7.1 - Adaptations, Interdependence and Competition Flashcards

State the levels of organisation in an ecosystem

Individual

Population

Community

Ecosystem

What's an ecosystem?

The interaction between the living components and nonliving components

State the factors that plants may compete for

Light

Space

Water

Mineral ions from soil

State the factors of animals may compete for

Food

Mates

Territory

What is intraspecific competition?

Competition within a species

What is interspecific competition?

Competition between different species

What is interdependence?

Different species in an ecosystem depend on each other for various resources

If one species is removed, community may be affected

What is a stable community?

A community in which all the biotic factors(different species) and all the abiotic factors are balanced so that population sizes remain relatively constant

What are abiotic factors?

Nonliving factors

State the abiotic factors that may affect an ecosystem

Light intensity

Temperature

Moisture

Soil pH and mineral content

Wind intensity and direction

Carbon dioxide levels

Oxygen

Why might light intensity affect an ecosystem?

Different species of plants may have different optimum light intensity for growth

Why does temperature affect an ecosystem?

Different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth than survival

How does soil pH affect an ecosystem?

Certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil

Soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant

How does moisture level affect an ecosystem?

Many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire

Certain plants are adapted to high moisture levels

How does wind intensity affect an ecosystem?

Plant seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity which may also attract animals that depend on the plants to live nearby

How does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem?

Most plants require high-level of soil minerals to grow well

Given an example of a type of plant that is adapted to low soil mineral content

Carnivores plants catch insects to compensate for low levels of soil mineral content

How does carbon dioxide concentration affect an ecosystem?

Higher carbon dioxide concentration leads to more plant growth

How does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem?

Aquatic animals cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration

State the biotic factors that may affect an ecosystem

Food

Predators

Pathogens

Competition

What are adaptations?

Features that enable organisms to survive in their living environment

What are organisms living in extreme environment called?

Extremofiles

Give three examples of extreme living environments

High temperature

High pressure

High salt concentration

States an example of where extremophile bacteria can be found

In deep sea vents