Ecology Exam 3

Question 1

binary fission is used for___and NOT mammals

Answer 1

protists and bacteria

Question 2

binary fission is reproduction thru

Answer 2

duplication of genes followed by division of cell into 2 identical cells

Question 3

explain parthenogenesis

Answer 3

asexual reproduction where embryo is fertilized without sperm (females fertilize w/o males); usually invertebrates like bugs

Question 4

what is the percentage cost of meiosis?

Answer 4

50% reduction in the number of genes passed onto the next generation

Question 5

what is a benefit of sexual reproduction in terms of mutations?

Answer 5

purging mutations-where organisms can lose deleterious mutations during meiosis

Question 6

what is a perfect flower

Answer 6

a flower with both male and female parts

Question 7

what is difference between monoecious and diecious plant?

Answer 7

monoecious plants: separate male and female parts on same flower
diecious: plants contain only male or only female and need a pollinator to reproduce

Question 8

what is a mating system

Answer 8

number of mates an individual has; the pattern of mates so ex. monogamous or polyandrous

Question 9

polygyny (elk) vs polyandry (western toads)

Answer 9

gyny-males with more than one female mate
andry-females with more than one male mate

Question 10

explain extra-pair copulation

Answer 10

individual w/ mate also breeds with others to produce best offspring with better genetics

Question 11

sexual dimorphism (ex. female vs male spiders)

Answer 11

the phenotypic differences in male and female like a female spider being bigger than male bc they have to expend more energy in reproducing

Question 12

primary vs secondary sexual characteristics

Answer 12

primary has to do with fertilization and secondary has to do with differences between sexes in terms of

Question 13

What is the Red-Queen hypothesis?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

pros to group living (3)

Answer 14

increased survival, increased food resources, increased success in mate finding

Question 15

conspecific individuals

Answer 15

individuals of the same species

Question 16

dilution effect (probability of)

Answer 16

predation lowered bc of being in a group

Question 17

what is a lek (reproduction)

Answer 17

a group of males doing courtship displays as a group

Question 18

cons of being in a group (2)

Answer 18

groups are easier to spot and parasite risk goes up bc diseases pass fast

Question 19

why is territory a con to groups?

Answer 19

because it’s very energetically costly to maintain a territory

Question 20

direct vs indirect fitness

Answer 20

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

Question 21

fundamental vs realized niche

Answer 21

fundamental is all range of abiotic conditions that a species CAN persist
realized is all range under which species DOES persist

Question 22

ecological envelope range of ecological conditions….

Answer 22

that are PREDICTED to be suitable for a species

Question 23

cosmopolitan vs endemic species

Answer 23

Cosmopolitan species have a very large geographic range whereas endemic are species that live in a single, isolated location

Question 24

how is dispersal different from migration

Answer 24

dispersal moves to another habitat when it needs to and doesn’t move back. migration is seasonal

Question 25

explain ideal free distribution

Answer 25

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

Question 26

describe basic metapopulation model

Answer 26

an area where patches of habitat are embedded within suitable habitat

Question 27

what is altruism in terms of social interactions?

Answer 27

increases recipient but decreases donor fitness