Adaptation Of Organisms Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is adaptation?
Adaptation is how all species have features which allow them to survive in the environment in which they are normally found.
What are the 3 types of adaptation?
- Morphological/physical
- Behavioural
- Physiological/biochemical
Give an example of a morphological adaptation.
Thick white fur of the polar bear.
Give an example of a behavioural adaptation.
How it stalks its prey and smashes through ice to locate it.
Give an example of a physiological adaptation.
The lowering of its metabolic rate when food is scarce to conserve energy.
What are the 3 types of ecological factors that influence the distribution of organisms?
- Climatic
- Edaphic
- Biotic
List the main climatic factors.
Temperature, water availability, light intensity and quality, and day length.
List the main edaphic factors.
PH, availability of nutrients, water content, and oxygen content (aeration).
List the main biotic factors.
Competition (interspecific - between different species and intraspecific - within the same species), predator-prey relationships, and accumulation of waste.
What is an organism’s ecological niche?
An organisms role within the environment, and its interaction with biotic and abiotic factors
What is the purpose of sampling when investigating organisms present in an area?
Habitats are normally too large to be able to count the numbers of all the different species present.
Why do we randomly sample in biology?
To avoid bias and ensure the sample is representative.
How do we estimate the amount or abundance of organisms present?
Using quadrats to count numbers per unit area, estimate % cover, and record frequency.
What is density in the context of sampling?
Count numbers using a quadrat to give numbers per unit area.
What does % cover indicate in sampling?
Estimation of % area in a quadrat covered by a plant species (round up to nearest 10%).
What is frequency in sampling?
At each sampling point, record a species as being present or absent.
When would systematic sampling be used?
When there appears to be zonation or clear transitions from one habitat to another.
What does systematic sampling involve?
Sampling is carried out along a line or transect, either continually or at intervals.
What is a belt transect?
Quadrats are placed at regular sample points and the abundance of the organisms within each is recorded.
What is an interrupted belt transect?
Same as belt transect but sampling is done at intervals over a long distance.
