Lesson 4.2.1

4.2.1 Niche and adaptation of organisms Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield), Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.2.1, Niche and adaptation of organisms: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BI0), Unit 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is an ecological niche?

    • The total number of organisms in a habitat
    • The exact physical location in which an organism lives
    • The role of an organism in its environment, including its habitat, food and interactions with other organisms
    • The area of land that an organism defends from others

  2. What is a habitat?

    • The place where an organism lives
    • The genetic make-up of a population
    • The number of species in an area
    • The role an organism plays in its community

  3. Which is a behavioural adaptation?

    • A desert animal that is active only at night to avoid the heat
    • A polar bear with a thick layer of blubber
    • A cactus that stores water in its stem
    • A camel that has long legs for walking on sand

  4. Which is a physiological adaptation?

    • A cactus carrying out CAM photosynthesis, opening its stomata at night
    • A bird that migrates south each winter
    • A fish with a streamlined body shape
    • A woodpecker's long, pointed beak

  5. Which is an anatomical adaptation?

    • A bird that sings to defend its territory
    • A kangaroo that moves by hopping in bounds
    • A desert lizard that basks in the sun in the morning
    • The long, thick fur of a polar animal that reduces heat loss

  6. A desert plant has deep roots and a waxy coating on its leaves. Which types of adaptation do these features represent?

    • Behavioural adaptations that change the timing of activity
    • Anatomical adaptations that help conserve water
    • Reproductive adaptations that increase the number of seeds
    • Physiological adaptations that change the genome

  7. A camel stores fat in its hump. Which type of adaptation is this most closely associated with?

    • Behavioural adaptation for finding mates
    • Physiological and anatomical adaptation for surviving without food and water for long periods
    • Reproductive adaptation to a seasonal breeding cycle
    • Genetic adaptation to a new continent within one generation

  8. How does a niche differ from a habitat?

    • A niche is where an organism lives, while a habitat is its role in the community
    • A habitat describes the genotype of an organism
    • A niche and habitat are always identical
    • A habitat is where an organism lives

  9. Why can two species with similar habitats have different niches?

    • Their habitats must be in different countries
    • They may feed on different food or be active at different times, which reduces competition
    • They always have identical food and behaviour
    • Their genes are identical so they must differ in niche

  10. A bird species feeds only on seeds from one type of plant. What is most likely to happen if that plant disappears?

    • The bird will immediately adapt to eat insects
    • The bird will start feeding on the seeds of unrelated plants without any effect
    • The bird's niche will become larger with no change to its population
    • The bird's population may decline because its niche depends on that food source

  11. Which feature is an example of an anatomical adaptation in a fish living in fast-flowing water?

    • A habit of hiding behind rocks only at night
    • Production of antifreeze proteins in the blood
    • A streamlined body shape that reduces drag
    • Laying eggs in large numbers in the dry season

  12. A nocturnal animal hunts at night to avoid competition with diurnal predators. What type of adaptation is this?

    • Behavioural adaptation
    • Anatomical adaptation
    • Physiological adaptation
    • Genetic mutation

  13. A polar fox has white fur in winter. What is the most likely benefit?

    • Camouflage in snow
    • Reduced need to drink water
    • Improved photosynthesis in the snow
    • Faster reproduction in cold seasons

  14. Which statement about adaptation is correct?

    • Adaptations always occur in a single generation
    • Adaptations are inherited traits that increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in its environment
    • Adaptations are features that have no effect on survival
    • Adaptations are changes that an individual makes during its life to suit its environment

  15. Which term describes the position of a species in a food web and its interactions with other species?

    • Population
    • Biome
    • Niche
    • Habitat

  16. A species of frog has a niche that includes eating insects in the early morning. Which change would most likely alter its niche?

    • A reduction in the number of insects available in the morning
    • A change in the colour of its skin only
    • An increase in its body size without any change in behaviour or food
    • A change in the name of its species

  17. Which example of a physiological adaptation helps a marine fish survive in salty water?

    • Migrating to freshwater each year
    • Excreting excess salt through specialised cells in the gills
    • Having a bright colour pattern to attract mates
    • Building a nest out of seaweed

  18. What is the difference between a behavioural and a physiological adaptation?

    • Both are changes in the DNA sequence of the organism
    • Behavioural adaptations are internal, whereas physiological adaptations are external structures
    • Behavioural adaptations are actions an organism performs, whereas physiological adaptations are internal processes
    • Both are structural features of the body

  19. Which is a behavioural adaptation of a honeybee?

    • Storing nectar in a specialised crop
    • Having compound eyes made of many ommatidia
    • Producing wax from glands on its abdomen
    • Communicating the location of food

  20. Which is an anatomical adaptation of a seal living in cold seas?

    • A thick layer of blubber under the skin
    • Hibernating in burrows through the coldest months
    • Migrating to warmer waters each winter
    • Raising its body temperature through shivering only

All Pearson Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) quizzes