Biology - 16 Adaptations, Interdependence, and Competition - 16.5 Competition in Plants & 16.6 Adapt and Survive & 16.7 Adaptation in Animals & 16.8 Adaptations in Plants

What do plants compete for? [4]

- light
- water
- mineral ions
- space

Adaptations to cope with competition [4]:

- flowering early in the year when tree cover is minimal
- having different (deeper or shallower) roots than local species
- growing taller to reach light or having broader leaves to increase surface area
- tendrils or suckers that allow them to climb

Seed dispersal methods [4]:

- seeds with flight capability
- seeds carried by vectors after eating fruit
- explosive seed pods
- utilising flowing water

Adaptation

trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce

Epiphyte [2]

- uses other plants for support
- collect water and nutrients from air with specially adapted leaves

Saguaro cactus [3]

- flowers open at night and have strong perfume and lots of nectar
- flowers stand on top of cactus
- bats feed on nectar and pollinate flowers

Herbivore teeth

flat teeth for grinding plants

Carnivore teeth

pointed teeth for tearing flesh

Adaptation to sea water

some seabirds and iguanas, as well as mangrove trees, remove excess salt from the body via a gland

Adaptation to extreme winters

animals and plants produce a chemical that acts as an antifreeze to prevent freezing water damaging cells

Adaptation of plants to live on water

large air spaces in the leaves to float so they can photosynthesise

Extremophile

organism that grows under extreme or harsh conditions

Archaea

one of two prokaryotic domains, the other being bacteria

Thermophile

an organism that has adapted to living in very high temperatures (45 - 80°C) via special enzymes that do not denature

Saline extremophile

bacteria with adaptations to the cytoplasm so that water does not exit the cell by osmosis

Types of adaptations [3]:

- structural (i.e. shape, colour)
- behavioural (i.e. migration, basking, tools)
- functional (i.e. delayed embryonic implantation, antifreeze)

Adaptations of animals in cold climates [3]:

- small SA:V to reduce loss of heat
- small SA on thin-skinned areas
- insulation (blubber or fur)

Camouflage [2]

- structural adaptation
- important to predators and prey

Adaptations of animals in desert climates [4]:

- kidneys that retain a lot of water and produce very concentrated urine
- more active at cool times (morning and evening)
- large SA:V (small animals)
- large ears to transfer energy to surroundings

Adaptations of plants in desert climates [4]:

- broad leaves to collect dew and funnel to roots
- leaves with a small surface area to reduce loss of water
- curled leaved to hold a pocket of moist air and reduce water loss
- thick cuticle to reduce water loss

Marram grass

tightly curled leaves to reduce surface area for water loss and survive in dry conditions

Butcher's-broom

survives in dry, shady conditions under trees as leaves are really flattened stem, reducing water loss

Cacti

leaves are reduced to needles to discourage animals from eating and reduce the surface area

Collecting water in dry conditions [2]

- roots that spread over a wide area
- roots that penetrate very deep

Storing water in dry conditions

fleshy leaves, stems or roots contain tissue adapted to store water