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Biology 110 Final Flashcards

1
Q

Define a biological population

A

A group of organisms that belong to the same species and that live in the same region at the same time

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2
Q

Why are populations described as dynamic?

A

Their size and composition fluctuate in response to many factors like seasonal/yearly changes in the environment and natural disasters

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3
Q

Provide three examples of properties of a population that can change over time

A

Size, density, and spacing

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4
Q

What is the most accurate way to determine population size?

A

Count all the individuals in the area

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5
Q

What are the two different methods for estimating population size?

A
  1. Quadrat: A small square that is placed on a random spot on the ground. The individuals are counted, and the process repeated until a good sample size is obtained. Then it is multiplied by the number of squares that would fit in the entire area. Used for immobile or slow organisms
  2. Mark and recapture: A set of animals is caught and marked, then a second set is caught, and (the number marked in the first set * the size of the second set) / the number of already marked in the second set = population size
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6
Q

What are the three distribution patterns of individuals, and what are the reasons for them?

A
  1. Random distribution: The position of each individual is independent of others in population. Usually organisms that end up in places by chance, like orb spiders, or dandelions
  2. Clumped distribution: Individuals in a population are concentrated in certain areas because of things like habitats, food sources, reproductive patterns, etc.
  3. Uniform distribution: Caused by strong competition over an abiotic factor, like desert shrubs competing for water
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7
Q

What is exponential growth and when does it occur?

A

An accelerating growth pattern seen in populations where resources are not limiting

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8
Q

What is the equation for exponential population growth?

A

Population growth = r * N, where r is the growth rate and equals birth rate - death rate (J-shaped curve)

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9
Q

How is the logistical model for population growth different from the exponential model?

A

The logistical model shows a leveling off of population growth caused by limiting resources (S-shaped curve)

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10
Q

What is the equation for logistical population growth?

A

Population growth = r * N * (K - N) / K. K is the total amount of individuals the amount of resources can sustain

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11
Q

What is intraspecific competition?

A

Competition among members of the same species. Ex. for plants, water, sunlight, space; for animals, food, water, shelter, mates

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12
Q

Describe how the carrying capacity of a population can change over time

A

Changes in food availability, water, ecological conditions and space.

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13
Q

Distinguish between density-dependent and density-independent factors

A

Density-dependent: The regulation of the population in which birth and death rates are dependent on population size. Ex. during intraspecific competition, reproduction rates will be lower, reducing population’s rate of growth
Density-independent: The regulation of the population in which the death rate is independent of the population size. Ex. Natural disasters, weather, and pollution

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14
Q

Describe 5 anti-predator defense mechanisms that have evolved in prey animal species

A
  1. Mechanical defenses like armor
  2. Chemical defenses like skunks have
  3. Mimicry where harmless species mimic coloration of poisonous species
  4. Shape like the walking stick
  5. Coloration, like white arctic foxes in the snow
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15
Q

Describe 5 anti-herbivory defense mechanisms that have evolved in plant species

A
  1. Mechanical defenses like thorns
  2. Chemical defenses like toxins
  3. Chemical defenses like bad taste
  4. Mimicry where harmless plants have similar coloration as plants with toxins
  5. Mimicry where harmful plants share colorations
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16
Q

Distinguish between Batesian mimicry and Mulleran mimicry

A

Batesian: Harmless species resemble dangerous species. Ex. Normal butterflies mimicking bad tasting butterflies
Mulleran: Two dangerous species resemble each other. Ex. Bees and wasps

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17
Q

What is symbiosis?

A

Close, long-term relationships between two individuals of different species. It may benefit one or both partners

18
Q

Distinguish between mutualism and commensalism

A

Mutualism: Both individuals benefit Ex. Termites benefit from protists that live inside them digesting cellulose; lichen protects algae, while lichen provides nourishment
Commensalism: One individual benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Ex. Birds nesting in a tree; clownfish living in anemones

19
Q

What is parasitism?

A

An organism that uses resources from another individual (the host)

20
Q

What is biodiversity? At what level of biological organization is it applicable?

A

The variety of a biological system, typically conceived as the number of species, but also applying to genes, biochemistry, and ecosystems. It’s applicable at the ecosystem level

21
Q

Distinguish between species richness and relative abundance

A

Species richness: Term used to describe the number of living species living in a habitat or other unit
Relative abundance: Distribution of individuals among the total species in a given area

22
Q

How does species richness relate to area?

A

Depends on island size, distance from the mainland, immigration, and extinction

23
Q

What is a keystone species?

A

Organisms that exert an influence disproportionate to their biomass upon the rest of the community

24
Q

What is ecological succession?

A

The gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time
Primary succession: The succession on land that previously has had no life
Secondary succession: The succession in response to environmental disturbances that move a community away from its equilibrium

25
Q

How is a food chain different from a food web?

A

Food chain: Pattern of feeding relationships; sequence of food and energy transfer
Food web: All feeding interactions in a community; energy flow through an ecosystem

26
Q

Provide definitions for autotroph and heterotroph

A

Autotroph: On organism capable of synthesizing its own food molecules from smaller inorganic molecules
Heterotroph: An organism that consumes other organisms for food

27
Q

What is the productivity of an ecosystem and how is it measured?

A

It refers to the rate of generation of biomass in an ecosystem. It is measured through Gross Primary Productivity

28
Q

What are detritivores and decomposers?

A

Detritivores: Heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus
Decomposers: An organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material

29
Q

Describe 5 major terrestrial biomes

A
  1. Tundra: Treeless biome occurring in areas with cold climates and a short growing season
  2. Boreal coniferous forest: An extensive northern biome occurring in moist climates with cold winters. The boreal forest is dominated by coniferous trees, especially species of fir, larch, pine, and spruce
  3. Desert: A temperate or tropical biome, commonly occurring in the center of continents, and in the rain shadows of mountains
  4. Evergreen tropical forest: Occurs under tropical climates with abundant precipitation and no seasonal drought
  5. Wetlands: Occurs in shallow waters, usually having pronounced seasonal variants of water depth, sometimes including dry periods during which water does not occur at the surface
30
Q

Which climactic variables determine the distribution of terrestrial biomes on Earth?

A

Temperature and rainfall

31
Q

Describe the different types of biodiversity

A

Chemical diversity: The variety of metabolic compounds in an ecosystem
Ecosystem diversity: The variety of ecosystems on Earth
Genetic diversity: The raw material for adaptation in a species, within a gene population, gene pool

32
Q

What is biodiversity crisis?

A

A term used to describe the rapid loss of species and the rapid degradation of ecosystems

33
Q

What is an endemic species?

A

A species native to one place

34
Q

What is extirpation?

A

The condition of a species that ceases to exist in the chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere

35
Q

What is extinction?

A

The disappearance of a species from Earth; local extinction is the disappearance of a species from a region

36
Q

What is food security?

A

It exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life

37
Q

What are Vavilov centers, and why are they important conservation priorities?

A

A geographical area where a group of organisms, either domesticated or wild, first developed its distinctive properties

38
Q

What are exotic species?

A

A species that has been introduced to an ecosystem in which it did not evolve

39
Q

In general, which characteristics allow an introduced species to become established in a new environment?

A

Propagule pressure: If there are a larger number of individuals introduced, and if the introductions are spread out over a long time interval, the organism has a higher chance of being established
Minimum viable population size: A minimum number of individuals are needed to sustain the population and allow it to grow
Climate and environment: An introduced species is only going to survive and do well in an area in which the climate is suitable and if there are sufficient resources available for growth and reproduction

40
Q

What are biodiversity hotspots?

A

A concept originated by Norman Myers to describe a geographical region with a large number of endemic species and a large percentage of degraded habitat

41
Q

Define the goals of habitat restoration

A

Maintaining, restoring, or improving biodiversity; to rebuild a healthy, functioning natural ecosystem that works as it did before it was polluted or destroyed

42
Q

List the steps followed in a habitat restoration project

A
  1. Identify a focal or target species or group of species
  2. Identify the biotic and abiotic resources that are required by the species to persist
  3. Ensuring the availability of resources through time; the nature of the resource will define the temporal scale that must be considered

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