1. Biology 1
1.4
Interdependence and Adaptation

2. •Suggest how organisms are adapted to the
conditions in which they live.
•Observe the adaptations, eg body shape, of a
range of organisms from different habitats.
•Develop an understanding of the ways in which
adaptations enable organisms to survive.
•Suggest factors for which organisms are
competing in a given habitat.
•Evaluate data concerned with the effect of
environmental changes on the distribution and
behaviour of living organisms.

3. 1.4.1. Adaptation
Competition
Plants compete for: space, light, water and
nutrients in the soil.
Plants that open their leaves first are able to
photosynthesise and therefore grow faster.
Faster growing seeds are more successful on a
bare patch of soil than slower growing ones.

4. Competition in Animals
Animals compete for food, space, water, breeding
sites and mates.
Animals also have to face predation and disease.

5. Hiding! Poisons
Mimic

6. Adaptation
Animals and plants have to adapt to their
surrounding environment in order to survive.
Environmental conditions such as wind, rain, hot
and cold have to be adapted to.

7. Polar Bear
1. Thick layer of fat -
insulation.
2. Large, compact size – low
surface area, reduces heat
loss.
3. Hairy coat - insulation 6. Strong swimmer and
runner to catch prey.
4. Greasy fur – repels water,
to avoid cooling by 7. Big feet – spread out
evaporation. weight, so to stop sinking
in the snow.
5. White fur – camouflage.

8. Camel
1. Large body surface area – to loose heat
2. Little urine produced and no sweating
3. Can tolerate big changes in
body temperature.
4. Large feet – spread out weight
5. Fat stored in humps not round
the body
6. Sandy colour and good runner
7. Store up to 20 gallons of water

9. Cactus 1. No leaves – reduce water loss.
2. Small surface area – reduce water loss.
3. Very thick stem – store water.
4. Spines – stop animals eating it.
5. Shallow but extensive roots –
absorb water quickly when it rains.

10. 1.4.2 Environmental Change
Changes in environment affect distribution.
These changes can be caused by living or non-living
factors. Such as change in temp, average rainfall or
change in a competitor.
Indicators of pollution
Lichens – concentration of sulphur dioxide
Invertebrates – concentration of dissolved oxygen