A2 Biology Unit 4 Model Answers Flashcards
(99 cards)
Effect of low temperature
enzymes work slowly due to having less kinetic energy therefore less movement and less successful collisions between active site and substrate leading to decreased formation of ES complexes
Effect of high temperature
enzymes are denatured - hydrogen bonds break, tertiary structure unfolds, active site changes shape and less ES complexes form.
Effects of increased light in an ecosystem
rate of photosynthesis increases as light intensity increases; plants grow faster and produce more spores/seeds; animal population that feeds on producers can grow larger.
Effects of pH
enzymes working in extremes of pH above and below the optimum can denature and tertiary structure unfolds leading to less ES complexes forming.
Effects of humidity
affects transpiration rate in plants and rate of evaporation in animals.
Why is it important that samples are collected at random? (1)
To avoid bias
Random sampling
Produce a grid and select co-ordinates using a random number generator.
Place a quadrat at the intersection of each pair of co-ordinates and record the species within it.
Record a mean and the scale up to the entire area.
How do you decide the number of quadrats to use in order to collect representative data? (4)
- large number of quadrats so results are more reliable (with repeats)
- enough to be able to carry out a statistical test (e.g. SR requires minimum of 7 pairs)
- not too many for the available time
- calculate a running mean which changes little when there are enough quadrats
What are the advantages of collecting plant data as percentage cover? (2)
Can be collected rapidly (1); no need to define individual plants (1)
What are the limitations of collecting plant data as percentage cover?
There may be “overhang” where the leaves of larger plants are outside of the quadrat area
Smaller plants may be difficult to count where overshadowed by larger plants.
Mark-release-recapture estimate of population size
• Capture large sample of organisms
• Mark with non toxic paint/ not too obvious to predators/won’t wash off
• Count and release
• Allow time to disperse throughout population (eg a week)
• Recapture large sample
• Count total and how many are marked
Population equation
Mark-Release-Recapture Population
N1 x N2/NM
N1 x N2/NM
N1 = total 1st time N2 = total 2nd time NM = marked and recaptured
Assumptions of mark-release-recapture techniques
- proportion of marked to unmarked in the second samples if equal to the proportion of marked to unmarked in the whole population
- marked individuals from first sample distribute themselves evenly with enough time to do so
- population has a boundary so no emigration/immigration
- few deaths and births
- method of marking does not make it more liable to predation
- mark is not lost during the investigation
Pattern of population growth curves
- period of slow growth as small numbers reproduce slowly (lag phase)
- period of rapid growth (exponential or log phase) – population doubles per unit of time
- period where population growth remains stable with cyclic fluctuations
Effect of predator-prey relationship on population size (6)
Predators eat prey and reduce the prey population (1); predators now in greater competition for food (1); predator population is reduced as some individuals cannot compete (1); fewer prey are eaten (1); prey population increases (1); more prey for food so predator population increases (1).
Remember that a predator-prey graph is often cyclical and that there is a time-lag between the pattern showed by the prey and that of the predator.
Factors affecting birth rates
Economic conditions; cultural backgrounds; social conditions; birth control; political factors.
Factors affecting death rates
Age profile; life expectancy at birth; food supply; effective sanitation; medical care; natural disasters; war.
Stable population pyramid
birth rate and death rate in balance; no increase or decrease in population size
Increasing population pyramid
high birth rate; gives a wider base to the pyramid; fewer older people; so narrower apex
Decreasing population pyramid
lower birth rate; so narrower base; more older people; wider apex
Information required to calculate growth of a population (2)
Births and deaths (1); numbers of emigrants and immigrants (1)
Why organisms need energy (1)
Metabolism; movement (energy for muscle contraction); active transport (to change shape of carrier proteins); cell division; production of enzymes and hormones (energy needed to form lysosomes for secretion); maintenance of internal body temperatures.
Flow of energy through an ecosystem (3)
Light energy converted to chemical energy during photosynthesis (1); organic molecules converted to ATP during respiration (1); ATP used by cells to perform useful work (1)