Evolution Pt.2 Flashcards
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living environmental elements affecting ecosystems, such as climate, latitude, elevation, temperature, humidity, moisture, salinity, and light.
These factors influence the distribution patterns of organisms in ecosystems.
Define climate.
Weather conditions in a particular region over a period of time (>30 yrs).
Climate is a key abiotic factor in determining ecosystem characteristics.
What are biomes?
Large ecosystems or a group of ecosystems in a region on Earth that has a particular combination of biotic and abiotic factors.
Examples include tundra, hot desert, and tropical rainforest.
What are the four major terrestrial biomes in Canada?
- Taiga
- Grassland
- Temperate Deciduous Forest
- [Fill in the blank]
The fourth biome could include other classifications, such as tundra.
What types of ecosystems are included in aquatic biomes?
- Rivers
- Estuaries
- Coral reefs
- Intertidal zones
- Oceans
These ecosystems are influenced by various abiotic factors.
What abiotic factors influence aquatic biomes?
- Water availability
- Depth
- Stratification
- Temperature
- Current
- Tides
These factors determine the characteristics and distribution of aquatic organisms.
What is the ecological niche of a species?
The role a species plays within a community and the total set of biotic and abiotic requirements for survival.
Ecological niches help in understanding species interactions and community dynamics.
What is the Competitive Exclusion Principle?
When species compete to occupy a niche, the more qualified species will displace the less qualified.
This principle explains the dynamics of species populations within shared environments.
Fill in the blank: Terrestrial biomes are found anywhere on Earth that is not covered by ______.
[Water]
This distinction helps categorize ecosystems based on their primary habitat type.
What adaptations might species in a specific habitat exhibit?
- Physical (structural) adaptations
- Behavioral adaptations
- Physiological adaptations
Examples include migration, hibernation, and hormonal changes.
What is the range of an organism?
The area where an organism is found.
Understanding the range is crucial for studying species distribution and habitat preferences.
What domain do humans belong to?
Eukaryota
Organisms that have cells with a nucleus.
What kingdom are humans classified under?
Animalia
Eukaryotic cells with a cell membrane, lacking a cell wall, multicellular, and heterotrophic.
What phylum includes humans?
Chordata
Animals with a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal gill slits.
What subphylum do humans fall under?
Vertebrata
Possessing a backbone to protect the dorsal nerve cord.
What class do humans belong to?
Mammalia
Endothermic vertebrates with hair and mammary glands.
What subclass is specific to humans?
Placentalia
Giving birth to live young after a full internal gestation period.
What order do humans belong to?
Primates
Characterized by a collar bone, forward-facing eyes, and grasping hands.
What family are humans classified under?
Hominidae
Features include upright posture, large brain, and stereoscopic vision.
What genus is associated with humans?
Homo
Characterized by an s-curved spine.
What is the species name for humans?
Homo sapiens
Identified by a high forehead and well-developed chin.
What is a dichotomous key?
Identification keys that use characteristics to identify an organism
Can be structured as a flow chart or step-by-step guide.
Fill in the blank: Characteristics of the __________ key are used to identify an organism.
dichotomous
This method can involve various questions about the organism’s traits.
True or False: A dichotomous key can only be a flow chart.
False
It can also be a step-by-step identification guide.
What are some examples of characteristics used in a dichotomous key?
- Legs
- Number of legs
- Skin type
These characteristics help guide the identification process.
In a dichotomous key, if an organism has no legs, which example might it lead to?
snail
This is part of the identification process based on legs.
What does having opposable thumbs indicate in the identification process?
Bipedalism
This characteristic is often used to differentiate humans from other species.
