10. adapations of organisms

Describe and explain how the polar bear is adapted to allow it to survive in its’ environment.

• White – camouflage

• Thick fur – insulation

• Small ears, short tail – reduce heat loss

• Ability to swim long distances to hunt

• Excellent sense of smell to detect prey

What are behavioural adaptations?

Something they do to aid survival

(How an organism behaves)

behavioural adaptations for polar bear.

Stalks seals and smashes through ice to locate prey

What are morphological adaptations?

Physical adaptation involving the structure of an organism;that aids survival

morphological adaptations for the polar bear

Thick fur

What are physiological adaptations?

Biochemical adaptation – internal processes that conserve energy

physiological adaptations for the polar bear.

Go months without food as metabolic rate can drop to lower level

Climatic factors

Temp range

Availability of water

Light intensity

Light quality

Day length

Temperature range

Many species are adapted to live within a temperature range.

Too hot = denature enzymes

Too cold= turn water in cells to ice

Availability. Of water as factors

Hydrophytes- live in habitats where water is plentiful Xerophytes- live in habitats where water is limited.

Mammals have waterproof layer of skin and gas exchange surface is deep within the body - protects hem from water loss

Light intensity as factor

More light, more photosynthesis, faster growth.

some species highly adapted for low light intensity - heightened sense of smell

Light quality as factor

Plants can only use certain wavelengths of light for photosynthesis

Adapted to maximise absorption of particular wavelengths by having greater proportion of light absorbing pigment

Day length as factor

Longer day, more light, more photosynthesis, more growth

Edaphic factors

pH values

Availability of nutrients-Macronutrients and micronutrients

Water content

Aeration of soils

pH values

Affects availability of ions.

Optimum pH for most plants is neutral. Few species are adapted for acidic or alkaline conditions

Availability of nutrients- Macronutrients and Micronutrients

Macronutrients - nitrate and calcium divided by plants in large amounts

Micronutrients- ions required in smalls amounts by plants for healthy growth and development

Water content

Most plants adapted for moist but well drained soils Some adapted for waterlogged soil with low levels of oxygen.

Aeration of soils

Oxygen in soil used by plants in respiration. Soil microbes require oxygen for decomposition

Biotic. Factors examples

Competitors

Predators and prey

Accumulation of waste.

Competitors

Organisms compete with one another for limited resources. Some win and others lose out.

Interspecific competition - competition between organisms of different species

Intraspecific competition - competition between organism of same species

Predators and prey

Number of predators is influenced by number of prey available to them and vice versa.

High prey numbers - more food for predator, increases predator number.

Reduce prey number therefore less food for predator which causes their numbers to fall etc.

Accumulation of waste

Toxic waste restricts Growth

What is meant by the term ecological niche?

An organisms role in its ecosystem