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Exam 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What determines the geographic distribution of a species?

A

The physical environment dictates survival and reproductive success by influencing energy acquisition, resource availability, and physiological tolerances.

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2
Q

What is the difference between a species’ fundamental niche and realized niche?

A

The fundamental niche is determined by the physical environment, while the realized niche is constrained by biotic interactions such as predation and competition.

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3
Q

What is acclimatization?

A

Acclimatization is the short-term physiological adjustment of an individual to an environmental change, allowing tolerance of temporary fluctuations.

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4
Q

What is adaptation?

A

Adaptation is a long-term evolutionary response at the population level involving genetic changes that enhance survival in a given environment.

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5
Q

What are trade-offs in the context of acclimatization and adaptation?

A

Trade-offs occur because energy allocated to acclimatization may reduce reproductive output, while genetic adaptations may limit flexibility in different environments.

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6
Q

How does body temperature influence an organism’s functioning?

A

Body temperature affects metabolic processes, enzyme function, and overall physiological performance.

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7
Q

What are the mechanisms of heat exchange in organisms?

A
  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation
  • Evaporation
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8
Q

What is the main difference between ectothermy and endothermy?

A

Ectotherms rely on external heat sources, while endotherms generate heat metabolically to maintain stable body temperatures.

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9
Q

What are the three factors influencing water movement in biological systems?

A
  • Osmotic Potential
  • Pressure Potential
  • Matric Potential
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10
Q

How do organisms control water gains and losses?

A

Through structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations that regulate permeability to water loss and uptake.

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11
Q

What challenges do organisms face in hyperosmotic environments?

A

They must excrete large amounts of dilute urine and actively absorb salts to maintain internal balance.

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12
Q

What is the difference between autotrophy and heterotrophy?

A

Autotrophs synthesize their own organic compounds using external energy sources, while heterotrophs consume preformed organic molecules.

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13
Q

What is chemosynthesis?

A

Chemosynthesis is a process where certain autotrophic organisms produce organic molecules by oxidizing inorganic compounds instead of using sunlight.

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14
Q

Outline the steps in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

A
  • Chlorophyll absorbs light energy
  • Water molecules are split, releasing oxygen
  • ATP and NADPH are generated
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15
Q

What adaptations do photosynthetic organisms exhibit in response to light intensity?

A
  • Leaf orientation adjustments
  • Changes in chlorophyll concentration
  • Adaptations in pigment types
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16
Q

What are the trade-offs when a plant controls water loss?

A

Closing stomata reduces water loss but limits CO₂ absorption, affecting photosynthesis.

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17
Q

How does temperature affect photosynthetic rates?

A

Temperature influences enzyme activity and chloroplast membrane fluidity, affecting overall photosynthesis efficiency.

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18
Q

How does temperature affect photosynthesis?

A

Temperature influences enzyme activity and chloroplast membrane fluidity

Low temperatures reduce enzyme activity, while high temperatures can denature enzymes.

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19
Q

What happens to photosynthesis at low temperatures?

A

Reduces enzyme activity, slows photosynthesis, and can damage cellular structures due to ice formation.

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20
Q

What are optimal temperatures for photosynthesis?

A

Allow for maximum enzyme function and efficient ATP production.

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21
Q

How do high temperatures affect photosynthesis?

A

Can denature enzymes, decrease stomatal conductance, and increase photorespiration.

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22
Q

What adaptations do plants in extreme environments have?

A

Adapted enzymes and membrane structures for functionality in extreme temperatures.

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23
Q

Define photosynthesis.

A

Process of converting light energy into chemical energy, storing it in carbon compounds.

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24
Q

What is photorespiration?

A

Occurs when RuBisCO binds to oxygen instead of CO₂, leading to a loss of fixed carbon.

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25
Under what conditions is photorespiration detrimental to plant growth?
High temperatures, drought, and low CO₂ availability.
26
What mechanisms have C4 and CAM plants evolved to minimize photorespiration?
C4 plants separate carbon fixation from the Calvin cycle, while CAM plants fix CO₂ at night.
27
What is the C4 photosynthetic pathway?
An adaptation that reduces photorespiration by separating carbon fixation from the Calvin cycle.
28
What biochemical adaptation do C4 plants utilize?
Use PEP carboxylase instead of RuBisCO to initially fix CO₂.
29
Describe Kranz anatomy in C4 plants.
Specialized leaf anatomy where bundle-sheath cells surround veins, optimizing RuBisCO function.
30
How does CAM photosynthesis reduce water loss?
Stomata open at night for CO₂ uptake, closing during the day to conserve water.
31
What is the significance of the chemical makeup of food for heterotrophs?
Determines nutritional value, affecting energy yield and survival strategies.
32
List the macronutrients important for heterotrophs.
* Proteins * Lipids * Carbohydrates
33
What morphological adaptations do heterotrophs exhibit for food acquisition?
* Teeth specialization * Beak variations * Digestive system specialization
34
How do behavioral adaptations improve food acquisition in heterotrophs?
* Hunting strategies * Foraging techniques * Migration for food resources
35
Explain how digestive system complexity affects energy assimilation in heterotrophs.
More complex systems allow for better breakdown of food, enhancing nutrient absorption.
36
What are the stages of an organism's life history?
* Birth and Early Development * Growth and Maturation * Reproduction * Senescence and Death
37
How do genetics and the environment influence life history traits?
Genetics determine potential growth and reproductive strategies, while the environment affects expression.
38
What are the benefits of sexual reproduction?
Genetic variation enhances adaptability to changing environments.
39
What are the costs of asexual reproduction?
Lack of genetic diversity makes populations vulnerable to changes.
40
How do complex life cycles benefit a species?
Niche differentiation, dispersal efficiency, and specialized adaptations.
41
What are trade-offs between offspring quantity and size?
r-selected species produce many small offspring, while K-selected species produce fewer larger offspring.
42
How does parental care affect adult functions?
Increases offspring survival but limits resources for adult maintenance and future reproduction.
43
What is the impact of reproductive investment on parental survival?
High investment can reduce lifespan or body condition.
44
How does natural selection influence adaptive behavior?
Favors behaviors that enhance survival and reproductive success.
45
What is the role of genetics and environment in behavior?
Genetics provide a foundation, while environment shapes behavior expression.
46
What is optimal foraging theory?
Organisms maximize energy intake per foraging effort while minimizing costs.
47
What factors influence optimal foraging?
* Energy content of food * Handling time * Predation risk * Search time
48
What does the marginal value theorem predict?
When a forager should leave a food patch based on diminishing returns.
49
How does predation risk affect foraging behavior?
Increased vigilance, group foraging, and trade-offs in habitat selection.
50
What behaviors enhance mating success in animals?
* Courtship displays * Aggressive competition * Resource-based mating
51
Why is mate selectivity important?
Enhances reproductive success and ensures genetic fitness.
52
What strategies do animals employ to enhance mating success?
Animals employ various strategies including: * Courtship displays * Aggressive competition * Resource-based mating ## Footnote These behaviors increase reproductive success by ensuring access to mates or demonstrating genetic fitness.
53
How does reproductive investment influence mate choice?
Females choose high-quality mates to maximize offspring survival due to high reproductive investment, while males often compete for multiple mates to maximize reproductive output. ## Footnote This leads to the evolution of traits such as bright coloration and song complexity in males.
54
What are the different mating systems and conditions that favor them?
Mating systems include: * Monogamy: Favored when offspring require biparental care * Polygyny: Favored when males can dominate multiple females * Polyandry: Favored for genetic diversity ## Footnote Environmental conditions and resource distribution influence these systems.
55
What are the potential benefits of living in groups for species?
Benefits of living in groups include: * Increased vigilance against predators * Cooperative hunting and food sharing * Enhanced care for offspring ## Footnote These benefits must be weighed against the costs of group living.
56
What are the costs associated with living in groups?
Costs of living in groups include: * Increased competition for resources * Higher risk of disease transmission * Social conflicts and hierarchy struggles ## Footnote Group living balances these trade-offs depending on ecological pressures.
57
Define the term 'population'.
Population: A group of individuals of the same species living in a defined geographic area. ## Footnote Population size and density influence species interactions and ecosystem structure.
58
What is the difference between clones, genets, and ramets?
Definitions: * Clones: Genetically identical individuals from a single ancestor * Genets: Genetically distinct individuals from one fertilized egg * Ramets: Physiologically independent units of a genet ## Footnote An example is a grove of aspen trees being a single genet composed of multiple ramets.
59
What are the methods used to measure the abundance of individuals within populations?
Methods include: * Quadrat Sampling * Mark-Recapture Method * Distance Sampling ## Footnote Each method varies in accuracy depending on species and environment.
60
Describe the relationship between populations, metapopulations, and geographic ranges.
Population: A single interbreeding group in a specific area. Metapopulation: A collection of populations linked by dispersal. Geographic Range: Total area occupied by a species. ## Footnote Metapopulations enhance species persistence through gene flow.
61
What are the different dispersion patterns of populations?
Dispersion patterns include: * Clumped * Uniform * Random ## Footnote These patterns influence competition and resource use.
62
What factors determine habitat suitability for populations?
Habitat suitability depends on: * Abiotic Factors: Climate, soil, water availability * Biotic Factors: Predation, competition, mutualism * Disturbances: Fire, storms, human activity ## Footnote These interactions shape species distributions.
63
What is the significance of dispersal and migration for species distributions?
Dispersal is the movement away from the origin, while migration involves seasonal movements in response to resources. These processes influence species distributions over time. ## Footnote Human-assisted dispersal can lead to invasive species.
64
How do colonization and extinction rates affect metapopulations?
Metapopulation dynamics depend on: * Colonization: Establishment of new populations * Extinction: Loss of local populations ## Footnote The balance between these rates determines long-term persistence.
65
What are density-independent factors?
Density-independent factors include: * Climate fluctuations * Natural disasters * Human impacts ## Footnote These factors affect population growth regardless of density.
66
Define logistic growth and compare it to exponential growth.
Logistic growth accounts for environmental limits and stabilizes at carrying capacity, while exponential growth occurs without limits. Logistic growth slows as resources become limited. ## Footnote This makes logistic growth a more realistic model for most populations.
67
What is the role of life tables in population dynamics?
Life tables provide information on: * Survival rates * Fertility rates * Population projections ## Footnote They are essential for studying population dynamics.
68
What are the three types of survivorship curves?
Survivorship curves include: * Type I: High early survival, steep decline in old age * Type II: Constant mortality rate * Type III: High juvenile mortality, increased adult survival ## Footnote These reflect species' life history strategies.
69
What is photorespiration?
A process where RuBisCO binds oxygen instead of CO₂, reducing photosynthetic efficiency.
70
Define C4 Photosynthesis.
A modified photosynthetic pathway that minimizes photorespiration by spatially separating carbon fixation from the Calvin cycle.
71
What is Kranz Anatomy?
Specialized leaf structure in C4 plants where bundle-sheath cells concentrate CO₂ for RuBisCO.
72
What is the role of PEP Carboxylase?
An enzyme in C4 and CAM plants that efficiently fixes CO₂ at low concentrations.
73
Describe CAM Photosynthesis.
A water-conserving photosynthetic pathway in which CO₂ is stored at night and used during the day.
74
What is oxaloacetate?
A four-carbon compound formed in C4 and CAM pathways as an intermediate in CO₂ fixation.
75
What are Bundle-Sheath Cells?
Cells in C4 plants where CO₂ is concentrated for the Calvin cycle.
76
What is temporal separation in CAM plants?
The process of fixing CO₂ at night and utilizing it during the day.
77
Define spatial separation in C4 plants.
The process of fixing CO₂ in one cell type and processing it in another to minimize oxygen interference.
78
What is a Life History Strategy?
The overall pattern of an organism’s reproduction, survival, and growth.
79
What does metamorphosis refer to?
A developmental transformation between juvenile and adult stages.
80
Define r-selected Species.
Organisms that produce many offspring with low survival rates.
81
What are K-selected Species?
Organisms that produce fewer offspring with high parental investment.
82
What is Parental Investment?
The energy and resources allocated to offspring care.
83
What is semelparity?
A reproductive strategy where organisms reproduce once before dying.
84
Define iteroparity.
A reproductive strategy where organisms reproduce multiple times over their lifespan.
85
What is niche differentiation?
The process by which different life stages occupy different ecological roles.
86
What is the Optimal Foraging Theory?
The concept that animals maximize energy intake relative to foraging effort.
87
What does the Marginal Value Theorem predict?
When a forager should leave a patch based on diminishing returns.
88
What is sexual selection?
Evolutionary pressure that favors traits enhancing reproductive success.
89
Define monogamy.
A mating system where one male and one female form a long-term pair bond.
90
What is polygyny?
A system where one male mates with multiple females.
91
What is polyandry?
A system where one female mates with multiple males.
92
What is cooperative breeding?
When non-reproductive individuals assist in raising offspring.
93
What is population density?
The number of individuals per unit area or volume.
94
Define metapopulation.
A set of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal.
95
What is clumped dispersion?
Aggregated distribution due to resource availability.
96
What does uniform dispersion refer to?
Evenly spaced individuals, often due to competition.
97
Define random dispersion.
Unpredictable spacing where resources are evenly distributed.
98
What is a Species Distribution Model (SDM)?
A predictive tool for mapping species ranges.
99
What is dispersal?
The movement of individuals from one area to another.
100
Define migration.
Seasonal movement of species in response to environmental changes.
101
What is habitat fragmentation?
The division of habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
102
What is colonization?
The establishment of a population in a new area.
103
What is exponential growth?
A population growth model with no limiting factors, leading to unchecked increase.
104
What is logistic growth?
A population growth model that incorporates carrying capacity and environmental constraints.
105
Define carrying capacity (K).
The maximum population size an environment can sustain over time.
106
What are population cycles?
Regular oscillations in population size due to biotic and abiotic factors.
107
What is demographic stochasticity?
Random variations in birth and death rates affecting small populations.
108
What is the Allee Effect?
A phenomenon where individuals in a small population have lower fitness due to reduced interactions.
109
Define genetic drift.
The random loss of genetic variation in small populations.
110
What is inbreeding depression?
Reduced fitness due to mating between genetically similar individuals.

Ecology (1 decks)

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