AQA Biology Triple Higher - Ecology

What is a habitat?

The place where an organism lives.

What is a population?

All the organisms of one species living in a habitat

What is a community?

The populations of different species living in a habitat

What is an ecosystem?

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

What are examples of abiotic factors?

• Temperature

• Moisture Level

• Light Intensity

• Soil pH

• CO2 Level

• Oxygen Level

What are examples of biotic factors?

• New Predators Arriving

• New Pathogens

• Availability of Food

• Competiton

What is intraspecific competition?

Competition within a species

What is interspecific competition?

Competition within a community or ecosystem

What are structural adaptations?

Features of an organisms body structure - such as shape of colour.

What are two examples of Structural Adaptations?

• Artic Foxes - they have white fur for camouflage which helps them avoid predators and sneak up on prey

• Camels - have a large surface area to volume ratio to help them lose heat and a thin layer of fat.

What are Behavioural Adaptations?

These are the way that organisms behave.

What is an example of a Behavioural Adaptation?

Swallows migrate to warmer climates during winter to avoid living in colder climates.

What are Functional Adaptations?

These are things that go on inside an organism's body that can be related to processes like reproduction and metabolism.

What are two examples of Functional Adaptations?

• Desert Animals conserve water by sweating less and having concentrated urine.

• Brown bears hibernate over winter meaning they dont have to hunt when there's not alot of food around.

What is an extremeophile?

Organisms that live in environments that are very extreme, such as having a high temperature, pressure, or salt concentration.

Where can pollution occur?

• In water, from sewage, fertilisers or toxic chemicals

• In air, from smoke and acidic gases

• On land, from landfill and from toxic chemicals

What are the 4 factors that affect rate of decay?

• Temperature

• Oxgen Availability

• Water Availability

• Number of Decay Organisms

How does Temperature affect the Rate of Decay?

Warmer temperatures are better because they increase the rate that the enzymes involved in decomposition work at. Really hot and really cold temperatures are also bad.

How does Oxygen Availability affect the Rate of Decay?

Many organisms need oxygen to respire. However the microorganisms in anaerobic decay don't need oxygen.

How does Water Availability affect the Rate of Decay?

Decay takes place faster in moist environments as the organisms invilved need water to cardy out biological processes.

How does Number of Decay Organisms affect the Rate of Decay?

The more microorganisms and detrius feeders there are, the faster decomposition happens.

What is Biogas made of and how?

It is made of mostly methabe and is made by anaerobic decay of waste material normally in a simple fermenter or generated.

What conditions are needed to store biogas?

• The generators need to be kept at a constant temperature to keep the microorganisms from respiring away.

• It can’t be stored as liquid as it needs a higher pressure so it has to be used straight away.

What are the two types of biogas generator?

• Batch

• Continous

What is biodiversity?

The variety of different species of organisms on Earth, or. within an ecosystem.

Why is biodiversity important?

It makes sure that ecosystems are stable because different species depend on each other for things like shelter and food.

What problems can deforestation cause?

• Less carbon dioxide taken in

• More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

• Less biodiversity

What is peat made of?

Partly rotted plants that don't fully decompose due to lack of oxygen.

What are ways to protect ecosystems?

• Breeding Programs

• Programmes to protect and regenerate rare habitats

• Reintroducing Field Margins

• Government Regulations

What are problems with maintaining biodiversity?

• It costs money

• Can lead to unemployment

• Can cause conflict with food security

What is Trophic Level 1?

Producers

What is Trophic Level 2?

Primary Comsumers

What is Trophic Level 3?

Secondary Consumers

What is Trophic Level 4?

Tertiary Consumers / Apex Predators

What is mycoprotein made from?

The fungus Fusarium which is grown in aerobic conditions on glucose syrup

What is mycoprotein used for?

High protein meat substitutes like Quorn.

How is the insulin gene cut out of a chromosome.

By using restriction enzymes which recognise specific sequences of DNA and cut the DNA at these points.

How could biotechnology be used to ensure food security?

• GM crops can be produced that are pest resistant - improving crop yields

• They can be modified to grow better in drought conditions

• They can be modified to have more nutritional value.