Biology year 11 set

What is an environmental pressure?

Factors that affect the survival and reproduction of organisms, such as climate or competition.

How do abiotic factors affect organisms?

Abiotic factors like temperature and water availability influence organism survival and reproduction.

What are biotic factors?

Factors related to living organisms, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis.

How does competition affect species in an ecosystem?

Species compete for limited resources, which can reduce population sizes or lead to species displacement.

What is predation?

An interaction where one species hunts and eats another species.

What is symbiosis?

A close relationship between two species that may be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.

What is mutualism?

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

What is commensalism?

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, and the other is unaffected.

What is parasitism?

A relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

How do ecological niches influence species interactions?

Niche defines how species interact with the environment and other species, influencing survival.

What is a population?

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

What factors influence population size?

Birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum population size an environment can support based on resources.

How do environmental pressures lead to natural selection?

Individuals with beneficial traits survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations.

What is the role of selection pressures in evolution?

Selection pressures like climate or predation determine which traits are advantageous.

How does predation affect prey populations?

Predation can decrease prey populations by removing individuals.

What are the effects of climate change on biodiversity?

Climate change can lead to shifts in species distribution and reduce biodiversity.

How can abiotic factors such as water availability impact plant populations?

Limited water can reduce plant growth, affecting population size.

What is an invasive species?

A species that is introduced to a new environment and disrupts local ecosystems.

Give an example of a recent extinction event.

The extinction of the Spix’s Macaw, due to habitat destruction and hunting.

What is the role of disease in population dynamics?

Disease can reduce populations by causing mortality and limiting reproduction.

How do changes in the environment affect species diversity?

Environmental changes can favor certain species, reducing overall diversity.

What is an example of a selection pressure in Australia?

The introduction of cane toads, which prey on native species, affecting local populations.

How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity?

Habitat destruction leads to species loss, reducing biodiversity.

What is the impact of temperature on species survival?

Extreme temperatures can limit the survival of species adapted to specific climates.

How do predators regulate prey populations?

Predators reduce the number of prey, preventing overpopulation and resource depletion.

What are the effects of competition on population growth?

Competition for resources can limit population growth, leading to smaller populations.

How do seasonal changes influence species abundance?

Seasonal changes affect food availability, reproduction, and survival rates.

How do species adapt to abiotic factors like temperature?

Species may develop adaptations such as behavioral changes or physiological processes to survive temperature extremes.

What role does genetic diversity play in adaptation?

Genetic diversity allows populations to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

What are structural adaptations?

Physical features of an organism that enhance its survival, such as camouflage or sharp claws.

What are physiological adaptations?

Internal processes that enhance survival, such as water conservation or temperature regulation.

What are behavioral adaptations?

Actions or behaviors that improve survival, like migration or nocturnal activity.

How do adaptations increase an organism’s chances of survival?

Adaptations enable organisms to cope with environmental pressures, improving survival and reproduction.

Give an example of a structural adaptation.

The long neck of a giraffe, which allows it to feed from tall trees.

Give an example of a physiological adaptation.

The ability of desert animals to conserve water.

Give an example of a behavioral adaptation.

Birds migrating to warmer climates during winter.

How do adaptations help organisms compete for resources?

Adaptations like speed, strength, or special feeding mechanisms help organisms access resources more effectively.

How does camouflage help organisms avoid predation?

Camouflage allows organisms to blend in with their surroundings, making them less visible to predators.

How do adaptations improve reproduction success?

Adaptations like mating displays or reproductive strategies increase the likelihood of successful reproduction.

What is natural selection?

The process where organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce, passing these traits to offspring.

How does the finch population in the Galapagos Islands demonstrate natural selection?

Finch beak sizes changed over generations, depending on available food, showing natural selection in action.

What role do mutations play in adaptation?

Mutations introduce genetic variation, some of which may be beneficial for survival.

How did Darwin’s observations of finches support his theory of evolution?

The variation in beak size among finches showed how species adapt to their environments through natural selection.

What is the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?

The theory that species evolve over time due to the survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits.

How do adaptations to environmental pressures lead to speciation?

Over time, populations with different adaptations can become reproductively isolated, leading to the formation of new species.

What is the difference between adaptation and acclimatization?

Adaptation is a genetic change over generations, while acclimatization is a temporary physiological response to environmental changes.

How does the distribution of prickly pear in Australia show the effect of selection pressures?

The introduction of the Cactophagus beetle reduced the prickly pear population, showing how selection pressures can shape species distribution.

What is an example of a physiological adaptation to temperature?

Some mammals have fur that insulates them against cold temperatures.

How do behavioral adaptations help animals avoid predators?

Animals may hide, flee, or use defensive strategies to avoid being eaten.

What is the significance of camouflage in survival?

Camouflage helps organisms avoid detection by predators, increasing their chances of survival.

How do structural adaptations help animals find food?

Adaptations like sharp teeth, long tongues, or specialized limbs help animals capture and consume food.

What is the role of mimicry in survival?

Mimicry allows one species to resemble another, often to avoid predation or increase mating success.

How does migration as a behavioral adaptation improve survival?

Migration helps species find better conditions for feeding and reproduction, especially in response to changing seasons.

How does the ability to digest different foods give an organism an advantage?

Organisms that can consume a variety of food sources are more likely to survive in fluctuating environments.

How do animals use behavioral adaptations to regulate temperature?

Some animals, like reptiles, bask in the sun to warm up and seek shade to cool down.

How do physiological adaptations allow organisms to conserve water?

Some desert animals produce concentrated urine or have specialized kidneys to reduce water loss.

How can the body’s metabolism be an adaptation to extreme environments?

Organisms in extreme environments may have a slower or faster metabolism to survive under harsh conditions.

How do animal behaviors change during mating seasons?

Animals often engage in more pronounced displays, such as calls or dances, to attract mates during breeding seasons.

How do adaptations allow species to occupy different habitats?

Adaptations enable species to survive in diverse environments, from deserts to rainforests.

What is the role of predation in shaping community structure?

Predation reduces prey populations and can lead to shifts in the abundance of other species.

How does climate change act as a selection pressure?

Climate change can create new environmental challenges, favoring species that can adapt to changing conditions.

What is the relationship between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem?

Abiotic factors (like temperature and soil) affect the living conditions of biotic factors (like plants and animals), which in turn influence ecosystem dynamics.

How does habitat fragmentation affect species survival?

Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, limiting gene flow and increasing the risk of extinction.

What is an ecological footprint?

An ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of human activities on an ecosystem, including resource consumption and waste production.

What is an example of an invasive species in Australia?

Cane toads are an invasive species that disrupt native ecosystems.

How do invasive species affect native biodiversity?

Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources, leading to declines in biodiversity.

How do selection pressures impact species adaptation?

Selection pressures such as predation or climate can favor traits that increase an organism’s fitness in a given environment.

How do disease outbreaks impact population dynamics?

Disease outbreaks can decrease population sizes and alter community structures by affecting certain species more than others.

How do abiotic factors like light affect plant growth?

Light is necessary for photosynthesis, and insufficient light can limit plant growth and survival.

What is the impact of ocean acidification on marine life?

Ocean acidification affects marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells, such as corals and shellfish, making it harder for them to build and maintain their shells.

How does the availability of food influence animal populations?

The availability of food directly affects survival and reproduction rates, with abundant food leading to larger populations.

What is the effect of extreme weather events on biodiversity?

Extreme weather events can lead to habitat destruction and loss of species, reducing biodiversity in affected areas.

How does altitude affect species distribution?

As altitude increases, environmental conditions become more extreme, limiting the types of species that can survive.

How do seasonal variations influence reproductive cycles?

Many species time their reproductive cycles with favorable environmental conditions, such as warmer temperatures or increased food availability.

How do organisms adapt to low oxygen environments?

Some species, like high-altitude animals, have adaptations such as increased red blood cell production to capture more oxygen.

What is the role of soil type in plant distribution?

Different soil types provide varying nutrients and water, influencing which plants can grow in specific areas.

What is a keystone species?

A keystone species has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance or biomass, affecting the structure and diversity of the community.

How does predation contribute to maintaining biodiversity?

Predation helps prevent any one species from becoming too dominant, allowing for greater biodiversity in ecosystems.

How do fire regimes affect ecosystems?

Regular fires can maintain some ecosystems by clearing dead vegetation and promoting new growth, while suppressing fires can lead to a buildup of fuel and more intense fires.

What are the consequences of overfishing on marine ecosystems?

Overfishing depletes fish populations, disrupts food chains, and can lead to the collapse of marine ecosystems.

How do human activities influence selection pressures on species?

Human activities such as urbanization, pollution, and deforestation create new selection pressures, often favoring species that can adapt to human-modified environments.

How does the introduction of new predators alter an ecosystem?

New predators can decimate native species that lack defenses against them, disrupting food webs and ecosystem functions.

How does the oxygen concentration in water affect aquatic life?

Low oxygen levels in water can lead to hypoxia, which harms aquatic organisms and reduces biodiversity.

What is a trophic cascade?

A trophic cascade is a series of changes in population sizes across different trophic levels in an ecosystem, often triggered by the removal or addition of a predator.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients and maintaining ecosystem function.

How do human activities impact the nitrogen cycle?

Human activities, like agriculture and industrial processes, release excess nitrogen into ecosystems, leading to eutrophication and changes in species composition.

What is an example of a mutualistic relationship?

The relationship between bees and flowers is mutualistic, with bees pollinating flowers while feeding on nectar.

How do changes in water availability impact plant populations?

Limited water availability reduces plant growth and reproduction, leading to a decline in plant population sizes.

How do extreme temperatures influence the distribution of species?

Species that cannot tolerate extreme temperatures will be limited to regions with more favorable conditions.

How do birds use behavioral adaptations to find food?

Birds may use tools, forage in groups, or change their feeding habits depending on food availability.

What is a physiological adaptation to cold climates?

Some animals, like polar bears, have thick fur and fat layers to insulate them against cold temperatures.

How do plants adapt to drought conditions?

Some plants have deep roots or water-storing tissues to survive periods of drought.

How does the behavior of nocturnal animals help them avoid predators?

Nocturnal animals are active at night, avoiding daytime predators that rely on sight.

What is a structural adaptation in desert animals?

Desert animals often have large ears to dissipate heat or thick skin to conserve water.

What is an example of a behavioral adaptation in predators?

Predators like wolves work in packs to hunt larger prey efficiently.

How do some plants attract pollinators?

Plants use brightly colored flowers and sweet-smelling nectar to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How do fish adapt to life in deep-sea environments?

Deep-sea fish often have specialized adaptations, such as bioluminescence or the ability to withstand high pressure.

How do mammals adapt to living in different habitats?

Mammals may have specialized fur, behavior, or metabolism to survive in varied habitats, from deserts to polar regions.

What is the role of mimicry in avoiding predation?

Mimicry allows harmless species to resemble dangerous or poisonous species, reducing their chances of being eaten.