Adaptation of organisms
Ecological niche: Environmental conditions
role of organisms within its
habitat
what it feeds on
what feeds on it
competition with other organisms
Temperature water and other
requirements
Eg. Fox-carnivore
Hunts at right
Competes with other predators
Is not predated
Human activity - major threat
Habitat-woodland hedge
Examples of adaptations in xerophytes
(plants living in dry habitats)
close stomata when little water is
available or Behavioural adaptation Eg. Attracting a mate
Some only open at night when Helps to survive and reproduce
transpirational water loss is reduced
Sunken stomata and stomatal to trap
Morphological/anatomical Eg. Spine on cactus t
layer of moist air to reduce water
Physical feature enhancing survival prevent grazing
potential gradient
Some have cells that store water Physiological/biochemical Eg ability to respire
when it is readily available, for use Appropriate functioning of organism anaerobically
in times of water shortage eg: or cellular processes
succulent stems/leaves
, 🐟
Abiotic
Climatic factors
Environmental conditions may vary over a short distance resulting in zonation (graduation of environmental
conditions) eg as seen on a rocky shore, seaweed found on lower shone (nearest water) are submerged in
water at all times, whilst the seaweed that is more resistant to exposure is found on upper shore
Temperature range
As temperatures vary, species are adapted to live within a temperature range
For different species = range in temperature is seasonal or diurnal (hottest day → coldest night)
Low temperature = ice crystals form within cells = physical disruption
High temperatures = denatured enzymes
Fluctuation in temperature → more extreme in terrestrial habitats than aquatic ones
High heat capacity of water buffers temperature change
Light intensity - ultimate source of energy for
Availability of water - distribution of terrestrial ecosystems
organisms More light = faster rate of photosynthesis = faster
Adaptations to conserve water - waxy cuticle rate of growth
-Mosses have no water proofing so confined to Some species adapted to low light
moist / humid environments -Bluebells beneath leaf canopy
-Aquatic habitats - problems due to osmotic -cave dwelling animals have good sense of sme
gain (perch live exclusively in freshwater and are Some plants require lots of light some low light
adapted to reduce osmotic gain) Plants grow near shore where light can penetrate
- mammals have waterproof skin + gas through shallow or float in deep water
exchange surface that lies deep within the body so
protected by loss of water by evaporation Light quality- only certain wavelengths can be used
for photosynthesis
hydrophytes - adapted to living in water Blue light penetrates water to greater depth- red
Xerophytes - adapted to living with little water light is absorbed
(cactus, sand dunes) Red seaweed possesses additional pigments to
absorb blue at the end of the spectrum
So red algae can live at deeper depths than others
Day length- longer day= more light for
photosynthesis = greater growth
Correlation between day length and temperature
Length of day crucial for species activity during
day/night
Ie nocturnal animals short feeding window
Ecological niche: Environmental conditions
role of organisms within its
habitat
what it feeds on
what feeds on it
competition with other organisms
Temperature water and other
requirements
Eg. Fox-carnivore
Hunts at right
Competes with other predators
Is not predated
Human activity - major threat
Habitat-woodland hedge
Examples of adaptations in xerophytes
(plants living in dry habitats)
close stomata when little water is
available or Behavioural adaptation Eg. Attracting a mate
Some only open at night when Helps to survive and reproduce
transpirational water loss is reduced
Sunken stomata and stomatal to trap
Morphological/anatomical Eg. Spine on cactus t
layer of moist air to reduce water
Physical feature enhancing survival prevent grazing
potential gradient
Some have cells that store water Physiological/biochemical Eg ability to respire
when it is readily available, for use Appropriate functioning of organism anaerobically
in times of water shortage eg: or cellular processes
succulent stems/leaves
, 🐟
Abiotic
Climatic factors
Environmental conditions may vary over a short distance resulting in zonation (graduation of environmental
conditions) eg as seen on a rocky shore, seaweed found on lower shone (nearest water) are submerged in
water at all times, whilst the seaweed that is more resistant to exposure is found on upper shore
Temperature range
As temperatures vary, species are adapted to live within a temperature range
For different species = range in temperature is seasonal or diurnal (hottest day → coldest night)
Low temperature = ice crystals form within cells = physical disruption
High temperatures = denatured enzymes
Fluctuation in temperature → more extreme in terrestrial habitats than aquatic ones
High heat capacity of water buffers temperature change
Light intensity - ultimate source of energy for
Availability of water - distribution of terrestrial ecosystems
organisms More light = faster rate of photosynthesis = faster
Adaptations to conserve water - waxy cuticle rate of growth
-Mosses have no water proofing so confined to Some species adapted to low light
moist / humid environments -Bluebells beneath leaf canopy
-Aquatic habitats - problems due to osmotic -cave dwelling animals have good sense of sme
gain (perch live exclusively in freshwater and are Some plants require lots of light some low light
adapted to reduce osmotic gain) Plants grow near shore where light can penetrate
- mammals have waterproof skin + gas through shallow or float in deep water
exchange surface that lies deep within the body so
protected by loss of water by evaporation Light quality- only certain wavelengths can be used
for photosynthesis
hydrophytes - adapted to living in water Blue light penetrates water to greater depth- red
Xerophytes - adapted to living with little water light is absorbed
(cactus, sand dunes) Red seaweed possesses additional pigments to
absorb blue at the end of the spectrum
So red algae can live at deeper depths than others
Day length- longer day= more light for
photosynthesis = greater growth
Correlation between day length and temperature
Length of day crucial for species activity during
day/night
Ie nocturnal animals short feeding window
