variety of life, adaptation and competition wjec biology module 1

VARIETY OF LIFE, ADAPTATION AND

COMPETITION

WJEC BiologyModule 1

Variety of Life – Pupil Activity

Watch the first 25 minutes of David Attenborough’s “Life” Challenges of life

Learning outcomes

understand that living organisms show a range of sizes, features and complexity.

Appreciate the broad descriptive grouping into plants – non-flowering and flowering; animals - invertebrates and vertebrates; microorganisms – fungi, bacteria, algae.

Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms

How do we decide if something is living or non living?

Variety of Life

What is Life?

Aliens land on Earth and watch things carefully to tell whether they are alive or

not. Would an alien think this car is alive?

Why aren’t fluffy toys alive?

Fluffy toys often look like real animals

Variety of Life

There are over 30 million different kinds of living organisms on the planet.

These living organisms show a range of Sizes▪ Microscopic bacteria blue whale

Features Complexity▪ Single celled organisms Mammals

All living organisms carry out life processes

Life Processes

If something is alive it will carry out all of the seven life processes. Movement Respiration Sensitivity Growth Reproduction Excretion Nutrition

Characteristics of Living Things

M is for movement Animals move to find food, shelter or a

mate. Plants do not move in the same way as

animals but move towards sunlight.


R is for reproduction Animals lay eggs or have babies. Seeds from plants grow into new plants.


S is for sensitivity. Animals find their way using their sense

organs such as the eyes or skin. Plants don’t have sense organs but do

respond to gravity and light.


G is for growth Growth is an increase in size Animals stop growing when they reach

adult size. Plants grow throughout their lives.


R is for respiration Respiration is the release of energy from

food. This usually needs oxygen.


E is for excretion All living things produce waste. The removal of this waste is called

excretion. Animals excrete through their lungs,

kidneys and skin. Plants shed their leaves in autumn


N is for nutrition All living things need food for energy,

growth and repair. Animals have to find their own food and

eat plants and other animals. Plants make their own food by the

process of photosynthesis.

Grouping Living organismsThe similarities and differences that

exist between organisms allow us to put them into groups

Broad groups include Animals▪ Vertebrates and invertebrates

Plants▪ Flowering plants and non flowering plants

Microorganisms▪ Bacteria, fungi and algae

know that organisms which have similar features and characteristics can be classified together in a logical way.

Understand the need for a scientific system for identification and the need for scientific as opposed to 'common' names.

Know that international committees decide on scientific names.

Learning Objectives

Classification Game

In groups move around the classroom looking at the photographs Identify the organisms Classify them correctly under the correct

headings

There will be a reward for the highest scoring group sheet.

Variation = differences between organisms

This variety allows Biologist’s to classify organisms into groups

Each of these groups contain organisms which have certain features in common

The current classification system splits all organisms into 5 Kingdoms

Bacteria Very small and single-celled, no nucleus

Protoctists Single celled, with a nucleus

Fungi Cell walls contain chitin, with a nucleus

Plants Multicellular organisms Can make food through photosynthesis

Animals Multicellular Have to obtain food

Five Kingdom Classification

KingdomPhylumClassOrderFamilyGenusspecies

Animal Kingdom

The animal kingdom is divided into two groups▪ Vertebrates ▪ Animals with a backbone

▪ Invertebrates▪ Animals without a backbone

Classification of Vertebrates

Phylum Chordata – the vertebrates Split into five classes▪ Mammals▪ Fish▪ Birds▪ Reptiles▪ Amphibians

Each class has distinctive features

mammals

Reptiles

Amphibians

Examples for classification

KingdomAnimal AnimalPhylum Vertebrate VertebrateClass Mammals MammalsOrder Carnivore CarnivoreFamily Felicidae FelicidaeGenus Panthera

PantheraSpecies Leo tigris

LION TIGER

Prep:

Choose an animal and a plant Write out how that organism is classified E.g. Lion▪ Kingdom Animal▪ Phylum Vertebrate▪ Class Mammals▪ Order Carnivore▪ Family Felicidae▪ Genus Panthera▪ Species Leo

Classification - Naming

The basic unit of classification is the species. A species is a group of organisms that

can breed together to produce fertile offspring.

Naming Species In the Binomial system organisms are identified

by two names▪ Genus and species▪ Genus always has a capital letter▪ Always written in italics or underlined▪ It is in Latin▪ This allows it to be understood all over the world as the

scientific name is universal

Examples▪ Canis lupus – the wolf▪ Panthera leo – the lion

Know that recently the 3 Domain classification has been preferred to the 5 Kingdom classification.

Know that morphological features or DNA analysis can be used and as more information becomes available changes are made to the classification.

5 Kingdom vs 3 Domain

5 Kingdoms 3 Domains

Plant

EukaryaAnimal

Fungi

Protoctists

Prokaryota(Monera)

Archaea

Bacteria

Kingdom vs Domain

There are two types of organism Eukaryotes – cells contain a nucleus Prokaryotes – cells do not contain a

nucleus In the 5 Kingdom classification

Eukaryotes are split into four Kingdoms – plants, animals, fungi and protoctists

Prokaryotes are all grouped together into one Kingdom

Recent DNA evidence suggests that the prokaryotes can be split into two distinct groups Archaea which are more closely linked with the

Eukarya Bacteria – have a more ancient ancestor

Evidence for classification

To be able to identify special adaptive features of animals

To appreciate how adaptations allow an animal to survive in hostile environments

To recognise the adaptations of plants for different environments

Adaptations

Living things adapt to their environment. Watch the video clip, and then try to fill in the

table explaining how the creature is adapted to it’s environment.

Animal

Adaptation How this helps them survive

Adaptations in different animals

Look at the animals on the worksheet, for each one try to give where it lives and an example of how it is adapted for survival in its environment.

Adaptations

Adaptations

You need to be able to: Explain how animals are adapted for survival in

arctic and desert environments in terms of:▪ Body size and surface area▪ Thickness of insulating coat▪ Amount of body fat▪ Camouflage

Explain how plants are adapted to survive in arid conditions

Suggest how organisms are adapted to the conditions in which they live.

Pupil Activity

Surviving in different environments. Read all information carefully Answer questions 3 - 9

Adaptations to seasonal changes

Hibernation – animals build up a fat layer and sleep through the worst of the winter months.

Migration – animals move off to warmer climes.

Insulation – many animals grow thicker fur.

Leaf sheddingFood storing

An adaptation is a feature that allows an organism to survive in the environment in which it lives.

Examples Polar bears and Arctic foxes are adapted

to survive in the Arctic A camel and the Fennec fox are adapted

to live in hot arid (desert) conditions

White fur Small head

and ears

Compact body shape

Thick layer of fur

Thick layer of

fat

Adaptations – polar bear

Adaptation Survival Advantage

A small head and ears

Smaller surface area to reduce heat loss

Compact body shape

Smaller surface area to volume ratio to reduce heat loss

Thick layer of fur Traps air, which is a good insulator

Thick layer of fatInsulates against heat lossActs as a food reserve during hibernation

White furCamouflageReduce heat radiated from the body

For each of the adaptations labelled on the polar bear

Explain how each adaptation helps the animal survive in the conditions where it lives

Adaptation polar bear

Survival Advantage

White fur Radiates less heat energy – prevent heat loss

Long legs and neck

Thin hair on top of body

No hair on underside of body

Nostrils which can close

Two rows of eyelashes

Fatty hump

Sandy colouring

Little body fat

Camel – designed for desert conditions

Big flat feet stop it sinking into the sand.

Short hair underneath the camel lets heat

escape.

Coarse wool on top of its body protects the camel from the sun.

A camel’s hump is a fat store. It can break down fat to release water.

A camel can drink large amounts of water.

Its mouth is tough so that it can eat thorny plants like cacti.

For each of the adaptations labelled on the camel

Explain how each adaptation helps the animal survive in the conditions where it lives

Adaptation Camel

Survival Advantage

Adaptations - Camel

Adaptation Survival AdvantageFatty hump Metabolic source of water

Nostrils which can closeClose for protection during sandstorms

Long legs and neck Increase surface area for heat loss

Thin hair on top of body Allow heat loss

Sandy colouring Camouflage from predators

Two rows of eyelashes Prevent sand from entering the eyes

No hair on underside of body

Makes heat loss easier

Little body fatIncrease heat loss from skin capillaries

Short stem

Fleshy green leaves

Waxy, shiny outer covering to the leaves

Long roots

Adaptations to water lossa cactus in the desert

Leaves reduced to spines – to reduce water loss through stoma

Swollen stem stores water

Wide spread root systems to increase surface area for absorption.

For each of the adaptations labelled on the house leek Explain how each adaptation helps plant

survive conditions on a rocky outcrop.

Adaptation Survival Advantage

Adaptations – House leekAdaptation Survival advantage

ARCTIC FOX FENNEC FOX

Homework - Prep

To draw labelled diagrams of a plant or animal, describing the adaptation and detailing the survival advantage of each adaptation.

extreme environments

Environmental extremes for small plants and animals on the Antarctic Peninsula

Write out a list of environmental conditions you think that an organism living on the Antarctic peninsula

Antarctic conditions

Extreme cold in the winter Fairly mild summers (up to 45 °F), with rock and

moss surface temperatures of up to 70 °F Very short growing season each year for the

plants that provide food for small organisms Intense ultraviolet light due to the hole in the

ozone layer High winds on small islands Extreme dryness Exposure to high acidity, due to immersion in

penguin guano (waste) during summer breeding season

Possible immersion in both salt and freshwater due to weather and tides in the summer

Prep

Draw a labelled diagram of an animal or plant adapted to survive on the Antarctic peninsula. This organism can be real or fictitious

Terrestrial Organisms of the Antarctic Peninsula and their adaptations

To know that the distribution and number of organisms in a habitat can be explained in terms of adaptation, competition, predation and pollution

Factors affecting population size

Populations

A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular habitat at the same time.

The number of individuals present in the population will depend on how they can interact with two types of factor.

Populations

Biotic (living) food, disease, predation, mates and

competitionAbiotic (non living)

water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature and light intensity

Populations

Populations need things called resources to grow.

Organisms that are better suited (adapted) to compete are more likely to survive and have offspring

Competition

Competition between members of the same species▪ Organisms produce more offspring than can

survive▪ This leads to competition▪ If there is plenty of food the population is

likely to increase, if food is depleted it is likely that population size will decrease

Gannets

Gannets are sea birds that catch fish by diving head first into the water.

They live and breed on remote cliffs

VS

Gannet Colony

Gannet Colonies

Gannets compete for space on the rocks The nests are distributed “pecking

distance” apartPlenty of fish

more young gannets are raised Increase competition for nesting sites in

future years

Competition

Competition between members of different species Several species might rely on the same

food source or space▪ E.g. primroses flower early in the year to

avoid competition for light. They also produce leaves, flowers and seeds before the tree leaves open and put them into shade

VS

Intraspecific competition

Interspecific Competition

Factors affecting population size

Predation will limit the prey population.

Disease can spread quickly through large populations.

Predator-prey relationships Animals that kill and eat other animals

are called predators. The animals that they eat are called prey.

Predators are usually bigger and fewer in number than their prey. List five things that make a good predator: List five ways prey have adapted escape

from predators:

Predator – Prey Relationship

List what is happening in each of the stages 1 – 5 on the predator prey graph.

1. The prey has plenty of food. It breeds and increases in number.

2. The increase in prey means that there is more food for the predator. So the predator breeds and increases in number.

3. There are now lots of predators so more prey will be eaten. The number of prey goes down.

Predator prey graph

4. There are now less prey for the predator to feed on. Food will be scarce and many predators starve.

5. With fewer predators, more prey survive to breed. The prey numbers increase

The cycle continues…

Indicators of Pollution

WJEC Module 1Adaptation and Competition

Learning outcomes

Indicators of Pollution

Living organisms can be used as indicators of pollution The presence or absence of particular

organisms can indicate the level of pollution in an area.

These are called Indicator Species

Pollution Indicators Species

Freshwater invertebrates can be used as indicators of freshwater pollution

Lichens can be used as indicators of air pollution due to their sensitivity to sulfur dioxide.

Freshwater pollution

Indicator Species Animals found in

water with low levels of oxygen▪ Sludge worm▪ Rat-tailed maggot▪ Blood worm

Animals found in water with high levels of oxygen▪ Mayfly nymph▪ Stonefly nymph▪ shrimp

Water Oxygenation

What could cause the oxygen concentration in a river to decrease?

Yup, that’s right SEWAGE or organic pollution

Stages in freshwater pollution Organic waste (sewage) provides food

for bacteria, which allows them to grow and reproduce

Bacteria use up the oxygen in the water when they respire

There is less oxygen for other organisms such as fish and insects.

Animals such as fish, stonefly nymphs and shrimps decrease in number.

sewageDescribe the trends shown in the graph below.

Freshwater Pollution – sewage

As the concentration of sewage pollution rises, the population of bacteria rises.

This is because the bacteria feed off the sewage which provides raw materials and energy for growth and reproduction.

At the same time the concentration of oxygen falls.

This is because the bacteria use up the oxygen in respiration as they break down the organic waste in the sewage.

Animals such as fish and stonefly nymphs decrease in number.

Quick Test – Freshwater Pollution

1. What effect does domestic sewage have on the number of bacteria in a river?

2. How do the bacteria numbers affect the level of dissolved oxygen in the water?

3. How does the reduction in oxygen level affect the numbers of fish and invertebrate numbers in the river?

4. What name is given to an organism whose presence or absence gives information about the level of pollution in a river?

5. Name two organisms that can live in water where the oxygen level is low.

6. Name two organisms that can only live in water that is unpolluted.

Learning Outcome

To explain how lichens can be used to indicate air pollution

To analyse data on air pollution and draw conclusions

Pollution Indicators

The presence or absence of particular organisms can indicate the level of pollution in an area.

These are called Indicator Species

Air Pollution Indicators

Lichens Different types of lichen have different

sensitivities to sulfur dioxide gas. 3 main types – crusty, leafy and shrubby

Indicator species present

Appearance of lichen

SO2 concentration

Crusty lichens only

High

Crusty and leafy Medium

Shrubby low

Pupil Activity

Lichens as indicators of Air Pollution

Carrying out a pollution survey

Air Pollution Map

Look at the air pollution map, and explain the distribution of the different types of lichen.

variety of life, adaptation and competition wjec biology module 1

Documents

autumn slide

variety of life slide

study of living organisms

animals vertebrates

reproduction animals

plants dont

new plants

movement animals