Year 10 Biology: Competition and Adaptations in Animals and Plants

Introduction to Competition and Adaptations

In nature, animals and plants live together in the same environment. They need resources like food, water, light, and space to survive. Sometimes, they compete for these resources. This competition can lead to interesting adaptations.

What is Competition?

Competition happens when two or more organisms try to use the same resource. This can be:

• Intra-species competition: When individuals of the same species compete (e.g., two rabbits fighting for the same patch of grass).
• Inter-species competition: When individuals of different species compete (e.g., a rabbit and a deer competing for the same food).

What are Adaptations?

Adaptations are special features or behaviours that help an organism survive in its environment. They can be:

• Physical adaptations: These are body parts that help an organism survive (e.g., a cactus has thick skin to store water).
• Behavioural adaptations: These are actions organisms take to survive (e.g., birds migrate to find warmer climates).

Interdependence in Ecosystems

All living things rely on each other to survive. This is called interdependence. For example:

• Plants produce oxygen, which animals need to breathe.
• Animals produce carbon dioxide, which plants need for photosynthesis.

Key Points to Remember

1. Competition can be for food, water, or space.
2. Adaptations help organisms survive.
3. Interdependence means living things rely on each other.

Tips and Tricks to Remember

• Think of competition like a race. Only those who are best adapted will win.
• Use real-life examples, like how cats and dogs compete for food if they live in the same house.
• Draw pictures of different adaptations, like how a polar bear’s white fur helps it blend into the snow.

Questions

Easy Level Questions (1-20)

1. What is competition in nature?
2. Name one resource that animals compete for.
3. What is an adaptation?
4. Give an example of a physical adaptation.
5. What do plants need to grow?
6. How do animals and plants depend on each other?
7. What type of competition happens between the same species?
8. Name a behavioural adaptation of birds.
9. Why do cacti have thick skin?
10. What happens if two species compete for the same resource?
11. What do rabbits eat?
12. Why do animals need water?
13. What is the role of plants in providing oxygen?
14. Name one animal that migrates.
15. What is interdependence?
16. How do humans compete with animals for resources?
17. Give an example of a plant adaptation.
18. Why is competition important in nature?
19. What happens to weaker animals in competition?
20. How do adaptations help survival?

Medium Level Questions (21-40)

21. Explain intra-species competition.
22. What is the difference between physical and behavioural adaptations?
23. How do predators and prey show competition?
24. Describe how a chameleon uses camouflage.
25. Why do animals adapt to their environment?
26. Provide an example of inter-species competition.
27. How can competition lead to extinction?
28. Why are adaptations important for survival?
29. Give an example of a plant that has adapted to a dry environment.
30. How does competition affect population size?
31. What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
32. Describe a habitat where competition is common.
33. How can humans impact competition in nature?
34. Why do some animals have bright colours?
35. Name a plant that grows in water and its adaptation.
36. How does the environment influence adaptations?
37. What is natural selection?
38. Explain how competition can lead to evolution.
39. Give an example of a behavioural adaptation in mammals.
40. How do food chains illustrate interdependence?

Hard Level Questions (41-60)

41. Discuss how climate change can affect competition.
42. Explain the concept of niche in ecology.
43. What is the competitive exclusion principle?
44. How do invasive species disrupt local ecosystems?
45. Describe how a polar bear’s adaptations help it survive in the Arctic.
46. Explain how plants have adapted to attract pollinators.
47. What is camouflage, and why is it important?
48. How do adaptations lead to biodiversity?
49. Discuss the impact of habitat destruction on competition.
50. How does symbiosis differ from competition?
51. What role do predators play in maintaining ecosystem balance?
52. Explain how plants compete for light.
53. How do animals use territory to reduce competition?
54. Discuss how seasonal changes can affect competition.
55. How do adaptations in plants help them survive in different climates?
56. What is the significance of genetic variation in competition?
57. Describe how competition can lead to niche differentiation.
58. How do scavengers contribute to the ecosystem?
59. Explain the role of keystone species in competition.
60. Discuss the relationship between competition and resource availability.

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. Competition is when organisms try to use the same resource.
2. Food.
3. An adaptation is a special feature that helps an organism survive.
4. A cactus has thick skin to store water.
5. Plants need sunlight, water, and nutrients.
6. Plants provide oxygen, and animals produce carbon dioxide.
7. Intra-species competition occurs between the same species.
8. Birds migrate for warmer climates.
9. Thick skin helps cacti store water.
10. One may become weaker or die.
11. Rabbits eat grass and vegetables.
12. Animals need water to survive and stay healthy.
13. Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis.
14. A bird like the swallow migrates.
15. Interdependence means living things rely on each other.
16. Humans compete for land and food.
17. A plant adaptation is having deep roots.
18. Competition keeps populations balanced.
19. Weaker animals may not survive.
20. Adaptations improve chances of survival.

Medium Level Answers

21. Intra-species competition is competition between the same species.
22. Physical adaptations are body parts; behavioural adaptations are actions.
23. Predators chase prey, leading to competition for food.
24. Chameleons change colour to blend in with their surroundings.
25. Animals adapt to survive better in their environment.
26. A rabbit and a deer competing for grass is inter-species competition.
27. Competition can lead to extinction of weaker species.
28. Adaptations help organisms cope with their environment.
29. The cactus has adapted to conserve water.
30. Competition can limit population growth.
31. Decomposers break down dead matter and recycle nutrients.
32. A rainforest is a habitat with lots of competition.
33. Humans change habitats, affecting plants and animals.
34. Bright colours can warn predators or attract mates.
35. A water lily floats on the surface and has wide leaves.
36. The environment determines what adaptations are necessary.
37. Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted survive.
38. Competition can change species over time.
39. A behavioural adaptation is how wolves hunt in packs.
40. Food chains show how energy moves and how organisms depend on each other.

Hard Level Answers

41. Climate change can alter habitats and resource availability, increasing competition.
42. A niche is the role an organism plays in its environment.
43. The competitive exclusion principle states two species cannot occupy the same niche.
44. Invasive species can take over resources, harming local species.
45. Polar bears have thick fur and fat for insulation and white fur for camouflage.
46. Plants may have bright flowers to attract bees.
47. Camouflage helps animals hide from predators.
48. Adaptations increase the variety of life in ecosystems, known as biodiversity.
49. Habitat destruction can lead to increased competition for fewer resources.
50. Symbiosis is a close relationship; competition is when they fight for resources.
51. Predators control the population of other species, keeping balance.
52. Plants compete for light by growing taller or spreading out.
53. Animals use territory to claim space and reduce competition.
54. Seasonal changes can change food availability and habitats.
55. Plants may grow thicker leaves in colder climates for insulation.
56. Genetic variation helps some survive better in competition.
57. Niche differentiation allows similar species to coexist by using different resources.
58. Scavengers recycle nutrients and clean up the environment.
59. Keystone species are crucial for maintaining ecosystem structure and balance.
60. Competition increases when resources are scarce, leading to struggles for survival.

Feel free to use these concepts and questions to help your understanding of competition and adaptations in the natural world!