B1.4 Adaptations

B1.4 Competition

There is sometimes competition between organisms within a community for materials that are in limited supply. 

Competition between plants

• Water 
• Light
• Space
• Nutrients/mineral salts from soil

Competition between animals

• Food
• Mates
• Territory
  • Space for feeding
  • for reproduction
  • for rearing young

Deterring Predators

In order to deter predators, some organisms have special features:

• Warning colours on animals
  • Advertises that they are poisonous
• Shapes and patterns on animals
  • e.g. eyespots on owl butterfly or peacock
  • makes them look more frightening 
• Poisonous plants
• Big thorns on plants
• Barbs, spines

B1.4.1 Adaptations

Adaptation- a feature of an organism that allows it to survive the conditions of their habitat

Arid environments- hot and dry

Extremophiles - Organisms that have adaptations so they can tolerate very extreme environments. (Where most organisms would die) Usually microorganisms (e.g. Bacteria produce special enzymes to withstand extreme conditions) 

Extreme environments- Extreme conditions:

• high levels of salt (a salt marsh)
• high temperatures (volcanic hot springs)
• high pressures (the deep ocean)

Different Adaptations - Specific features

Animals in the Arctic (The Polar Bear)

• Small head and ears
  • Reduced surface area
  • Less heat loss to air
• White fur
  • Camouflage- Good for both predators and prey
  • Reduces heat radiated from the body
• Large, flat feet
  • Better grip on ice
  • Weight spread over a larger area
    • Stop sinking into snow
• Thick fur
  • Insulates
  • Reduces rate of heat loss
• Fat
  • Insulates
  • Reduces rate of heat loss
  • Food reserve in the Arctic winter
• Black skin
  • Absorbs heat
• Greasy coat
  • Sheds water after swimming
• Compact body shape
• • Streamlined for swimming

Plants in the Arctic 

• Grow very close to the ground and close togehter
  • Resist the effects of cold weather
  • Avoid damage by the wind
• Have small leaves 
  • Conserve water
• Able to carry out photosynthesis in extreme cold

Animals in arid environments (The camel)

• Hump of fat
  • Food store
    • Desert food is scarce
  • Releases water as a result of respiration
• Little body fat
  • Heat is easily lost from the skin capillaries
• Thin fur on underside…