organisms and adaptations - biology Y10

abiotic factor

nonliving factors, eg pH, moisture, light intensity, radiation, heat etc.

biotic factor

living factors eg food availability, predators, pathogens, competition etc.

adaptation

specific feature allowing an organism to survive in their environment eg secreting poison, high surface area to maximise heat loss etc.

extremophiles

organisms adapted to live in extreme environments eg extreme heat, pressure, lack of light, pH etc. bacteria in undersea vents are an example, also tardigrades

biomass

total mass of organisms, usually on a single trophic level, usually dried

trophic levels

levels of the food chain. producers (usually plants, photosynthesise to produce energy) -> primary consumers (feed on plants) -> secondary consumers (feed on primaries) -> tertiary consumers (top of the food chain, usually feed on secondaries).

decomposers

break down dead matter through secreting enzymes. live off of absorbed nutrients from this. generally fungi or bacteria

detritivores

feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter. generally increases surface area for decomposers to access.

carbon cycle

carbon travels across the food chain. taken in from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, released through respiration, moves between trophic levels when organisms are consumed. also stored as fossil fuels, released through burning

water cycle

water travelling between rain, water stores like rivers and lakes and the atmosphere

interdependance

where organisms depend on each other to survive (as a food source, habitat/shelter, keeping numbers in check etc)

pyramids of biomass, numbers and energy

all are self explanatory - how many organisms/how much biomass/how much energy is there on each level? Energy is most effective especially in aquatic environments. Energy is lost each tier.