Biology- Unit 2 Revision

Last minute cram notes

Topics Covered: Ordering The World Habitats, Environments & Survival Physiological Adaptations for survival Behaviors for Survival Reproductive Strategies for survival Ecosystems & Their Living Communities

Topic 1(Ordering the world):

Classification (KPCOFGS): Kingdom Phylum Class Order Genus Species There are several mnemonics for remembering this, my teacher uses Kangaroos Pouch Caught On Fire, Gets Sad but that was too hard to remember for me, so I

found this one on the net Kevin Puts Condoms On For Great Sex!.

5 Kingdoms (Robert H. Whittaker):

The first two kingdoms should be pretty self explanatoryHeres a nice table ripped from the textbook (Nature of Bio)

Dichotomous Key: Used in identifying specimens by the presence or absence of certain features Each decision involves choosing between *just two* alternatives (Spotted or Plain, ect) [Eg: Snake Prac]

Binomial System(Consists Of Two Parts): 1st Part Genus Name [What genus is belongs to] 2nd Part Species Name [What species it belongs to]

Eg Homo Sapien

Genus Species

Topic 2(Habbitats, Enviroments & Survival):

Habbitats & Micro-habbitats: A habitat is basically an area where an organism lives. A Micro-Habbitat is a habitat **WITHIN** a habitat, so for example in a lake habitat a microhabitat would be the bottom of the lake or the shore

Tolerance Range: The range of a certain specified condition that the organism can tolerate Can be Temp..PH..Oxygen Concentration..Food Availability (Eg. Tropical Fish will only thrive in a certain optimal temperature range)

Niche: The role of a certain organism within a defined habitat (Eg birds with 33mm beaks will only eat worms that live 33mm down and birds with beaks designed for cracking seeds will eat seeds not worms.)

Abiotic Factors: Non-Living factors that influence an organisms environment Eg: Wind, Sunshine, Rain, Water Availability, Terrain Biotic Factors: Living factors that influence an organisms environment Eg: Availability of Food, Predators, Human Intervention, Pollination

Topic 3 - (Physiological Adaptations For Survival aka. Homeostasis):

Homeostasis: Maintaining of internal variables within a specific limit. (Blood Pressure, Temperature, Blood Sugar, Ect) Eg Body temperature will always be roughly 37 no matter if it is 5 degrees or 35 degrees outside. Nervous System: Monitoring of these variables is undertaken by the nervous system. Nerve Cells (Also Known As Neurons) are the basic unit of the nervous system. The extension that carries information from a body cell to a neuron or another body cell is called an axon.

Different Types of Neurons:

Affector (Sensory) Neurons Have receptors that detect change in external or internal environment. Information Detected is transmitted as an electrical impulse to the CNS by the Affector Neuron.

Effector Neurons Carry impulses away from CNS to muscle cells or glands and cause a response.

Connector Neurons Link Sensory and Effector Neurons.

Temperature Regulation in Humans:

Changes in temperature detected by thermo-receptors in the skin. Affector (Sensory Neurons) - transmit this information to the hypothalamus in the brain. The hypothalamus serves as the temperature control centre of the body.

Heat Gain: Basic metabolic Processess Shivering Exercise Ect

Heat Loss: Evaporation via sweat Convection Radiation and conduction

Heat Generation Via Hormones:

Difference between Endothermic & Ectothermic:

Endothermic Rely on Internal Sources for body heat Ectothermic Depend on External sources for body heat (Eg Sun)

Water Balance:

Regulated by kidneys Also called osmo-regulation Two Significant hormones are involved Vasopressin and Anti-Diuretic Hormone ( ADH) Osmo-receptors detect changes in water balance in the body When there is a drop in water concentration, Vasopressin is released into the bloodstream.

Vasopressin increases re-absorption of water in the kidneys When the correct water balance is achieved water concentration increases and negative feedback leads to a decreased secretion of vasopressin.

Water Balance in plants:

Most water is lost through stomata

Prevention of waterloss: o Closing Stomata o Waxy Cuticle o Rolled Up Leaves o Storage of water Eg large vacuoles in succulents Stimulus response model:

Continue cycle until balance is achieved

Topic 4 Behaviors for Survival

Innate VS Learned Behavior:

Plant Behavior: Three kinds discussed:

Photoperiodism Long day VS Short Day plants The day isnt the important bitthe actual important bit is the night so Long Day Plants are actually Short night plantsand Short Day Plants are actually Long Night Plants

Phototropism When a plant moves in response to light A Plant hormone called auxin increases in concentration on the darker side of the tip and increases growth this increased growth on the

dark side means plants bend towards the light.

Geotropism Growth in response to gravity Auxin accumulates near the bottom of plant shoots and therefore plants grow upwards against gravity.

Topic 5 Reproductive strategies for survival

Internal & External Fertilisation K Selection and R Selection Monogamy and Polygamy Oviparity & Viviparty

 Plant Reproduction and pollination.

Ran out of time to cover:Ecosystems autotrophs & hetrotrophs decomposers & detritvores, parasite host relationships energy flow food chains food webs trophic levels abundance distribution population dynamicsSorry!! - kingpomba