This key facts covers EXTREMOPHILES — Life in Extreme Conditions within Competition Adaptations for GCSE Biology. Topic 2: Competition Adaptations It is section 5 of 15 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🏜️ EXTREMOPHILES — Life in Extreme Conditions
Some organisms (called extremophiles) have adapted to survive in extreme environments:
- Deep sea vents — bacteria survive at extreme pressure and temperature
- Hot springs — bacteria with heat-resistant enzymes
- Salt lakes — organisms that tolerate very high salt
- Antarctic ice — organisms with "antifreeze" proteins in their blood
These organisms are useful in science — their enzymes (like Taq polymerase from hot spring bacteria) are used in PCR and genetic engineering!
Practice questions for Competition Adaptations
Which of the following do plants compete for?
Explain how the spines of a cactus are an adaptation to its desert environment.
Quick recall flashcards
What do plants compete for?
Light, water, nutrients (mineral ions), and space.
Why are adaptations important?
They increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in its environment.