Final Exam Flashcards
Describe the key characteristics of Sponges.
- Built around system of tubes and pores that create channels for water currents
- -Regeneration after injury
- Mostly sessile
- Reproduce both Sexually and Asexually
- Suspension feeders
What is a Phylogenetic tree?
- Branching diagram showing evolutionary relationships among various biological species
- Relationships based on similarities and differences in physical or genetic characteristics
How can Cnidaria reproduce asexually?
1) Budding: Grow off original organism
2) Fission: Existing adult splits into 2 individuals
3) Fragmentation: Parts of adult regenerate to form a complete new individual
How do Cnidaria sexually reproduce?
- Gametes released from mouth of polyp or medusa = Fertilization in open water; Eggs hatch into larvae that become part of plankton before settling and developing into a polyp.
How does asexual reproduction work in sponges?
- Totipotent = (Part of body breaks off)
- Produce buds or gemmules which are a packet with several cells inside a protective cover.
what are Bilateria?
Bilaterally symmetrical at some point in their life cycle, have 3 germ layers and a coelom.
What human activity threaten sponges?
Commercial Fishing Trawlers- They get smothered by sediment from activity
Why is biodiversity important in an ecosystem?
Creates Competition between species
-Keeps an ecosystem balanced
When do cells become specialized?
During Embryonic Development
What is one way animal phyla are distinguished from one another?
By the number of germ layers
What are Germ layers?
layers of cells in a developing Embryo that give rise to specialized tissues.
What are the 5 Kingdoms?
- Animalia (Euk.)
- Plantae (Euk.)
- Fungi (Euk.)
- Monera/ Archaea (Bacteria)(Euk.)
- Protista (prokariotic)
Name of a 12-Million year old species in Danger?
-(Why is it in danger?)
Cycad -It became prey of poaching
How are Bogs created?
Bogs were once covered by glaciers and after the ice melted, the landscape was bare. (Ideal Niche) Pioneer plants colonized surface. Trees then took root after soil developed. With time, minerals, decaying matter and clay particles formed a cemented layer- “Clay Pan”. The Clay pan stopped drainage and rainwater started to collect. Sphagnum moss invaded area and the original forest surrendered to moss and rising water table. Acidity went up and eventually rainwater was the only source of nutrients in area. (Nutrient Deficient)
Example of an Indicator Species in Bogs?
Pollen Grains show the history of the bog since they never decay in sphagnum moss.
What is Mycelum?
Fine White threads (roots) attached to mycorrhizal fungi
What are the 2 kinds of forest fires?
Surface fires and Crown Fires
What is the “Fruiting Body” of a fungus?
The Mushroom
What is an “ideal niche”?
It’s a blank canvas- No competition in the place where you are living
Definition of Motile?
Moves very easily
Most common tree along the edge of the ocean?
Sitka Spruce
What kind of tree resists decay with it’s natural oil that also acts as a fungicide?
Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata)
Why are fungi the “unsung heroes of the ecosystem”?
- They keep populations in control (Parasitic)
- They supply nutrients to the ecosystem (in some cases)
- They assist trees and plants in getting nutrients (Mycorrhizal)
How and why do some broad leaf trees act deciduously?
Act deciduously in order to conserve more water during the winter season. The winter season= not enough water or light for photosynthesis.
-To do this they seal the spots where the leaves are attached (like a cork) so that no extra nutrients reach the leaves.- the chlorophyll begins to disappear from leaves and other colours begin to emerge from leaves (Red, yellow, orange…) The leaves then eventually fall off the tree. (Senescence)
What is an Example of a parasitic Fungi?
Red Belt Bracket Fungi
- Hard woody shelves on logs and tree trunks
- they live off the heart wood of a tree
- Digest cellulose (made of glucose) in order to get sugars. They live off it until exhausting the food supply
What role doe the cap play on a mushroom?
It keeps the spores dry
What is sphagnum moss? Why is it special?
Sphagnum moss is a genus that has 380 species of mosses that can hold up to 20 times it’s dry weight of water. It has many different layers But only the top layer of moss is alive- it grows on top of the dead layers
- It releases an organic acid (Tanic Acid) that bacteria doesn’t like = no bacteria = No rotting.
- Can preserve a dead body for thousands of years
what is Cordycep fungus? How does it benefit an ecosystem? How does it reproduce?
-It’s a fungus that kills insects then grows out of the dead body of it’s prey
-It’s a mediator of ecosystems (makes sure no species gets ahead of another)
- It reproduces Sexually and Asexually
Each species specializes in a different kind of insect, creating an ideal niche for the genus, meaning no competition in between each other.
What is a Climax Species?
A Climax species thrives in the shade of it’s neighbours.
ex: Western hemlock and sword fern
What is Meiosis and Mitosis?
- Meiosis happens through sexual reproduction (n+n= 2n)
- Mitosis happens through asexual reproduction (n)
What tree is drought resistant and needs heat to release it’s seeds from it’s cones?
Shore pine
What is Canada’s only native broad-leaf evergreen tree?
Arbutus
What is a super important nutrient for fungi?
Chitin (From glucose)
-Building Block
What does Lignin do?
It supports the tissues of vascular plants
-(Cement between bricks)
What are the names for the different layers in a forest?
- Canopy: Crowns
- Under-story: Mid-range (height)
- Herb Layer: Right on the Surface