ecology: interaction organisms <-> environment: chapter 1

Epiphyte

an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it.

Leaf mosaic

the arrangement of foliage in most plants (as in the common ivy) in such a pattern as to expose the maximum number of leaves to the direct rays of the sun with little loss of intervening space.

Stomata

________ is deeper in the leave → preventing dehydration.

How did plants adapt to frequent trampling?

they grow from the bottom, leaf position = vertical, have dense and shallow root systems

Concentration of salt cells concentration of salt soil → plant

________ can absorb H2O.

herbs growth

Forest ________ is in spring → almost no competition → summer → dense foliage → stops sunlight → after seed forming → the plant dies above ground →made enough nutrients during spring → stored in rhizomes.

Grasses

________= fast growers →take away light herbaceous plants → development of rosette=

stem succulent example

a cactus

leave succulent example

Aloe Vera

example

samphire = a salt-tolerant succulent

example

mangrove

example

Venus fly trap (= VFT)

example

plantoga major, daisy

to lessen competition → plants grow in other direction → depends on place example

oak

example

orchids

To what are succulents adjusted?

drought

To what are halophytes adjusted?

high salinity

To what are carnivorous plants adjusted?

poor soil

How are leaf succulents adjusted?

They have a thick wax layer, less stomata + stomata are deeper in the leaf

How are stem succulents adjusted?

The stem can store H2O, leaves = needles, thick wax layer, deep and well-branced roots, white hairs

In what ways can halophytes survive high salinity?

1. concentration of salt plant cells >>> concentration of salt soil 2. salt glands on leaves

What is the purpose of the white hairs?

They reflect sunlight, retain an air layer as isolation, retain dew and raindrops -> roots can absorb it

osmosis

the movement of water molecules from a solution with a high concentration of water molecules to a solution with a lower concentration of water molecules, through a cell's partially permeable membrane. Until the concentration is equal on both sides

How are plants adjusted to light comptetition?

growth speed (=stopping fast growers for example development of the rosette), growth period, growth direction crown, leaf mosaic

How does a tree grow in an open field?

wide, branched, symmetrical

How does a tree grow in a forest?

grows in height, less side branches

How does a tree grow at the forest edge?

asymmetrical, to the edge of the forest

Why do carnivorous plants digest insects?

To get their nutrients since they can't fixate enough nitrogen and can't assimilate protein compounds