SCIENCE

Adaptation of Animals and Plants

1. ❌ Flowers only open during the heat of the day → (They actually open
at night to avoid heat)
2. ❌ They have big feet to produce high pressure on the snow → (They
have big feet to spread weight → low pressure)
3. ❌ The stems and leaves are hairy to prevent water loss → (They’re hairy
to trap heat, not water)
4. ❌ They are tall so that it is easy to spot predators → (They’re tall to
reach leaves)
5. ❌ They have long eyelashes to attract other camels → (They’re for
protection from sand)
6. ❌ The hard shell can't protect them → (It does protect them)
7. ✅ A habitat
8. ❌ Hedgehogs eat insects and worms - they are herbivores → (They’re
insectivores, not herbivores)
9. ❌ It loses its leaves in autumn to save food → (It loses leaves to save
water/energy, not food)
10. ❌ The dark coloured feathers reflect heat from the sun → (They
absorb heat, not reflect it)

Food Chains and Webs

1. ✅ Producers
2. ✅ Carnivores
3. ✅ Animals and plants
4. ❌ Lion (because the others are herbivores)
5. ✅ Grass → Rabbit → Fox
6. ✅ The primary consumer
7. ✅ The secondary consumer
8. ✅ The top carnivore
9. ✅ Slugs will increase in number
10. ❌ In a food web, arrows can point in any direction → (They always
show the direction of energy flow)
 Adaptations for Survival (IG)
1. ✅ It has spikes which hurt the animal
2. ✅ Brown fur in summer and white fur in winter for camouflage
3. ✅ A territory
4. ❌ Carbon dioxide (rarely limiting in nature)
5. ✅ Makes sure that the predator or prey cannot see it as easily
6. ✅ Reduced leaf surface area
7. ✅ Carbon dioxide
8. ✅ Mimicry
9. ✅ Nutrients
10. ✅ Some extremophiles can tolerate high temperatures

Photosynthesis (IG)
1. ✅ Carbon dioxide concentration
2. ✅ Plants and algae
3. ✅ Growth
4. ✅ Oxygen
5. ✅ Nitrate
6. ✅ Starch
7. ✅ Soil
8. ✅ The chloroplasts
9. ✅ Light
10. ✅ Temperature
 Controlled Variable (IG)
1. independent variable
2. Any factor involved in the experiment
3. Age and lifestyle
4. Volume
5. Size of seeds and time
6. valid
7. constant
8. fair
9. size
10. all the factors apart from the dependent and independent
variables

Independent Variable (IG)

1. number of seeds
2. Mass
3. the variable that is changed by the experimenter
4. unreliable
5. a factor we can change or measure or control
6. the same
7. key variable
8. changing
9. x axis
10. Key independent variable and control variables

Forces – Forces and Motion

1. The newton
2. Speed
3. a = (v - u) ÷ t
4. 2 m/s²
5. 500 N
6. Speed in a given direction
7. Both mass and resultant force
8. 65 kg
9. Acceleration
10. F=m×a

Biology – Adaptation (IG)

1. Light
2. The thorns are there to stop animals from eating the rose plant
3. Extremophiles
4. Streamlined body
5. For protection
6. water, nutrients, space to grow and light
7. It is camouflage to stop their prey spotting them
8. Hot air muffles sound so it needs bigger ears to hear (least likely)
9. decreased because their normal food and habitat has been replaced by
farmers' crops
10. A characteristic that is useful to an organism

Biology – Energy in Food Chains (IG)

1. Very little of it
2. The flow of energy
3. 800g, 45g, 3g, 0.0005g
4. Light to chemical
5. 5%
6. The Sun
7. The biomass of the ladybirds is less than the biomass of the rose plant
8. 0.000375%
9. Water, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll
10. A plant or algae

Biology – Environmental Change (AQA)

1. The water is very polluted
2. Burning fossil fuels
3. All of the above
4. The number of farmland birds has decreased
5. On trees in the countryside
6. Acid rain
7. They will find somewhere else to live
8. It can be used as an indicator species for pollution
9. Readings can be taken automatically
10. pH

3 The masses for all species are lower where there are no mangroves. The biggest
difference is for yellowtail, where the mass is less than half of that where

4 When no mangroves are present, there is no habitat for the baby fish to
develop safely from predators, so fewer baby fish grow to become adults, and
there are fewer adult fish on the coral reef.

3. Individuals of the species will have spread all over the country, so it can be very
difficult to find them all and kill them. People may become fond of the introduced
species, and not want it to be killed.

4.3
a A species that has been moved to a country/place/ecosystem where
it does not naturally live.

b To count visits to winged loosestrife with and without purple

loosestrife, so they could compare the number of visits; this was how
they changed their independent variable.
c It reduced the (mean) number of visits from 35 to 26 / by
nine.
d There are fewer insect visits and fewer seeds produced; seed production follows successful
pollination.
e They could repeat it to check if the results are always the same; they could time insect visits for longer
than 15 minutes because one 15-minute period may not be representative of what happens over a long
period of time.

Project: The Introduction of the Cane Toad in Australia

1. Where does the species normally live?

 The cane toad (Rhinella marina) is native to Central and South America, including
countries like Brazil, Venezuela, and northern Argentina.

2. Why and when was the new species introduced to your country?

 Introduced to Australia in 1935 (in Queensland).

 Brought in to control beetles that were damaging sugar cane crops.
 At the time, it was seen as a natural pest control method.

3. How has it affected the ecosystems it has been introduced to?

 The cane toad has become highly invasive.

 It has poisonous glands that kill native predators (like quokkas, goannas, and snakes)
that try to eat it.
 Competes with native species for food and habitat.
 Has caused population declines in several native animals.

4. Is it an invasive species? If so, why is it invasive in your country, but not

its native country?

 Yes, it’s invasive in Australia.

  In its native habitat, natural predators and diseases keep its population in check.
 In Australia, it has no natural predators, so it spreads rapidly and dominates
ecosystems.

5. Why did people not realise the species might be a problem when it was
first introduced? How has understanding improved over time?

 At the time, ecological science wasn’t well-developed.

 People thought they were solving one problem without fully considering the long-term
impact.
 Now, scientists use ecological risk assessments before introducing species.
 The cane toad case is often used as a warning example.

6. Are people trying to eradicate or control the species?

 Complete eradication is not possible.

 Control efforts include:
o Community toad-catching events.
o Development of biological controls (e.g., viruses).
o Barriers to prevent spread into new areas.
 Some people argue cane toads are part of Australian nature now and should be left alone,
but most conservationists support control efforts.

Presentation Tips
Make your presentation engaging and clear:

 Use a slideshow (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.).

 Include images or maps of the species and where it's spread.
 Use bullet points for each question above.
 Add a short video clip (if allowed) to show the species in action.
 Include a “What We Learned” slide at the end.

To Do (Checklist for Your Group)

 Example 1: European Rabbit in Australia
• Where does the species normally live?
 Native to Europe and North Africa.

• Why and when was it introduced?

 Brought to Australia in the 1850s for hunting and as pets.

 Released into the wild for sport.

• How has it affected ecosystems?

 Rabbits eat large amounts of native vegetation, causing erosion and habitat loss.

 Compete with native animals like bilbies and bandicoots.

 Population exploded due to lack of natural predators.

• Why is it invasive in Australia but not in Europe?

 In Europe, predators and diseases control the population.

 In Australia, the environment was perfect for them, and no predators kept numbers down.

• What was misunderstood at first?

 People underestimated how fast they would reproduce and spread.

 Lack of understanding of ecosystem balance.

• How are people controlling it?

 Fencing, hunting, and biological control (e.g., the myxomatosis virus).

 Mixed success — rabbits often develop resistance.

Example 2: Kudzu Vine in the United States

• Where does it normally live?
 Native to East Asia, especially Japan and China.

• Why and when was it introduced?

 Brought to the U.S. in the late 1800s for erosion control and decoration.
 Promoted by the government during the 1930s.

• How has it affected ecosystems?

 Grows extremely fast (up to 1 foot per day!).

 Smothers trees and native plants, creating “green deserts”.

 Blocks sunlight, leading to the death of native plants.

• Why is it invasive in the U.S.?

 No natural predators or diseases in the U.S. to control it.

 Perfect climate in the southeastern U.S. for fast growth.

• What was misunderstood?

 People didn't realize how fast it could grow or how hard it would be to remove.

 Originally seen as a useful and beautiful plant.

• How is it being controlled?

 Herbicides, mowing, grazing (e.g., goats).

 Control is difficult and costly.

 Some efforts to reuse it (e.g., basket weaving) for local income.

Example 3: Lionfish in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean

• Where does the species normally live?
 Native to the Indo-Pacific region.

• Why and when was it introduced?

 Likely released from home aquariums in the 1980s or 1990s in Florida.

 Accidentally spread into the Atlantic and Caribbean.

• How has it affected ecosystems?

 Lionfish eat juvenile reef fish, reducing populations of native fish.

 Harm coral reefs by unbalancing the food chain.

 Have no natural predators in the Atlantic.

 • Why is it invasive in the Atlantic?
 In their native range, natural predators and competition control them.

 In the Atlantic, they are top predators with no checks.

• What was misunderstood?

 The aquarium trade underestimated the impact of escapees or releases.

 People didn’t expect them to reproduce and spread so widely.

• How are people controlling it?

 Organized spearfishing and hunting events.

 Promoting lionfish as food in restaurants.

 Still very hard to reduce numbers — they live deep underwater.

Examples of Introduced / Invasive Species in Myanmar

1. Sucker Fish (Plecostomus / Hypostomus / Pterygoplichthys species)

 Where does the species normally live?

They are native to South America, particularly in river systems like the Amazon.
 Why/when introduced to Myanmar?
They were imported for the aquarium trade, including as “algae-cleaner” fish. ICSF+1
Over time, some aquarium owners released them into local water bodies.
ICSF+2MIMU+2
 How has it affected ecosystems in Myanmar?
o They damage local fish farms by outcompeting farmed species, eating food
intended for other fish, injuring other fish with sharp fins. ICSF+1
o They feed on aquatic plants, weeds, insects, which alters food webs. ICSF+1
o Their presence correlates with decreasing numbers of native species (e.g. hilsa) in
some rivers. Southeast Asia Globe+1
 Is it invasive? Why invasive in Myanmar but not in its native range?
Yes — these suckerfish are considered invasive in Myanmar. Global New Light Of
Myanmar+2MIMU+2
In their native habitat, ecological balances (predators, parasites, competition) help keep
their populations controlled. In Myanmar, lacking those checks, they spread more easily,
especially when released intentionally or accidentally from aquariums.
 Why people did not realize the risk at first? How has understanding improved?
o Initially imported for benign reasons (aquarium pests, algae control) so risk was
underestimated.
 o Also, the ecological impact (on wild fish farms, native fish, habitat) may not have
been monitored or documented early.
o Over time, studies (for example by BANCA, environmental monitoring) have
documented the damage, leading to more awareness. ICSF+2Global New Light
Of Myanmar+2
 Are people trying to control or eradicate them?
o Some fish farmers are trying to prevent spread (by not releasing them, or
managing ponds). BANCA is involved in raising awareness. ICSF+1
o Complete eradication seems difficult due to their reproduction and ability to
survive in many water bodies.
o There’s conflict: some people don’t perceive them as a problem at first, or see
them as just aquarium escapees. Others call for stricter regulation of import /
release.

2. Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

 Where does the species normally live?

Native to Africa. Southeast Asia Globe
 Why/when introduced to Myanmar?
Introduced in the 1990s to enhance aquaculture production (for export, for domestic
demand). U.S. Soybean Export Council+1
 How has it affected ecosystems?
o It competes with native fish species (like hilsa) for food and habitat. Southeast
Asia Globe
o It has spread widely across Myanmar, not just in farms, but potentially in natural
water bodies. Southeast Asia Globe
 Is it invasive?
Yes — considered invasive in Myanmar. Southeast Asia Globe
In Africa, its native range, there are predators, diseases, and ecological relationships that
keep its populations balanced. In Myanmar, introduced populations often escape or are
released, spreading without those checks.
 Awareness / how understanding improved?
o Initially, focus was on the economic benefit of tilapia farming.
o Over time as negative impacts on wild fish stocks and biodiversity became
apparent, more studies and media attention have highlighted the problem.
Southeast Asia Globe
 Control / management efforts?
o Some policies or calls for better monitoring of tilapia spread.
o Possibly controls on farms, and attempts to reduce escapes.
o But success is mixed; once species are established in wild waters, control is hard.
3. Invasive Aquatic Apple Snails (Pomacea spp.)

 Where does the species normally live?

Also native to the Americas (South America). Pomacea are freshwater snails. TAA
International
 Why/when introduced?
Likely for ornamental purposes, accidentally through trade, or via water channels. They
have spread via irrigation canals, rivers, wetlands. TAA International
 How has it affected ecosystems?
o Major pest for agriculture (especially rice): damaging rice nurseries, direct-seeded
fields, and transplanted fields. TAA International
o Affects native biodiversity: aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, birds are impacted
when the ecology shifts. TAA International
o Degrades water quality / ecosystems services in areas where established. TAA
International
 Is it invasive?
Yes — considered invasive in Myanmar. TAA International
Again, in their native lands there are controls; in Myanmar they spread unchecked in
many water bodies.
 Why people did not realize earlier?
o Possibly because the invasion was gradual. Agricultural losses may have been
attributed to other causes initially.
o Lack of early monitoring.
o Over time, researchers have documented the snail’s spread and impact, raising
awareness.
 Control / management?
o Hand‐picking in infested fields is considered an environmentally suitable method.
TAA International
o Also suggestions to convert harvested snails into fish feed (giving economic
incentive to control them). TAA International
o However, full eradication is difficult; prevention of spread is important.

4. Other Plant / Forest Invasive Species

From Myanmar’s own national biodiversity strategy & reports:

 Several non-native plants have been introduced intentionally (for forest plantations, for
ornament, for economic or industrial uses) that are now invasive or potentially invasive.
Convention on Biological Diversity+1
 Some examples:
 Species Native Range / Use Invasiveness / Impact in Myanmar

Native to Central/South Competes strongly with native vegetation;

Lantana camara
America; introduced widely alters forest edges.

Native to southern Mexico

Leucaena Grows rapidly; strong regeneration; becomes a
& Guatemala; used for
leucocephala nuisance; competes with native species.
fodder, fuelwood

Water Hyacinth Introduced for ornamental/aesthetic reasons;

(Eichhornia Native to the Amazon basin now clogs ponds, lakes, waterways; reduces
crassipes) aquatic biodiversity.

Introduced for fast-growing trees, roadside

Acacia Native to Australia–New
planting; can spread outside plantations;
auriculiformis Guinea region
impacts local species.

Spreads quickly, especially in abandoned lands

Imperata Native regionally but
or plantations; good cover but suppresses other
cylindrica considered invasive in
plants; risk during dry seasons as it is
(Cogongrass) degraded lands
flammable.