Truth in Science

Unit 2: Environmental Biology and Genetics

a) ecosystems

 

2 Factors affecting the variety of species in an ecosystem

 

ii Factors affecting biodiversity.

 

Adaptations to habitat and niche.

 

As illustrated by Darwin’s finches (adaptations of beak shape and size) and desert plants (adaptations of roots, reduced leaf surface area and presence of thick waxy cuticle on leaves).

 

b) Factors affecting variation in a species

 

2 Genetics

 

xii Natural selection.

The process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment survive and breed, while those less well adapted fail to do so. The better adapted organisms are more likely to pass their characteristics to succeeding generations. As illustrated by the Peppered Moth.