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In this post, we'll talk about the life on Earth in I/GCSE Biology. Let's get started! 😆
System in balance
In I/GCSE Biology, make sure you can understand the following terms!
How do different species depend on each other?
- A group of organisms that can breed together and produce fertile offspring is called a SPECIES.
- All things rely on their environment and other species to survive.
- The individuals in a species are adapted to living in their environment
- ADAPTATIONS of living organisms to their environment increases the species’ chance of survival by making it more likely that individuals will survive to reproduce.
- If an organism reaches sexual maturity, it is more likely to pass on its genes, including the genes coding for its adaptations, to the next generation.
![broken image](http://custom-images.strikinglycdn.com/res/hrscywv4p/image/upload/c_limit,fl_lossy,h_9000,w_1200,f_auto,q_auto/4936730/152056_740817.png)
Then, let's look at the example of polar bear in I/GCSE Biology!
For example – POLAR BEAR they are well adapted for survival in the Arctic. They have:
- A white appearance, as camouflage from prey on the snow and ice
- Thick layers of fat and fur, for insulation against the cold
- A small surface area to volume ratio, to minimise heat loss
- A greasy coat which sheds water after swimming
![broken image](http://custom-images.strikinglycdn.com/res/hrscywv4p/image/upload/c_limit,fl_lossy,h_9000,w_1200,f_auto,q_auto/4936730/448950_672303.jpeg)
Competition
- When the same RESOURCES (E.g. shelter, food, water, light availability, etc) are needed by different organisms in the same habitat then there is COMPETITION.
- The organisms that are most successful at competing survive and pass on those genes that code for adaptations – SURVIVAL OF THE FITTESET.
![broken image](http://custom-images.strikinglycdn.com/res/hrscywv4p/image/upload/c_limit,fl_lossy,h_9000,w_1200,f_auto,q_auto/4936730/351948_257265.png)
Food Webs
- FOOD WEBS show how all the food chains in a given habitat are interrelated.
- It shows how the loss of one organism has an effect of other organisms in the food web.
- All the organisms in a food web are dependent on other parts of the web – this is called INTERDEPENDENCE.
- This means changes affecting one species in a food web could have an impact on other species that are part of the same food web.
![broken image](http://custom-images.strikinglycdn.com/res/hrscywv4p/image/upload/c_limit,fl_lossy,h_9000,w_1200,f_auto,q_60/4936730/250143_231258.gif)
Change in environment
- The environmental conditions change beyond its ability to adapt
- A new species that is a competitor, predator or disease organism of that species is introduces
- Another species (animal, plants or microorganisms) in its food web becomes extinct
![broken image](http://custom-images.strikinglycdn.com/res/hrscywv4p/image/upload/c_limit,fl_lossy,h_9000,w_1200,f_auto,q_auto/4936730/519568_715991.jpeg)
And we're done with this topic! Well Done!
![broken image](http://custom-images.strikinglycdn.com/res/hrscywv4p/image/upload/c_limit,fl_lossy,h_9000,w_1200,f_auto,q_auto/4936730/853928_559822.png)
Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)
References:
- "Animal Drawing Pictures", https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1579762714453-51d9913984e2?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8MXx8YW5pbWFsJTIwZHJhd2luZ3xlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&w=1000&q=80
- "Polar bear", https://cdn-a.william-reed.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/5/5/9/7/3147955-1-eng-GB/Polar-bear-study-of-high-fat-diet-adaptations-may-provide-human-benefits_wrbm_large.jpg
- "Wildlife Encounters: Adaptations - Competition". Photo from the internet.
- "Food web". Photo from the internet.
- "Climate-induced Species Migrations", https://climatechange.lta.org/wp-content/uploads/cct/2017/04/F1.large_-e1491703793968.jpg