How have desert animals adapted?
They adapt to save water and keep cool. They have a large surface area compared to volume which lets animals lose more body heat, which stops them from over heating. They also produce less concentrated urine to lose less water and produce very little sweat.
How are desert animals good in hot conditions?
They have very thin layers of body fat and a thin coat to help them lose body heat (camels keep nearly all fat in their humps)
What is the benefit of camouflage?
Animals can avoid predators by hiding in the sand/snow or can sneak up on prey by blending in
How have artic animals adapted?
They adapt to reduce heat loss. Animals that live in cold temperatures have a small surface area to volume ratio. They have a compact whale to keep surface area to a minimum, reducing heat loss. They are well insulated (blubber) which also acts as an energy store when food is scarce. Thick hairy coats keep body heat in and greasy fur sheds water (prevents cooling due to evaporation)
How have desert plants adapted?
They have a small surface area to volume ratio. Cacti have spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss. They also have a small surface area compared to their size which reduces water loss. A cactus also stories water in its thick stem.
How does a plant (cactus) maximise water absorption?
Some cacti have shallow but extensive roots to absorb water quickly over a large area. Others have deep roots to access under group water
How have plants and animals adapted to deter predators?
- Some plants and animals have armour (thorns, sharp spines, shells) to prevent predators from getting to them
- Others produce poisons
- Some have warning colours to scare off predators
How do microorganisms adapt?
Some microorganisms are known as extremophiles and adapt to very hot conditions or very salty conditions
What do organisms compete for?
- light, space, nutrients, minerals (plants)
- space, food, water, mates (animals)
How does the environment change due to living factors?
- A change in the occurrence of infectious diseases
- The change in the number of predators
- Change in the number of prey and availability of food sources
- Change in number or type of competitors
How has the environment changed due to non living factors?
- Change in the average temperature
- Change in average rainfall
- Change in the level of air pollution
How do environmental changes affect populations?
- Population size increases
- Population size decreases
- Population distribution changes
What are indicator species?
Organisms that are sensitive to changes in their environments and can be studied to see the effects of human activities
How can lichen measure environmental change?
Lichen can monitor air pollution as they are sensitive to sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. If the air is clean lots of lichen will be present
How can bacteria population measure environmental change?
If raw sewage is released into a river, the bacterial population in the water will increase and uses up the oxygen
How can invertebrate species show environmental change?
Rat tailed maggots and sludgeworms have adapted to life in polluted areas and can indicate a very high level of water pollution
State some non living indicators of environmental change
- satellites, measure the temp. Of sea surface and the levels of snow on earth
- automatic weather stations, tell us atmospheric temperature at various locations, can also measure rainfall to find out the average rainfall per year
