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1. The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and animals found in ecosystems are
Aquatic
Terrestrial
High
Low
gas or a liquid)
Temperature Variation
Pressure Variation
Availability of Gases
Oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are
important gases for living organisms.
Availability of Water
Water (H2O) is vital for the survival of all
organisms.
Light Penetration
Availability of Shelter
Availability of Space
1.2 Identify factors determining distribution and abundance of a species in each environment.
Biotic:
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Abiotic:
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Amount of light
Strength of natural forces (tides, currents, wind, rain, waves etc)
Temperature
Water (pH, salinity, availability)
Oxygen availability
Respiration is the process by which cells obtain energy. In this process, organic molecules (sugars)
are broken down to produce carbon dioxide and water and energy is released (in form ATP).
1.4 Identify uses of energy by organisms.
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1.5 Identify the general equation for aerobic cellular respiration and outline this as a summary of
biochemical reactions.
Oxygen + Sugars (glucose)
2.2 Outline factors that affect numbers in predator and prey populations in the area studied.
Population size of an organism can also be affected by the population of another organism. If there
are more predators than prey, the prey population will be wiped out and eventually the predator
population also due to insufficient food.
If predators are absent, the prey population will increase exponentially but eventually crash due to
limited food resources.
The numbers of predators and prey in an ecosystem depend on a number of factors:
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Size of ecosystem
Availability of preys food determines number of prey present
Reproductive cycles (large number of prey may be followed by increase in predators)
Diseases and pathogens present
Migration
Bacteria and fungi secrete digestive enzymes which break down detritus (dead organic matter) into
soluble organic molecules such as sugars and eventually into organic molecules such as carbon
dioxide and nitrogen.
2.5 Explain trophic interactions between organisms in an ecosystem using food chains, food
webs and pyramids of biomass and energy.
Trophic interactions (feeding relationships) in an ecosystem can be explained using food chains and
webs and biomass pyramids. The feeding level of an organism is its trophic level. The role that on
organism plays is called its niche (eg. Carnivore)
Food chain: represent one flow of energy from one organism to another. Some energy is lost as heat
at each step. Original source of energy is sun. Food chains always begin with producer organism
Food web: represents a more complex and complete energy flow. Changes to numbers of organisms
in one part may of the web may affect other organisms in the web.
Note: the direction of the arrow used in food chains/webs means is eaten by
Biomass pyramid:
Biomass is the measure of the mass of all organisms at a particular trophic level. A biomass pyramid
shows the total weight (biomass) of organisms at each level for a particular habitat
Increasing trophic
levels; biomass
decreases
Decomposers and detritivores do not fit readily into one trophic level.
2.6 Define the term adaptation and discuss the problem associated with inferring characteristics
of organisms as adaptations for living in a particular habitat.
An adaptation is a feature of an organism that makes it well suited to its environment. Adaptations
are inherited characteristics, a result of natural selection. They help an organism to survive and
reproduce. An adaption may be either:
The problem associated with inferring characteristics of organisms as adaptation is that human
observations come from the human perspective. We can only infer or deuce that a characteristic is
an adaptation, we may not always be correct.
2.7 Identify some adaptations of living things to factors in their environment.
In order for an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, they must have
features which make them well suited to that environment.
Structural: shape and size of body or structures (eg. Kangaroos forlegs have dense network of blood
vessels close to surface)
Physiological: the way the organisms structural features function (eg. The dense network of blood
vessels allow increased blood flow to the area during heat stress, helps cool down)
Behavioural: how an organism responds to its environment, how it behaves. (eg. The kangaroo licks
its forelegs to cool down)
2.8 Identify and describe in detail adaptations of a plant and an animal from the local ecosystem
Mangroves
Structural: They have stilt roots which lift the plant out of water. They are anchored by complex root
systems to protect from the shifting mudflat environment.
Physiological: Pneumatophores (aerial roots) push upwards through mud, their tips (lenticels) have
pores through which gaseous exchange can occur
Behavioural: Mangroves have flowers, following fertilisation and pollitation, fruits containing one
seed develop. Due to the harsh environment of the mudflats, the seeds begin to germinate before
they drop. Also, the leaves can turn away from the sun to prevent water loss due to over heating.
Kangaroos
Structural: Has well-muscled large hind legs, large tail is used as counterweight when hopping and to
help stay upright. Has large molars for grazing.
Physiological: Have lungs as internal respiratory surface. Have very short gestation period. Have
binocular vision.
Behavioural: Sweat only during exercise to reduce water loss. Seek shade and shelter to protect
from heat. Lick forearms where blood vessels run close to surface to cool down, the evaporating
saliva creates a cooling effect.
2.9 Describe and explain the short-term and long-term consequences on the ecosystem of
species competing for resources.
Competiton occurs when members of the same or different species need the same limited resource.
Competition occurs mostly in organisms with similar niches.
Short term effects: availability of resources will decrease, then the growth of the population may
slow or decrease. If population decreases there will be less pressure on available resources.
Long term effects:
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Evolution; two competing species may minimise competition by evolving under strong
selection pressure to occupy different niches.