Biology year 11 set
Here’s a list of 150 flashcard-style questions and answers based on the Year 11 NSW Biology preliminary course topics you provided. These are concise and ideal for Quizlet:
Effects of the Environment on Organisms
What is an environmental pressure?
Factors that affect the survival and reproduction of organisms, such as climate or competition.
How do abiotic factors affect organisms?
Abiotic factors like temperature and water availability influence organism survival and reproduction.
What are biotic factors?
Factors related to living organisms, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis.
How does competition affect species in an ecosystem?
Species compete for limited resources, which can reduce population sizes or lead to species displacement.
What is predation?
An interaction where one species hunts and eats another species.
What is symbiosis?
A close relationship between two species that may be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.
What is mutualism?
A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.
What is commensalism?
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, and the other is unaffected.
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.
How do ecological niches influence species interactions?
Niche defines how species interact with the environment and other species, influencing survival.
What is a population?
A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.
What factors influence population size?
Birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum population size an environment can support based on resources.
How do environmental pressures lead to natural selection?
Individuals with beneficial traits survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations.
What is the role of selection pressures in evolution?
Selection pressures like climate or predation determine which traits are advantageous.
How does predation affect prey populations?
Predation can decrease prey populations by removing individuals.
What are the effects of climate change on biodiversity?
Climate change can lead to shifts in species distribution and reduce biodiversity.
How can abiotic factors such as water availability impact plant populations?
Limited water can reduce plant growth, affecting population size.
What is an invasive species?
A species that is introduced to a new environment and disrupts local ecosystems.
Give an example of a recent extinction event.
The extinction of the Spix’s Macaw, due to habitat destruction and hunting.
What is the role of disease in population dynamics?
Disease can reduce populations by causing mortality and limiting reproduction.
How do changes in the environment affect species diversity?
Environmental changes can favor certain species, reducing overall diversity.
What is an example of a selection pressure in Australia?
The introduction of cane toads, which prey on native species, affecting local populations.
How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity?
Habitat destruction leads to species loss, reducing biodiversity.
What is the impact of temperature on species survival?
Extreme temperatures can limit the survival of species adapted to specific climates.
How do predators regulate prey populations?
Predators reduce the number of prey, preventing overpopulation and resource depletion.
What are the effects of competition on population growth?
Competition for resources can limit population growth, leading to smaller populations.
How do seasonal changes influence species abundance?
Seasonal changes affect food availability, reproduction, and survival rates.
How do species adapt to abiotic factors like temperature?
Species may develop adaptations such as behavioral changes or physiological processes to survive temperature extremes.
What role does genetic diversity play in adaptation?
Genetic diversity allows populations to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Adaptations
What are structural adaptations?
Physical features of an organism that enhance its survival, such as camouflage or sharp claws.
What are physiological adaptations?
Internal processes that enhance survival, such as water conservation or temperature regulation.
What are behavioral adaptations?
Actions or behaviors that improve survival, like migration or nocturnal activity.
How do adaptations increase an organism’s chances of survival?
Adaptations enable organisms to cope with environmental pressures, improving survival and reproduction.
Give an example of a structural adaptation.
The long neck of a giraffe, which allows it to feed from tall trees.
Give an example of a physiological adaptation.
The ability of desert animals to conserve water.
Give an example of a behavioral adaptation.
Birds migrating to warmer climates during winter.
How do adaptations help organisms compete for resources?
Adaptations like speed, strength, or special feeding mechanisms help organisms access resources more effectively.
How does camouflage help organisms avoid predation?
Camouflage allows organisms to blend in with their surroundings, making them less visible to predators.
How do adaptations improve reproduction success?
Adaptations like mating displays or reproductive strategies increase the likelihood of successful reproduction.
What is natural selection?
The process where organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce, passing these traits to offspring.
How does the finch population in the Galapagos Islands demonstrate natural selection?
Finch beak sizes changed over generations, depending on available food, showing natural selection in action.
What role do mutations play in adaptation?
Mutations introduce genetic variation, some of which may be beneficial for survival.
How did Darwin’s observations of finches support his theory of evolution?
The variation in beak size among finches showed how species adapt to their environments through natural selection.
What is the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?
The theory that species evolve over time due to the survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits.
How do adaptations to environmental pressures lead to speciation?
Over time, populations with different adaptations can become reproductively isolated, leading to the formation of new species.
What is the difference between adaptation and acclimatization?
Adaptation is a genetic change over generations, while acclimatization is a temporary physiological response to environmental changes.
How does the distribution of prickly pear in Australia show the effect of selection pressures?
The introduction of the Cactophagus beetle reduced the prickly pear population, showing how selection pressures can shape species distribution.
What is an example of a physiological adaptation to temperature?
Some mammals have fur that insulates them against cold temperatures.
How do behavioral adaptations help animals avoid predators?
Animals may hide, flee, or use defensive strategies to avoid being eaten.
What is the significance of camouflage in survival?
Camouflage helps organisms avoid detection by predators, increasing their chances of survival.
How do structural adaptations help animals find food?
Adaptations like sharp teeth, long tongues, or specialized limbs help animals capture and consume food.
What is the role of mimicry in survival?
Mimicry allows one species to resemble another, often to avoid predation or increase mating success.
How does migration as a behavioral adaptation improve survival?
Migration helps species find better conditions for feeding and reproduction, especially in response to changing seasons.
How does the ability to digest different foods give an organism an advantage?
Organisms that can consume a variety of food sources are more likely to survive in fluctuating environments.
How do animals use behavioral adaptations to regulate temperature?
Some animals, like reptiles, bask in the sun to warm up and seek shade to cool down.
How do physiological adaptations allow organisms to conserve water?
Some desert animals produce concentrated urine or have specialized kidneys to reduce water loss.
How can the body’s metabolism be an adaptation to extreme environments?
Organisms in extreme environments may have a slower or faster metabolism to survive under harsh conditions.
How do animal behaviors change during mating seasons?
Animals often engage in more pronounced displays, such as calls or dances, to attract mates during breeding seasons.
How do adaptations allow species to occupy different habitats?
Adaptations enable species to survive in diverse environments, from deserts to rainforests.
Here’s the continuation of your flashcard-style questions and answers:
Effects of the Environment on Organisms (continued)
What is the role of predation in shaping community structure?
Predation reduces prey populations and can lead to shifts in the abundance of other species.
How does climate change act as a selection pressure?
Climate change can create new environmental challenges, favoring species that can adapt to changing conditions.
What is the relationship between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Abiotic factors (like temperature and soil) affect the living conditions of biotic factors (like plants and animals), which in turn influence ecosystem dynamics.
How does habitat fragmentation affect species survival?
Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, limiting gene flow and increasing the risk of extinction.
What is an ecological footprint?
An ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of human activities on an ecosystem, including resource consumption and waste production.
What is an example of an invasive species in Australia?
Cane toads are an invasive species that disrupt native ecosystems.
How do invasive species affect native biodiversity?
Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources, leading to declines in biodiversity.
How do selection pressures impact species adaptation?
Selection pressures such as predation or climate can favor traits that increase an organism’s fitness in a given environment.
How do disease outbreaks impact population dynamics?
Disease outbreaks can decrease population sizes and alter community structures by affecting certain species more than others.
How do abiotic factors like light affect plant growth?
Light is necessary for photosynthesis, and insufficient light can limit plant growth and survival.
What is the impact of ocean acidification on marine life?
Ocean acidification affects marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells, such as corals and shellfish, making it harder for them to build and maintain their shells.
How does the availability of food influence animal populations?
The availability of food directly affects survival and reproduction rates, with abundant food leading to larger populations.
What is the effect of extreme weather events on biodiversity?
Extreme weather events can lead to habitat destruction and loss of species, reducing biodiversity in affected areas.
How does altitude affect species distribution?
As altitude increases, environmental conditions become more extreme, limiting the types of species that can survive.
How do seasonal variations influence reproductive cycles?
Many species time their reproductive cycles with favorable environmental conditions, such as warmer temperatures or increased food availability.
How do organisms adapt to low oxygen environments?
Some species, like high-altitude animals, have adaptations such as increased red blood cell production to capture more oxygen.
What is the role of soil type in plant distribution?
Different soil types provide varying nutrients and water, influencing which plants can grow in specific areas.
What is a keystone species?
A keystone species has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance or biomass, affecting the structure and diversity of the community.
How does predation contribute to maintaining biodiversity?
Predation helps prevent any one species from becoming too dominant, allowing for greater biodiversity in ecosystems.
How do fire regimes affect ecosystems?
Regular fires can maintain some ecosystems by clearing dead vegetation and promoting new growth, while suppressing fires can lead to a buildup of fuel and more intense fires.
What are the consequences of overfishing on marine ecosystems?
Overfishing depletes fish populations, disrupts food chains, and can lead to the collapse of marine ecosystems.
How do human activities influence selection pressures on species?
Human activities such as urbanization, pollution, and deforestation create new selection pressures, often favoring species that can adapt to human-modified environments.
How does the introduction of new predators alter an ecosystem?
New predators can decimate native species that lack defenses against them, disrupting food webs and ecosystem functions.
How does the oxygen concentration in water affect aquatic life?
Low oxygen levels in water can lead to hypoxia, which harms aquatic organisms and reduces biodiversity.
What is a trophic cascade?
A trophic cascade is a series of changes in population sizes across different trophic levels in an ecosystem, often triggered by the removal or addition of a predator.
What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients and maintaining ecosystem function.
How do human activities impact the nitrogen cycle?
Human activities, like agriculture and industrial processes, release excess nitrogen into ecosystems, leading to eutrophication and changes in species composition.
What is an example of a mutualistic relationship?
The relationship between bees and flowers is mutualistic, with bees pollinating flowers while feeding on nectar.
How do changes in water availability impact plant populations?
Limited water availability reduces plant growth and reproduction, leading to a decline in plant population sizes.
How do extreme temperatures influence the distribution of species?
Species that cannot tolerate extreme temperatures will be limited to regions with more favorable conditions.
Adaptations (continued)
How do birds use behavioral adaptations to find food?
Birds may use tools, forage in groups, or change their feeding habits depending on food availability.
What is a physiological adaptation to cold climates?
Some animals, like polar bears, have thick fur and fat layers to insulate them against cold temperatures.
How do plants adapt to drought conditions?
Some plants have deep roots or water-storing tissues to survive periods of drought.
How does the behavior of nocturnal animals help them avoid predators?
Nocturnal animals are active at night, avoiding daytime predators that rely on sight.
What is a structural adaptation in desert animals?
Desert animals often have large ears to dissipate heat or thick skin to conserve water.
What is an example of a behavioral adaptation in predators?
Predators like wolves work in packs to hunt larger prey efficiently.
How do some plants attract pollinators?
Plants use brightly colored flowers and sweet-smelling nectar to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
How do fish adapt to life in deep-sea environments?
Deep-sea fish often have specialized adaptations, such as bioluminescence or the ability to withstand high pressure.
How do mammals adapt to living in different habitats?
Mammals may have specialized fur, behavior, or metabolism to survive in varied habitats, from deserts to polar regions.
What is the role of mimicry in avoiding predation?
Mimicry allows harmless species to resemble dangerous or poisonous species, reducing their chances of being eaten.
How do plants use thorns as a defense mechanism?
Thorns deter herbivores from eating plants, reducing the likelihood of damage.
What is an example of an animal using camouflage to avoid predators?
The peppered moth uses camouflage to blend in with tree bark and avoid being seen by predators.
How do animals adapt to living in caves?
Cave-dwelling animals may lose their eyesight and develop heightened senses of hearing or touch to navigate their environment.
How do plants adapt to low-nutrient environments?
Some plants, like carnivorous plants, obtain nutrients by trapping and digesting insects.
What is an adaptation that helps animals conserve water in desert environments?
Some animals, like camels, store water in their bodies or produce concentrated urine to minimize water loss.
How do Arctic animals adapt to cold climates?
Arctic animals have insulating fur or fat layers, and some may hibernate or enter a state of reduced metabolic activity to conserve energy.
How do migratory species use environmental cues to navigate?
Migratory species use environmental cues like the position of the sun, stars, or magnetic fields to navigate during migration.
How do nocturnal animals avoid competition for food?
Nocturnal animals are active at night, avoiding competition with diurnal species that forage during the day.
How do animals use territorial behavior as an adaptation?
Territorial behavior helps animals secure resources such as food or mates, reducing competition with others of the same species.
What is a physiological adaptation to prevent water loss in plants?
Plants in dry environments may have waxy coatings on their leaves to prevent water loss through evaporation.
How do animals adapt to living in high-altitude environments?
High-altitude animals often have larger lungs or higher red blood cell counts to maximize oxygen absorption.
How do some animals adapt to low light environments?
Animals in low-light environments may have enhanced night vision or use echolocation to navigate and find food.
What is an example of a physiological adaptation to a warm climate?
Some animals sweat or pant to cool their bodies in hot environments, preventing overheating.
How do fish adapt to varying salinity in estuaries?
Some fish can adjust the salt concentration in their bodies to survive in both fresh and salty water.
What is the role of genetic variation in adaptation?
Genetic variation provides a pool of traits that may help individuals survive changing environmental conditions.
How do animals adapt to urban environments?
Urban animals may become more nocturnal, adapt to human food sources, or alter their behaviors to avoid city-related threats.
How do some species adapt to living in low-oxygen environments?
Species in low-oxygen environments may have specialized hemoglobin to carry more oxygen or have slower metabolic rates.
How does the behavior of social insects like ants help their survival?
Social insects work together to gather food, protect the colony, and care for the young, increasing the survival chances of the group.
How do sea turtles adapt to marine life?
Sea turtles have flipper-like limbs for swimming and specialized lungs for breathing air while diving underwater.
How do plants adapt to survive fires?
Some plants have fire-resistant seeds or resprout quickly after fire damage to maintain their populations.
Here’s the continuation of your flashcard-style questions and answers:
Adaptations (continued)
How do amphibians adapt to both terrestrial and aquatic environments?
Amphibians have adaptations like permeable skin for gas exchange in water and lungs for breathing air on land.
What is the role of molting in the survival of arthropods?
Molting allows arthropods to grow by shedding their exoskeleton and forming a larger one.
How do cacti adapt to desert environments?
Cacti have thick, fleshy stems for water storage, spines to reduce water loss, and deep roots to access groundwater.
What is the function of the large ears in desert animals like fennec foxes?
Large ears help dissipate heat, preventing the animal from overheating in hot desert climates.
How do barnacles adapt to living in tidal zones?
Barnacles have a hard shell to protect themselves from desiccation and predators when exposed to air during low tide.
How do the migration patterns of monarch butterflies help their survival?
Monarch butterflies migrate to warmer climates in the winter to avoid cold temperatures that could kill them.
How do deep-sea fish adapt to high-pressure environments?
Deep-sea fish have flexible bodies, specialized enzymes, and unique structural adaptations to withstand high pressure.
What is the role of camouflage in prey survival?
Camouflage helps prey avoid detection by predators, increasing their chances of survival.
How do fish in the deep ocean adapt to the lack of light?
Fish in the deep ocean often have bioluminescence or enhanced sensory adaptations to detect prey and navigate in the dark.
How do desert animals conserve energy during extreme heat?
Desert animals may become nocturnal or enter a state of torpor to reduce energy expenditure during the hottest parts of the day.
What is the purpose of a giraffe’s long neck?
A giraffe's long neck allows it to reach high vegetation, giving it access to food that other herbivores cannot reach.
How do Arctic foxes adapt to cold climates?
Arctic foxes have a thick, insulating coat and large paws that act like snowshoes to help them navigate through snow.
How do desert plants like succulents store water?
Succulent plants have fleshy tissues that store water during periods of rainfall to survive droughts.
How do hummingbirds adapt to their high-energy diet?
Hummingbirds have a high metabolism and can consume large amounts of nectar to fuel their rapid wing beats.
How do penguins adapt to cold environments?
Penguins have a layer of insulating blubber and dense feathers to keep warm in frigid temperatures.
How do giraffes use behavioral adaptations to find food?
Giraffes may roam large areas or browse tall trees to find food in environments where resources are scarce.
How do certain fish adapt to living in polluted environments?
Some fish develop resistance to toxins or change their behaviors to avoid polluted areas.
What is the function of the long legs of wading birds?
Long legs help wading birds reach food in deep water without getting wet.
How do polar bears adapt to life in the Arctic?
Polar bears have thick fur and a layer of fat for insulation, as well as large paws for walking on snow.
How do sea otters adapt to cold water temperatures?
Sea otters have thick fur that traps air close to the skin to provide insulation in cold waters.
What is an example of an animal with a physiological adaptation to escape predators?
Some species of squid can eject ink to confuse predators and escape.
How do bats adapt to a nocturnal lifestyle?
Bats use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark, compensating for their poor eyesight.
How do bats’ wings differ from bird wings?
Bats have flexible, membranous wings, while birds have feathers attached to a rigid skeletal structure.
How do kangaroos conserve water in dry environments?
Kangaroos reduce their activity during the hottest parts of the day and are able to survive on minimal water.
What is the purpose of the thick fur of animals like the musk ox?
Thick fur provides insulation, helping musk oxen stay warm in freezing temperatures.
How do elephants regulate their body temperature in hot climates?
Elephants use their large ears to radiate heat and keep cool in hot environments.
How do some plants attract animals to aid in seed dispersal?
Some plants have brightly colored fruits or produce sweet-smelling flowers to attract animals that will disperse their seeds.
What is an example of an animal that uses social behavior for protection?
Meerkats live in groups to provide protection against predators, with individuals taking turns as lookouts.
How do desert reptiles like lizards avoid overheating?
Desert reptiles are often active during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening, to avoid extreme heat.
How do some species of fish adapt to living in both fresh and saltwater?
These fish can adjust the salinity levels in their bodies to survive in varying salt concentrations.
Sure! Below are additional flashcard-style questions covering the topics that were missed:
Population Dynamics
What is an ecological niche?
An ecological niche refers to the role and space an organism occupies in an ecosystem, including how it gets its energy and interacts with other organisms.
How does predation affect prey populations?
Predation reduces the population of prey by removing individuals, which can impact the prey species’ abundance and distribution.
What is the impact of competition on species in an ecosystem?
Competition between species for resources such as food, water, and shelter can limit the population size and survival of each species.
How does symbiosis affect organisms in a community?
Symbiotic relationships can benefit, harm, or have no effect on the organisms involved. Examples include mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.
How does disease impact populations in ecosystems?
Disease can decrease the population size by reducing the survival rate of individuals within a species.
What effect does invasive species have on native species in an ecosystem?
Invasive species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species, leading to declines or extinction in native populations.
How can the availability of resources affect population dynamics?
When resources like food and shelter are abundant, populations can increase. When resources are scarce, populations may decrease.
How do abiotic factors like temperature and light affect species distributions?
Temperature and light influence where species can survive, as each species has specific environmental requirements for growth and reproduction.
What are the consequences of overpopulation for an ecosystem?
Overpopulation can lead to resource depletion, habitat destruction, and decreased species diversity due to overcrowding and competition.
How do human activities impact population dynamics in ecosystems?
Human activities, like deforestation, urbanization, and pollution, can alter habitats, decrease biodiversity, and disrupt population dynamics.
Darwin's Theory of Evolution
What evidence did Charles Darwin collect to support his theory of natural selection?
Darwin observed variations in species, like the finches in the Galapagos Islands, and how these variations contributed to survival and reproduction.
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing those traits to offspring.
How do Darwin’s finches support the theory of evolution?
Darwin's finches showed that different species evolved from a common ancestor, with variations in beak size and shape adapted to different food sources on each island.
How does genetic variation play a role in natural selection?
Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection, allowing some individuals to possess traits that make them more suited to the environment.
What is the role of adaptation in the survival of a species?
Adaptations are traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in a particular environment.
How does the process of speciation occur?
Speciation occurs when populations of a species become reproductively isolated and diverge genetically over time due to different selection pressures, leading to the formation of new species.
What is survival of the fittest?
"Survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
What are some examples of artificial selection?
Artificial selection involves humans selecting desirable traits in organisms, such as breeding dogs for specific characteristics or cultivating crops with higher yields.
Selection Pressures on Organisms
How do cane toads impact native Australian wildlife?
Cane toads are toxic to many predators, leading to a decrease in native predator populations that rely on them for food.
How has the distribution of prickly pear cactus in Australia been influenced by biotic and abiotic factors?
Prickly pear spread rapidly in Australia due to a lack of natural predators, and its growth was further influenced by climate conditions and the absence of significant herbivores.
What are the effects of predation pressure on prey populations?
Predation pressure can reduce prey populations, but it also leads to evolutionary changes in prey species, such as the development of better defenses or evasive behaviors.
How do human-induced changes to the environment create selection pressures?
Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change create new selection pressures by altering the environment and forcing species to adapt or face extinction.
How do environmental pollutants act as selection pressures?
Pollutants like pesticides can create selection pressures by killing sensitive individuals, leaving behind those that are resistant or tolerant to the chemicals.
What role does climate change play in selection pressures on species?
Climate change can alter temperature, weather patterns, and food availability, causing species to adapt, migrate, or face extinction.
How can invasive species create new selection pressures in ecosystems?
Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, introduce diseases, or alter the food web, creating new challenges for native organisms.
How do changes in resource availability affect selection pressures?
A shortage of resources like food or nesting sites can create selection pressures that favor individuals capable of finding and utilizing resources more efficiently.
What is the impact of disease as a selection pressure?
Disease can reduce population size and create selection pressures favoring individuals with genetic resistance or behaviors that minimize exposure to pathogens.
How do selection pressures lead to evolutionary changes in populations over time?
Over many generations, selection pressures favor individuals with beneficial traits, leading to changes in the genetic makeup of a population, such as the emergence of new traits or behaviors.
What are the effects of predation and competition as selection pressures on species?
Predation can favor individuals with better defense mechanisms, while competition can lead to the evolution of traits that help individuals compete for limited resources.