1. Arrival of new predators
  2. Availability of prey
  3. Arrival of new pathogens
  4. Competition with another species

Hint: think “3Ps

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9
Q

Give 7 examples of abiotic factors that affect plants

A
  1. pH of the soil
  2. temperature
  3. Availability of water
  4. Availability of mineral ions
  5. Availability of carbon dioxide
  6. Light intensity and duration
  7. Wind intensity and direction
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10
Q

Give 3 examples of abiotic factors that affect animals

A
  1. Availability of oxygen
  2. Temperature
  3. Availability of nutrients
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11
Q

State 3 resources that plants compete against each for

A
  1. Light
  2. Water
  3. Space
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12
Q

State 4 resources that animals compete against each other for

A
  1. Mate
  2. Territory
  3. Food
  4. Water
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13
Q

Define the term intra-species competition

A

Competition for a resource between two members of the same species

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14
Q

Define the term inter-species competition

A

Competition for a resource between two members of the different species

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15
Q

If one species is removed from a community it can affect the whole community. State the term that means this.

A

This is called interdependence

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16
Q

Interdependence is a term used to describe the reliance of one species on a different species for resources.

Give 5 resources they may be interdependent for.

A
  1. Food
  2. Shelter
  3. Pollination
  4. Seed dispersal
  5. Shelter
17
Q

If one organism in a food web decreased in number what effects may this have on other organisms in the food web

A
  • Numbers of the organism that usually feeds on the decreased organism will decrease (as they have less prey)
  • Numbers of organisms that are usually eaten by the decreased organisms will increase (as they have less predators)
18
Q

Give 2 examples of communities that have very stable population sizes

A
  1. Tropical rainforest
  2. Ancient oak woodland
19
Q

State the term used to describe a community that remains relatively constant

A

Stable community

20
Q

Define a stable community

A

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

21
Q

Define the term adaptation

A

A feature or characteristic that allows an organism to survive in specific environmental conditions

22
Q

State the 3 categories that can be used to classify adaptations

A
  1. Structural adaptations
  2. Behavioural adaptations
  3. Functional adaptations
23
Q

Define the term structural adaptation

A

A feature of an organisms body such as shape or colour that makes it suited to survive in its environment

24
Q

State and explain 3 examples of structural adaptations in animals

A

Arctic fox has white fur to camouflage it against the snow - to reduce been seen by predators

Whales have thick layers of fat (blubber) under their skin – to retain heat

Camels – have large fat stores in their hump – to fat can be metabolised to release water when water is scarce

25
Q

State and explain 2 examples of structural adaptations in plants

A

Marram grass rolls its leaves – to reduce the surface area to volume ratio and prevent water loss

Cacti have wide-spreading, shallow roots – to capture any small amount of rainfall that occurs

26
Q

Define the term behavioural adaptation

A

When an organism of changes its behaviour to suit give it an advantage in surviving in the environment

27
Q

State and explain 2 examples of behavioural adaptations in animals

A

Swallows migrate to countries with warmer climates to over-winter and avoid the cold conditions

Hedehogs hibernate over winter – to avoid the cold climates and periods where food becomes more scarce

28
Q

Define the term functional adaptation

A
  • An feature inside the cells and tissues of an organism that is related to a specific process
  • This feature usually increases the efficiency of the organisms metabolism or its ability to reproduce
29
Q

State and explain 2 examples of functional adaptations in animals

A

Desert rat conserves water by producing very little sweat and only producing small volumes of concentrated urine

Brown bears lower their metabolic rate when they hibernate –to reduce the energy they need and ensure fat reserves last longer during hibernation

30
Q

Define the term extremophile

A

Organisms that live in environments that are very extreme, such as at high temperature, pressure, or salt concentration

31
Q

Give an example of an extremophile

A

Bacteria living in deep sea vents

32
Q

Give two examples of habitats that only extremophiles can live in

A
  • Hot volcanic vents (high temperatures)
  • Very salty lakes (high salt concentration)
  • Deep sea vents (high pressure)