Ecology Exam 3 Flashcards
binary fission is used for___and NOT mammals
protists and bacteria
binary fission is reproduction thru
duplication of genes followed by division of cell into 2 identical cells
explain parthenogenesis
asexual reproduction where embryo is fertilized without sperm (females fertilize w/o males); usually invertebrates like bugs
what is the percentage cost of meiosis?
50% reduction in the number of genes passed onto the next generation
what is a benefit of sexual reproduction in terms of mutations?
purging mutations-where organisms can lose deleterious mutations during meiosis
what is a perfect flower
a flower with both male and female parts
what is difference between monoecious and diecious plant?
monoecious plants: separate male and female parts on same flower
diecious: plants contain only male or only female and need a pollinator to reproduce
what is a mating system
number of mates an individual has; the pattern of mates so ex. monogamous or polyandrous
polygyny (elk) vs polyandry (western toads)
gyny-males with more than one female mate
andry-females with more than one male mate
explain extra-pair copulation
individual w/ mate also breeds with others to produce best offspring with better genetics
sexual dimorphism (ex. female vs male spiders)
the phenotypic differences in male and female like a female spider being bigger than male bc they have to expend more energy in reproducing
primary vs secondary sexual characteristics
primary has to do with fertilization and secondary has to do with differences between sexes in terms of
What is the Red-Queen hypothesis?
hypothesis that sexual reproduction allows hosts to evolve at a rate that can counter the rapid evolution of parasites; things need to keep evolving in order to survive and keep up with everything else
pros to group living (3)
increased survival, increased food resources, increased success in mate finding
conspecific individuals
individuals of the same species
dilution effect (probability of)
predation lowered bc of being in a group
what is a lek (reproduction)
a group of males doing courtship displays as a group
cons of being in a group (2)
groups are easier to spot and parasite risk goes up bc diseases pass fast
why is territory a con to groups?
because it’s very energetically costly to maintain a territory
direct vs indirect fitness
direct fitness is when individuals gain by passing on genes to offspring
indirect fitness is the fitness gained when helping a relative pass on genes bc those genes are part of individuals as well
fundamental vs realized niche
fundamental is all range of abiotic conditions that a species CAN persist
realized is all range under which species DOES persist
ecological envelope range of ecological conditions….
that are PREDICTED to be suitable for a species
cosmopolitan vs endemic species
Cosmopolitan species have a very large geographic range whereas endemic are species that live in a single, isolated location
how is dispersal different from migration
dispersal moves to another habitat when it needs to and doesn’t move back. migration is seasonal
explain ideal free distribution
individuals distribute themselves among habitats to allow them to get the most resources. they won’t group up in one area and fight for resources there
describe basic metapopulation model
an area where patches of habitat are embedded within suitable habitat
what is altruism in terms of social interactions?
increases recipient but decreases donor fitness
