genomes to ecosystems

Question 1

what is an example of an ecosystem service?

Answer 1

coral reefs

Question 2

5 different types of interactions

Answer 2

symbiosis- living close together of two different kinds of organisms.
commensalism- one species benefits, but the other is neither helped or harmed
parasitic mutalisation- one species benefits and the other is harmed
obligate mutualism- cannot survive without a relationship
facultative mutualism- can survive independently without the relationship but not as well. eg coral reefs, as some species benefit from the reefs but do not strictly rely on it.

Question 3

how much of ocean species live in coral reefs

Answer 3

more than 50%

Question 4

what is ecosystem functioning and the 4 services we receive from them?

Answer 4

refers to the capacity of ecosystems to carry out the primary ecosystem processes of capturing, storing and transferring energy, c02 and water.

supporting services- all the ecosystem processes eg energy transfer, nutrient, water and c02 cycling. which are essential to support ecosystem services eg photosynthesis, soil formation.

regulating services- the benefits we get from supporting services if they are sustained eg plants absorb co2 which regulates climate and temperature eg carbon sequestration, waste recycling, climate regulation.

provisioning services- all the goods and services we receive from the ecosystem eg food, water, crops

cultural services- non material benefits people receive from the ecosystem. eg spiritual enrichment and aesthetic experiences

Question 5

the difference between pattern and process in evolution and natural selection?

Answer 5

pattern- changes we see in fossil records over time (homology = skeletons, features inherited from common ancestors)

process- natural selection through ecological opportunity

Question 6

two rules of inheritance to explain how traits are inherited to one generation to the next?

Answer 6

1) law of segregation- when the formation of gametes, the two pair of allele separates into haploid and each gamete receives one allele from each gene. from each parent.
2) law of independent assortment- the genes are assorted differently from each other during gamete formation. leading to a variety of genetic combinations in offspring

Question 7

4 different types of natural selection to understand how traits become more/ less common in population overtime.

Answer 7

1) stabilising selection= intermediate (common) phenotypes and selects against extremes. For instance, in human birth weights, babies of average weight have higher survival rates than very small or very large babies, leading to a reduction in variation over time. mean traits stays the same.
2) directional selection- mean trait moves in response to one direction and intensity of selection. and the least common trait will decrease. eg if larger body size provides an advantage for survival, the population may gradually become larger over generations.
3) disruptive selection- both extreme phenotypes are favoured, and intermediate is selected against, and mean trait. leading to a split with two distinct evolutionary groups. egpopulation of birds where individuals with very light or very dark coloration have advantages, while those with intermediate coloration are at a disadvantage.
4) sexual selection=
intrasexual selection- competition between the same sex, with a high variance in reproductive success eh males for access to mates
intersexual selection- woman choose men for mating is not accepted.

Question 8

meaning of phenotypic plasticity

Answer 8

ability for an organism to change it’s phenotype based on environmental conditions

Question 9

explain the breeders equation in terms of heritilbility

Answer 9

greater heritability of a trait the faster the species can respond to selective pressures.
r= h2 x S
r= evolutionary response
h2= heritability
s= selection difference

h2= 1 it means no environmental influence and the evolutionary response is only determined by genetics
h2=0.5 means only half the evolutionary response is determined by genetics.

Question 10

what is a rapid increase of a species with a common ancestor?

Answer 10

adaptive radiation eg Darwin finches

Question 14

state 3 molecular genetic approaches to help understand evolution and phylogeny?

Answer 14

comparative anatomy- study similarities of body structures.
fossil records- provides a record to how creatures are evolved
the molecular clock- looking into DNA and protein sequences at a constant rate overtime.

Question 15

how haplotypes in isolated populations can provide significant insights into genetic diversity,

Answer 15

haplotypes are groups of SNPs inherited together which makes it easier to identify specific genetic variants that may be associated with traits or diseases.
In isolated populations, reduced genetic diversity can lead to more defined haplotypes. This makes it easier to identify specific genetic variants that may be associated with traits or diseases.

Question 16

different modes of speciation which new species arises

Answer 16

allopatric- new species formed from geographically isolated population
peripatetic (allopatric founder effect)- new species formed from a small population isolated at the edge of a large population.
sympatric- new species arises in same area but may differ in habitat/ behaviour eg adaptive radiation.

Question 17

adaptive radiation event and what triggers this?

Answer 17

ecological opportunities- eg volcanic eruption creating new land
mass extinctions-
environmental change

Question 18

difference between fundamental niche and realised niche

Answer 18

fundemental- because of environmental conditions, this niche is where a organism could survive.
realised- organisms actually survive.

Question 18

what is primary and secondary succession?

Answer 18

primary- forms in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed eg volcanic eruption
secondary- human related destruction or and natural disturbance has destroyed a community eg deforestation and wildfire, agriculture

Question 19

what stops a population growing?

Answer 19

density dependent factors= These factors become more effective as the population density increases (e.g., competition, predation, disease).
density independent factors= nothing to do with size of population, related to abiotic factors eg natural disasters, floods.

Question 20

what’s the term used to describe a maximum population size?

Answer 20

carrying capacity