Adaptations, Interdependence And Competition

Habitat.

The place where an organism lives.

Population.

All the organisms of one species living in a habitat.

Community.

The populations of different species living in a habitat.

Abiotic factors.

Non-living factors of the environment, e.g. temperature.

Biotic factors.

Living factors of the environment, e.g. food.

Ecosystem.

The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of theor environment.

What are the different levels of organisation in an ecosystem?

Organism, Population, Community and Ecosystem,.

What is interdependence?

Within a community each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal etc.

Why is interdependence important?

If the population of one organism rises or falls, then this can affect the rest of the ecosystem.

What do organisms require to survive and reproduce?

A supply of materials from their surroundings and from other living organisms there.

What do plants in a community or habitat often compete with each other for?

For light and space, and for water and mineral ions from the soil.

What do animals in a community often compete with each other for?

Food, mates and territory.

What is a stable community?

One where all the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population sizes remain fairly constant.

What are some abiotic (non-living) factors that can affect a community?

• Light intensity.

• Temperature.

• Moisture levels.

• Soil pH and mineral content.

• Wind intensity and direction.

• Carbon dioxide levels for plants.

• Oxygen levels for aquatic animals.

What are some biotic (living) factors that can affect a community?

• Availability of food.

• New predators arriving.

• New pathogens.

• One species outcompeting another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed.

What do organisms have in order to survive the conditions in which they normally live in?

Adaptations (Features).

What are the three types of adaptations?

Structural, behavioural and functional.

What is meant by a structural adaptation?

The features of an organism’s body structure - such as shape and colour.

What is meant by a behavioural adaptation?

The way an organism behaves - e.g; many species migrate to warmer climates during the winter to avoid the cold.

What is meant by a functional adaptation?

How the organism works, things that go on inside the body of an organism.

What are extremophiles?

Organisms that live in environments that are very extreme, such as at high temperature, pressure, or salt concentration - e.g: bacteria living in deep sea vents.