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44 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Name the order of species |
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species |
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What are the two ways of classifying organisms? |
Artificial system: based on one or two characteristics Natural system: based on evolutionary relationships
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How do we know if organisms are of the same species? |
They interbreed to produce fertile offspring |
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How does the binomial system work? |
Genus then species- Genus starts with a capital and species lower case |
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Why is it sometimes difficult to put a species into just one category? |
Because they can have traits from more than one |
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Why aren't mules classed as a species? |
They don't produce fertile offspring |
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What is the different between a pyramid of biomass and a pyramid of numbers? |
Pyramid of numbers can be..not...pyramids...because they measure in number (eg one oak tree, 1000s of bugs, 10 birds) but pyramids of biomass measure dry mass and will most always be a triangular shape. |
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Why are pyramids of biomass flawed when representing trophic levels, etc? |
-Some organisms feed off others from other levels -You have to drain the organism of all liquid which kills it
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How is energy lost between trophic levels? |
-Respiration -Egestion -Excretion |
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Why is material lost at each stage of the food chain not actually wasted? |
It is used by decomposers that can start another food chain |
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How do we calculate efficiency? |
energy used for growth ---------------------------------- = efficiency energy input |
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What are some ways that carbon is released into the air? |
-Plants and animals respiring -Soil bacteria and fungi acting as decomposers -the burning of fossil fuels |
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How is carbon trapped in limestone released back into the air? |
Through volcanic eruptions or weathering |
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What do nitrifying bacteria do and where are they found? |
Convert the ammonia into nitrates |
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What do decomposers in soil do? |
They are bacteria and fungi that convert proteins and urea into ammonia |
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What do denitrifying bacteria do? |
Covert nitrates into nitrogen gas |
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What do nitrogen-fixing bacteria do? |
Fix nitrogen gas- also done by lightning. They are found in the root nodules or soil. |
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What do decomposers need to function properly? |
Oxygen and a suitable pH That's why decay will be slower in waterlogged areas with little oxygen or very acidic conditions |
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What is an ecological niche? |
The habitat and organism lives in and its role in the habitat |
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Describe the two types of competition |
Interspecific is between organisms of different species Intraspecific is between organisms of the same species and is thus more likely bc they need the same kind of things |
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Explain why there is cyclical links between predator and prey numbers |
Lots of prey= well fed predators who reproduce More predators= less prey bc they all eat it They starve and numbers drop= no eating prey Prey numbers increase= back to start! |
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What is a parasite and what does it do? |
Feeds and lives off another organism to that organism's detriment. An example is fleas on animals, or tapeworms.
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What is it called when both organisms benefit from a relationship? Give an example. |
Mutualism. Both benefit from this arrangement. An example is insects and flowers as the insects spread the pollen and in return get nectar. |
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Explain the mutualism in pea plants. |
The pea plant's root nodules are home to nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria turn nitrogen into chemicals and give some to the pea plants; the pea plant gives the bacteria some sugars that have been produced by photosynthesis. |
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How are some creatures adapted to the cold |
Insulation- thick fur traps air or fat layer under skin. Large but with small ears to reduce surface area to volume ratio. Migration or hibernation Antifreeze proteins |
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What blood system to penguins have and how does it work? |
Counter-current. Warm blood entering flippers warms up the cold blood leaving to stop it cooling the body. |
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What are some adaptations a camel has? |
Small body, large ears larger surface area to volume ratio for more heat loss. Large feet so as not to sink in the sand Concentrated urine
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How is a cactus adapted? |
Spines not leaves for less water loss Deep roots to store water in stems |
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What are specialists and generalists? |
Specialists live very well in one habitat (polar bear) Generalists can live in several (rats) |
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Why is natural selection hard to study? |
It takes place over thousands of years |
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Explain Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. |
If animals and plants are better suited to their environment, they are more likely to survive and reproduce. He didn't know exactly how genes were passed on. |
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Why might animals be prevented from mating? |
Geographical isolation or behavioural isolation |
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Why did people not accept Darwin's theory at first? |
- Not enough evidence - Religion |
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Why is Darwin's theory now more accepted? |
- Explains a lot of observations - Discussed and tested widely |
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Explain Jean Baptiste de Lamarck's theory of acquired characteristics. |
Giraffes acquired long necks to feed and just passed it on |
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What is a carbon footprint? |
The amount of pollution caused by a person or organisation in a certain amount of time |
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Name some indicator species and how they show pollution levels |
Mayfly lava can only live in clean water Waterlouse, bloodworm and mussels can live in polluted water Lichen only grows on trees in clean air |
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Adv and disadv of using indicator species? |
ADV -cheap -no equipment to go wrong/break -monitors over long time periods DIS -Tech is more accurate |
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Why is conservation good? |
-Protect our food supply -Prevent damage to foodchains -Protect animals/plants we use in medicine -Protect areas people visit or study
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What factors must be taken into account when trying to conserve a species? |
-Size of the population (if there'll be enough genetic variation to survive) - Number of suitable habitats - How much competition there is from other species (intraspecific) |
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Name some methods of conservation |
Captive breeding programme Quotas Replanting trees |
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Why is it difficult to enforce whaling laws? |
The ocean is a big place to police. |
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What do we study about whales when they're alive VS dead? |
Alive: Migration patterns and communication methods Dead: How they survive at extreme depths |
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What is sustainable development? |
Taking enough resources to survive whilst leaving enough for the future |