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Adaptations Flashcards

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1
Q

What is gene flow?

A

The movement of genes in and out of a population (could be due to migration)

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2
Q

What is a gene?

A

A sequence of DNA nucleotides that code for a specific amino acid

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3
Q

What is an allele?

A

Genes occupying the same locus on a homologus chromosome, coding for the same trait

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4
Q

What is a gene pool?

A

All the genes and alleles present in a reproducing population

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5
Q

What is a species?

A

A group of potentially interbredding populations with a common gene pool

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6
Q

How do multiple gene pools exist for one species?

A

The species are geographically isolated

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7
Q

What organisms contribute to a population’s gene pool?

A

All the individuals that reproduce

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8
Q

What is genetic equillibrium?

A

When all members of a population have an equal chance to contribute to the future gene pool (theoretical because of natural selection)

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9
Q

What are the causes of genetic variation?

A

Mutations (duing replication or viral infection), environmental factors interfering with genes, sexual reproduction through meiosis (crossing over and independent assortment) and random fertilistion

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10
Q

What is a selection pressure?

A

A condition that affect allele frequency (e.g. predation)

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11
Q

What causes evolution?

A

Selection pressures and mutations

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12
Q

What is a mutation?

A

Alterations in the DNA of chromosomes that can cause physiological, anatomical and behavioural changes

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13
Q

When can mutations occur?

A

During replication or as a result of a mutagen

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14
Q

What are the three types of mutations?

A

Beneficial, neutral, harmful

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15
Q

What is natural selection?

A

Process where certain inherited traits of a population are favoured due to selection pressures, and change genetic make up of a population over time

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16
Q

What is an example of natural selection?

A

After the industrial revolution, darker moths become more likely to survive, so the trait became more prominent

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17
Q

What is ‘fitness’?

A

An organism’s relative ability to survive

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18
Q

What is sexual selection?

A

Intraspecies struggle between members of the same species for the possession of another species.

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19
Q

How can creatures adapt to sexual selection?

A

Become more attractive or intimidate other individuasl

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20
Q

What is the question structure for natural selection?

A
  1. There was variation within a specific trait of a species
  2. Species produce more offspring than an environment can support
  3. There was the selection pressure of _
  4. Individuals with _ had a survival advantage bc _
  5. They are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus this trait becomes more prominent in the species
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21
Q

What is genetic drift?

A

Random change in the frequency of alleles from generation to generation

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22
Q

What populations is genetic drift often a part of?

A

Small populations that are isolated. Survivors of bottleneck events are more prone

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23
Q

What is a population bottleneck?

A

Population becomes dramatically reduced due to certain events. Only a small number of individuals remain in the gene pool to contribute their genes to the enxt generation. The sample size is skewed, and allele frequencies are altered.

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24
Q

What is the surviving population of a bottleneck often exposed to?

A

Inbreeding and genetic drift

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25
Q

What is an example of a bottleneck species?

A

Cheetahs. they have low genetic diversity now

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26
Q

Effects of low genetic diversity due to population bottleneck in cheetahs

A

Sperm abnormality, decreased fertility, increased cub mortality

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27
Q

What is the founder effect?

A

Loss of genetic diversity that occurs when a small number of individuals migrate away from the population

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28
Q

What is the effect of a colonizing/founder population?

A

Small and non-representative sample of alleles from the parent population’s gene pool. Evolve in a different direction to parent population. Subject to effects of genetic drift

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29
Q

What are founder species dispersal dependent on?

A

Prevailing winds. Other than that, low or limited mobility

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29
Q

What is the effect of isolated populations?

A

Inbreeding and therefore reduced genetic diversity

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29
Q

Where is the founder effect commonly seen?

A

Populations of islands colonised by mainland populations

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30
Q

What happens with populations are isolated?

A

Little to no gene flow to introduce new alleles.

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30
Q

Example of isolated population

A

Tasmania Devil. Theire isolated nature makes them have reduced genetic diversity, which probably increased their susceptibility to facial tumour disease

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30
Q

What is speciation?

A

The process of populations becoming distinct species as isolation causes natural selection to favour different traits

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31
Q

What is a fragmented population?

A

When events cause a large population to be isolated into two or more separate populations

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32
Q

What does habitat fragmentation cause?

A

Reduced gene flow between populations, therefore inbreeding and genetic diversity loss

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33
Q

What species has genetic rescue worked for?

A

Mountain Pygmy Possum

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34
Q

How did genetic rescue of the Mountain Pygmy Possum work?

A

introducing new males, habitat and predator control

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35
Q

What is an abiotic factor?

A

A non-living factor that impacts the survival of a species

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36
Q

Examples of abiotic factors

A

Water, temperature, pH, salinity

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37
Q

What is a biotic factor?

A

Living factor that impacts the survival of a species in its invironment

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38
Q

Example of a biotic factor?

A

Competitors, predators, parasites, pathogens

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39
Q

What is the optimal range?

A

The range of an abiotic factor that allows for the best functioning of an organism

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40
Q

What is the tolerance range?

A

Includes the sides of the optimal range, which is the zone of physiological stress. Life is possible but difficult

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41
Q

What are the zones of intolerance?

A

The range in which survival is not possible for an organism

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42
Q

What is an adaptation?

A

Characteristics that increase the likelihood of survival within a species

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43
Q

What is a structural adaptation?

A

Anatomical adaptation

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44
Q

Another word for structural?

A

Morphological or anatomical

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45
Q

What is a physiological adaptation?

A

Change in the function of parts of the body

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46
Q

Another word for physiological

A

Functional

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47
Q

What is a behavioural adaptation?

A

Activity of the whole organism (learnt or innate)

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48
Q

What are some plant adaptations to an arid environment?

A

Fewer stomata, stomatal hair to create humid microclimate, sunken or protected stomata, leaf rolling, reduced leaf SA, leaf orientation away from sun, thick waxy cutcile, extensive underground root system

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49
Q

Why is having fewer stomata an adaptation to an arid environment?

A

Less water leaves the plant

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50
Q

Why is having stomatal hairs an adaptation to an arid environment?

A

Creates humid microclimate

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51
Q

Why is having sunked or protected stomata an arid environmental adaptation?

A

Creates humid microclimate within pit through high water vapour retention

52
Q

Why is reduced leaf SA helpful?

A

Less area for water loss

53
Q

Why is leaf orientation away from the sun helpful?

A

Less time exposed to hot summer sun

54
Q

WHy is a thick waxy cuticle helpful?

A

Barrier to evaporation. Shiny surface reflects heat

55
Q

Why is an extensive underground root system helpful?

A

If deep, tap into groundwater
If shallow/wide, access water as soon as it falls

56
Q

What are epicormic buds?

A

Structures that lie dormant under the dark until certain events cause them to grow

57
Q

Why are epicormic buds an adaptation?

A

Can regrow and sprout after fire

58
Q

What are lignotubers?

A

Swelling at base of a stem/trunk that allows resource storage and regeneration

59
Q

Why do acacias ahve hard outer seed coats?

A

Acts as protection and remain viable until water is available

60
Q

What are some animal adaptations to an arid environment?

A

Large SA:V ratio, hump, long intestine, skin that absorbs rain and dew, grooves in skin direct water to mouth, thick fur on the top of the body to provide shade, large and flat feet well-suited for walking on the sand, network of capillaires

61
Q

Why is a large SA:V ratio a good animal structural adaptation?

A

increase heat loss

62
Q

Why is a hump a good animal structural adaptation?

A

Store scarce food as fat without insulating the body

63
Q

Why is a long intestine a good animal structural adaptation?

A

Greater water absorption

64
Q

Why is thick fur on the top of the body (shade) and thin fur on the bottom of the body (heat loss) good?

A

Shade and heat loss

65
Q

Why are large flat feet good for arid environments?

A

Walk on sand

66
Q

Why is a rich network of capillaries in mouth and nose good?

A

Effective heat exchange and oxygen extraction

67
Q

What are some animals adaptations to an artic enviroment?

A

Thick layer of fur/blubber, small SA:V, greasy coat

68
Q

What is the benefit of a greasy coat in an artic environment?

A

sheds water after swimming

69
Q

What is the benefit of blubber in an artic environment?

A

insulation

70
Q

What is the benefit of a small SA:V ratio for animals in an artic environment?

A

less heat loss

71
Q

What is the benefit of large feet for animals in an artic environment?

A

spread the load onto ice

72
Q

What is a halophyte?

A

Plant tolerant to salt

73
Q

What adaptations do halophytes have?

A

Increasing water uptake to balance salt; excreting excess salt out of glands; shedding leaves with high salt levels

74
Q

What is a tropism?

A

Directional growth in response to a stimuli. Controlled by hormones

75
Q

What is a positive tropism?

A

Growth towards stimuli

75
Q

What is a negative tropism?

A

Growth away from stimuli

75
Q

What is geotropism?

A

Growth in response to gravity

75
Q

What is phototropism?

A

Growth in response to light

76
Q

What is chemotropism?

A

Growth in response to chemicals

77
Q

What is thigmotropism?

A

Growth in response to touch

78
Q

What is hydrotropism?

A

Growth in response to water

79
Q

What is an example of phototropism?

A

Sunflowers grow towards the sun, and move in that direction throughout the day.

80
Q

What is an example of geotropism?

A

Roots of plants grow towards gravitational field, whereas stem grows away from gravitational field.

81
Q

What is an example of chemotropism?

A

Growth of pollen through stigma to the ovary is due to presence of sugar.

82
Q

What is an example of thigmotropism?

A

Pea tendrils coil around the object it comes in contact with.

83
Q

What is an example of hydrotropism?

A

Growth of plant roots towards higher relative humidity levels.

84
Q

What is a nastic movement?

A

Movement in response to environmental stimulus but independent to the stimulus direction

85
Q

What is photonasty?

A

movement in response to light

86
Q

What is an example of photonasty?

A

Opening and closing of flowers

87
Q

What is an example of a thigmonasty?

A

Venus fly trap

88
Q

What is a thigmonasty?

A

Movement in response to touch

89
Q

What is a thermonasty?

A

Movement in response to temperature

90
Q

What is an example of a thermonasty?

A

Colour changing flowers throughout the day

91
Q

What is counter current arrangement of blood vessels?

A

Warm blood from heart (in arteries) is cooled by the blood coming from the veins. This means that when the blood reaches the skin, it is always cool so there is minimal loss of heat. This same warm blood warms the insides.

92
Q

What animals have counter current arrangment of blood vessels?

A

Marine mammals: feet, flippers, tails

93
Q

Why is camoflauge a physiological adaptation?

A

Allows animals to blend in with certain aspects of their environment and increases an organism’s chance of survival by hiding it from predators.

94
Q

Why is bioluminesence a physiological adaptation?

A

When light is produced as a result of a chemical reaction, it can lure pray, attract attention or frighten enemies

95
Q

What is torpor?

A

Lowering an organism’s metabolic rate to conserve energy

96
Q

When is torpor usually seen?

A

Difficult conditions such as cold or lack of food

97
Q

What animals exhibit daily torpor?

A

Small mammals and birds

98
Q

What is hibernation?

A

Prolonged period of torpor during winter. Body temperature also significantly drops

99
Q

What is aestivation

A

Summer torpor: survive high temps and scarce water

100
Q

What is a behavioural adaptation for an artic environment?

A

Huddling together to conserve heat

101
Q

What is migration?

A

Moving large distances to seek better food or breeding grounds

102
Q

What are behavioural adaptations for an arid enviornment?

A

Evaporative cooling behaviours such as paw licking or panting
Basking in sun to raise body temperature.
Seeking shade or shelter.
Living in a burrow.
Nocturnal activity.

103
Q

Example of camoflage

A

Common octopus has specialised colour-changing cells

104
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

A system formed by a community of living organisms interacting with one another in a particular place, living with their abiotic factors

105
Q

What is an individual?

A

Unicellular or multicellular form exhibiting all of the characteristics of life

106
Q

What is a population?

A

A group of organisms in the same species that exist and interact at the same time

107
Q

What is a community?

A

Several interaction populations that coinhabit and depend on one another

108
Q

What is a biome?

A

Area of the planet with a similar cliamte and landscape

109
Q

What is a biosphere?

A

ALl regions of the earth occupied by living organisms

110
Q

What is a niche?

A

The role that a species occupies within an ecosystem

111
Q

What does a niche consist of?

A

Role in ecosystem, tolerance limits, requirements for shelter

112
Q

What occurs when niches overlap?

A

Interspecies competiton

113
Q

When there is interspecies competition, what occurs?

A

Evolution by natural selection towards separate niches

114
Q

What happens when there is a large amount of niche overlap?

A

Competitive exclusion. One dies

115
Q

What is the competitive exclusion principal?

A

no two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time

116
Q

WHat is symbiosis?

A

Any kind of close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms. Interspecific

117
Q

What is a symbiont?

A

Organism in symbiosis with another

118
Q

What is mutualism?

A

Both partners benefit

119
Q

What is obligate mutualism?

A

Each species can only live in the presence of another. Completely reliant

120
Q

What is facultative mutualism?

A

Each species benefits but can survive without its partner

121
Q

What is commensalism?

A

One organims benefits the other is unaffected

122
Q

What is parasitism?

A

Non-mutual where one benefits and the other is harmed

123
Q

What is amensalism?

A

Individual species harms another without benefit

124
Q

What is predation?

A

A predator feeds on its prey

125
Q

What are the physiological plant adaptations for an artic environment?

A

High concentraton of solutes that lowers the freezing point of water

Production of anti-freeze proteins that reduce the risk of cell damage

Altering cell membrane lipid composition

126
Q

What is a physiological adaptation in animals to gain water?

A

Greater use of metabolic water, metabolisign fat to produce water

127
Q

What is a physiological adaptation in animals to stop water loss?

A

reduced number of sweat glands, concentrated urine, almost dry faeces

128
Q

What is a physiological adaptation in animals to gain heat?

A

metabolic heat by shivering
reducing bloody flow to extremities by vasoconstriction

129
Q

What is a physiological adaptation in animals to lose water?

A

Evaporative cooling
Increasing blood flow to extremities
Increased body temp during the day

Biology 2 (6 decks)

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