Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Question 1

Species

Answer 1

a population or group of populations whose members share characteristics and can breed with one another and produce fertile offspring

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

a group of individuals of a species that live in the same area

Question 3

Evolution

Answer 3

a process where populations change over multiple generations as genetic changes alter their physical and behavioral characteristics

Question 4

Natural Selection

Answer 4

a process in which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently to future generations than those that do not

Question 5

Adaptation

Answer 5

the process where, over time, characteristics (traits) that lead to better reproductive success become more prevalent in the population

Question 6

Adaptive trait

Answer 6

a trait that promotes reproductive success (venom, mimicry, behavioral)

Question 7

Mutations

Answer 7

accidental changes in DNA that may be passed on to the next generations

Question 8

What is divergent evolution?

Answer 8

related species in different environments experience different pressures and evolve different traits

Question 9

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 9

unrelated species may acquire similar traits because they live in similar environments

Question 10

Artificial selection

Answer 10

changes under human direction. domesticated dogs, cats, and livestock

Question 11

Biodiversity

Answer 11

the variety of life across all levels of biological organization

Question 12

Speciation

Answer 12

the process of generating new species from a single species

Question 13

Allopatric Speciation

Answer 13

populations become physically separated through separation by plate tectonics, human development, natural disasters damaging habitat (volcanos, earthquakes), moving species, etc

Question 14

Phylogenetic trees

Answer 14

diagrams that show relations among species, groups, genes, etc. by looking at characteristics and DNA. Show how species evolve over time

Question 15

Endemic species

Answer 15

a species that only exist in a certain specialized area (very vulnerable to extinction) (ex: Formosan Rock Macaque, Javanese Rhinos, Paphiodetilum fowliei)

Question 16

Background extinction rate

Answer 16

constant, slow rate of extinction

Question 17

Ecology

Answer 17

the scientific study of:

• distribution and abundance of organism
• the interactions among organisms
• the relationships between organisms and their environments

Question 18

Population ecologists

Answer 18

looks at the dynamics of population change. Where are they? why is it there? how many are there? why are there that many? (distribution and abundance and whats causing that population to change)

Question 19

Niche

Answer 19

an organism’s role in its community includes resource use and interactions with another organism (job)

Question 20

Habitat

Answer 20

the environment where an organism lives

• it includes living and nonliving elements

Question 21

Specialists

Answer 21

species that have narrow niches and specific needs

Question 22

Generalists

Answer 22

species with broad niches

Question 23

Population density

Answer 23

number of individuals per unit area

Question 24

Population distribution

Answer 24

spatial arrangement of organisms within an area
(random, uniform, clumped)

Question 25

Demographers

Answer 25

scientists who study population change, track the four key population factors

Question 26

equation for rate of natural increase

Answer 26

crude birth rate - crude death rate

Question 27

equation for population growth rate

Answer 27

(birth rate - death rate) + (immigration rate - emigration rate)

Question 28

exponential growth

Answer 28

when a population increases by a fixed percent
graphed as a J-shaped curve
- exponential growth cannot be sustained indefinitely
- occurs in nature with
- low population
- small population
- ideal conditions

Question 29

limiting factors

Answer 29

physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the environment that retain population growth. limiting factors slow and stop exponential growth
- disease, shelter, food, etc.

Question 30

carrying capacity

Answer 30

• the maximum population size of a species that its environment can sustain
  
  • an s-shaped logistic growth curve
  • leveling off

Question 31

Density-dependent factors

Answer 31

limiting factors whose influence is affected by population density

• disease, competition, predation

Question 32

density-independent factors

Answer 32

limiting factors whose influence is not affected by population density

• natural disasters, pollution, temperature pH changes

Question 33

The life history theory…

Answer 33

explains how natural selection influences reproduction, survival, and lifespan

Question 34

Type 1 survivorship curves

Answer 34

• few offspring/invest heavily in their survival
  
  • higher death rate at older ages
  • found in stable environments
  • humans

Question 35

Type 2 survivorship curves

Answer 35

• survival rates are equivalent regardless of an organism’s age
  
  • same death rate at all ages
  • birds

Question 36

Type 3 survivorship curves

Answer 36

• many offspring/no care for them
  
  • higher death rate at a young age
  • survival is due to chance
  • changing and unpredictable environments
  • fish, cockroaches, frogs

Question 37

Biotic potential

Answer 37

an organism’s capacity to produce offspring

Question 38

k selected species

Answer 38

• species with long gestation periods, few offspring, and strong parental care
  
  • low biotic potential
  • stabilize at or near carrying capacity
  • good competitors

Question 39

r-selected species

Answer 39

• species that reproduce quickly and offer little or no care for offspring
  
  • high biotic potential
  • populations fluctuate greatly