Ecology

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

is the study of how organisms interact with each other (biotic) and the physical environment (abiotic)

Question 2

Biotic Factors

Answer 2

living component of an ecosystem. Examples?
Predation, competition for resources, mate competition, parasitism, etc.

Question 3

Abiotic Factors

Answer 3

non-living chemical and physical factors. Examples?
Temperature, water availability, sunlight, soil, water chemistry, etc.

Question 4

Abiotic factors are typically density-independent

Answer 4

These factors influence the size and growth of a population reguardless of population density

Question 5

Biotic factors are typically density-dependent

Answer 5

These factors influence the size and growth of a population depending on population density

Question 6

Ecological Heirarchy

Answer 6

Organism – An individual living thing

Population – A group of individuals of the same species living in an area

Community – Populations of different species living together in an area

Ecosystem – Functional system of a community, its non-living environment, and the interactions between them

Landscape – A heterogeneous area including an array of ecosystems

Biome

Biosphere – All living things on Earth and the areas they inhabit

Question 7

Biological Interaction

Answer 7

effect that organisms in a community have on each other

Question 8

Intraspecific

Answer 8

interactions- within a species

Question 9

Interspecific

Answer 9

interactions- between species

Question 10

5 Species Interactions

Answer 10

Predation
Competition
Mutualism
Parasitism
Commensalism

Question 11

Coevolution

Answer 11

reciprocal influence of closely associated species

Question 12

Predation

Answer 12

Members of one species (predator) kills and feeds on members of another species (prey)

Question 13

Predator Prey Interactions

Answer 13

Intense natural selection pressures predator and prey populations to adapt to each other

Question 14

Predator Avoidances (5)

Answer 14

Camouflage

Chemical warfare

Warning coloration

Mimicry

Behavioral strategies

Question 15

Biological Camouflage

Answer 15

Cryptic coloration, patterning, and/or morphology adapted to the environment

Masks location, identity, and movements

Can be seasonal in some ecosystems

Used by both predators and prey

Question 16

Concealing Coloration

Answer 16

organisms blend in with their surroundings

Question 17

Disruptive Coloration

Answer 17

colors and patterns break up outline of organism

Question 18

Countershading

Answer 18

dorsal and ventral coloring differences

Question 19

Poisonous

Answer 19

(passive)- organisms contain toxins within their tissues which is released upon disturbance (eaten, touched, etc.)

Question 20

Venomous

Answer 20

(active)- organisms intentionally deliver toxins via stinger/fang/spine, etc.

Question 21

Aposematic

Answer 21

coloration and pattern displays warn predators that prey are not worth attacking

Question 22

Reverse Countershading

Answer 22

makes organisms conspicuous signaling defensive abilities

Question 23

Why is warning coloration counterintuitive to evolution?

Answer 23

It can make individuals more susceptible to being seen and counters camouflage

Question 24

So how is warning coloration beneficial?

Answer 24

Warning coloration is beneficial to populations rather than individuals

Some individuals will sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the species

Question 25

Mimicry

Answer 25

an evolved resemblance of an organism

Some mimic objects
Some mimic other organisms
Some mimic themselves

Question 26

Batesian Mimicry

Answer 26

a harmless species utilize aposematic coloration, etc. of another species

Question 27

Mullerian Mimicry

Answer 27

Convergence of two species, reinforce the effect

Question 28

Automimicry

Answer 28

imitation of structures like: head, eyes, antennae, etc.
Changes the point of attack on the prey

Question 29

Eyespot Mimcry

Answer 29

resembles eye of another animal, or automimicry

Question 30

Prey Behavioral Tactics

Answer 30

Prey have adapted many behaviors to avoid being eaten
Nocturnal behavior
Startling behavior
“Playing possum”
Distraction
Safety in numbers
Alarm/alert
Mobbing behavior
Autotomy