Biological Communites and Species Interaction

Question 1

2 ways of adaptation

Answer 1

Limited range of physiological modifications available to individual organisms

Adaption that operates at population level and is brought about by inheritance of specific genetic traits that allow a species to live in particular environment

Question 2

• Developed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace

* Species change gradually through competition for scarce resources

Answer 2

Theory of Evolution

Question 3

Process in which those members of a population that are best suited for a particular set of environmental conditions will survive and produce offspring more successfully than their ill-suited competitors

Answer 3

Natural Selection

Question 4

• Changing coloration of European peppered moths, Biston betularia
- Until 1850, nearly all of these moths had light-colored wings that closely matched the light bark of the trees on which they rest during the day.

Answer 4

Example of Natural selection

Question 5

• As industrial pollution darkened the trunks of trees around major urban centers, biologists noticed dramatic increase in moths with dark coloration.

Answer 5

Biston Betularia

Question 6

Probably the dark-colored individuals had always been present in the population but were spotted and eaten more frequently by birds when the trees were white.

Answer 6

Biston betularia

Question 7

As tree bark darkened, however , the light- colored moths were at a disadvantage.
- Recently, as factory smoke has been reduced, tree bark is whitening and white moths are becoming more abundant

Answer 7

Biston Betularia

Question 8

Speciation driven by availability of different environmental opportunities.
Difference in appearance, food preferences and habitats

Answer 8

Variety of finches in Galapagos Island

Question 9

Species of Finches

Answer 9

Fruit eaters
Seed eaters
Insect eaters

Question 10

Have thick parrot like bills

Answer 10

Fruit eaters

Question 11

Have heavy ,crushing bills

Answer 11

Seed eaters

Question 12

Have thin probing beaks

Answer 12

Insect eaters

Question 13

What environmental factors cause selective pressure and influence fertility or survivorship in nature?

Answer 13

• Physiological stress due to inappropriate levels of critical environmental factor such as light, moisture, temperature, pH or specific nutrients
• Predation, including parasitism and disease
• Luck
• Competition