Adaptations to the Environment

Question 1

Conserve in Animals

Answer 1

A response to water stress. Eliminating salts and other toxins often requires water intake and urine excretion. Water loss is reduced through concentrated urine or uric acid contain NH3. LARGE SPECIALIZED KIDNEYS

Question 2

Silt, Clay, Sand: Which ones are the most compacted?

Answer 2

Sand is least compacted (has less surface area) because particles are huge compared to silt, and then clay (which has the most surface area).

Question 3

Soils with … are often best for plants

Answer 3

a mix of types of soils

Question 4

Loam

Answer 4

A mixed soil with 40% sand, 40% silt, and 40% clay

Question 5

Tolerate in Plants

Answer 5

A response to water stress. Tolerating air embolisms in dry environments can help plants survive. Smaller leaves with more major veins reduce the impact of air embolisms

Question 6

Conserve in Plants

Answer 6

Water loss can be minimized by closing or sheltering stomata. C3 photosynthesis vs C4 and Cam photosynthesis

Question 7

C3 Photosynthesis

Answer 7

Use of rubisco, energy loss when stomata are closed, need to keep open more often. Not good in hot, dry environments

Question 8

C4 and CAM photosynthesis

Answer 8

Increase water use efficiency. Different enzyme: PEP (phosphenol pyruvate). Separate photosynthesis into different cells (C4) or different times of the day (CAM)

Question 9

Store

Answer 9

Reaction to water stress. Storing water for later.

Question 10

Reduce Input/Evade/Avoid

Answer 10

Reaction to heat stress, preventing. (waxy cuticle reflecting heat, hiding in a den)

Question 10

Dissipate

Answer 10

Reaction to heat stress. Get rid of. Increased surface area (big ears in jack rabbit) allows for increased gas exchange with the environment .

Question 11

Bergman’s Rule

Answer 11

Smaller organism sizes in warmer environments at lower altitudes (Higher surface area to volume ratio)

Question 12

Tolerate

Answer 12

-Response to heat stress. Ex. Antelope squirrel can tolerate (allow) body temps to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Rare example of poikilothermic endotherm.

-Response to cold stress. Ex. Willow tit tolerates lower body temperatures at night. (Nocturnal hypothermia). Many amphibians can tolerate freeze damage while “freezing cold”. OR Tolerate through hibernation. Individuals reduce energetic costs by lowering heart rate and decreasing body temperatures; common in mammals.

Question 13

Poikilotherm can be interchanged with …

Answer 13

ectotherm

Question 14

Insulate

Answer 14

Response to cold stress (heat conservation).

Question 15

Nutrient Stress

Answer 15

Many strategies for coping with nutrient stress involve biological interactions. Fungal and bacterial associates aid in nutrient acquisition (in exchange for carbon products). Root structure is important

Question 16

Storage

Answer 16

Response to food stress. Ex. Plants store carbohydrates in roots and stems. Ex. Both chickadees and wolverines cache food

Question 17

Phenotypic trade offs

Answer 17

A phenotype well-suited to one environment may be poorly suited to others. Ex. Large tail allows you to swim away faster but is more noticeable. Genetic

Question 18

Phenotypic Plasticity

Answer 18

Ability of a single genotype to produce multiple phenotypes. Depends on honest environmental cues. Detecting and responding to cues takes energy

Question 19

Stable environments favor fixed

Answer 19

phenotypes. In unstable (variable) environments, investment in cues is worth while.

Question 20

Phenotypic plasticity is a response to

Answer 20

biotic and abiotic variation. Rapid responses are often reversible. Slower responses (life history) often irreversible

Question 21

Plastic Foraging Behavior

Answer 21

Different feeding strategies represent different behavioral phenotypes.

Question 22

Optimal Foraging Theory: Central Place Foraging

Answer 22

Organisms should maximize ratio of benefits/costs

Question 23

Optimal Foraging Theory: Risk Sensitive Foraging

Answer 23

Risk of predation can be a cost. Foraging influenced by the presence of predators. Higher risk can be offset by higher food benefits.

Question 24

Dormancy

Answer 24

When normal functions are suspended or slowed

Question 25

Storage, Migration, Dormancy

Answer 25

Strategies to survive extreme variation

Question 26

Migration

Answer 26

Seasonal movement from one region to another. Conditions so severe that individuals cannot acclimate (or necessary changes would be too costly.

Question 27

Dormancy

Answer 27

Reduce metabolism due to conditions that prevent normal functioning.

Question 28

Types of Dormancy

Answer 28

Diapause, hibernation, torpor, aestivation

Question 29

Diapause

Answer 29

Partial or complete physiological shutdown

Question 30

Hibernation

Answer 30

Dormancy during winter in response to cold or difficulty finding food

Question 31

Torpor

Answer 31

brief period of dormancy to deal with cold conditions

Question 32

Aestivation

Answer 32

Dormancy during the summer in response to hot or dry conditions