Lecture 3: Evolution and Ecology

Question 1

Species

Answer 1

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

means change over time, can be random or influenced by natural selection (biological evolution–genetic change in populations over time, genetic changes lead to changes in appearance, functioning or behavior over generations)

Question 4

Natural Selection

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Adaption

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Mutations

Answer 6

accidental changes sin DNA that may be passed on to the next generation
nonlethal mutations provide genetic variation on which natural selection acts, almost all mutations ARE BAD

Question 7

Phenotype

Answer 7

visible expressed traits

Question 8

Genotype

Answer 8

genetic makeup of an individual

Question 9

Niche

Answer 9

an organism’s use of resources and its functional role in a community. Habitat use, food selection, role in energy and nutrient flow, interactions with other individuals of its niche space.
Some organisms have large niche space and others don’t have specific needs

Question 10

Specialists

Answer 10

have narrow niches and specific needs
extremely good at what they do
vulnerable when conditions change

Question 11

Generalists

Answer 11

species with broad niches
they use a wide array of habitats and resources
they can live in many different places

Question 12

Allopatric Sepciation

Answer 12

species formation due to physical separation of populations
the main mode of speciation
each population gets its own set of mutations
natural selection can speed up this process
natural selection can speed the process
populations diverge–squirrels on islands, once one squirrel and when populations diverge two different colored squirrels are created

Question 13

Convergent Evolution

Answer 13

unrelated species may acquire similar traits because they live in similar environment (coat colors, successful individuals have similar colors to the environment they live in)

Question 14

Coevolution

Answer 14

process in which two species evolve over time in response to one another
become locked in a duel // like an evolutionary arms race

Question 15

Extinction

Answer 15

the disappearance of a species from earth
biological diversity is now lost at an astounding rate

Question 16

Endemic Species

Answer 16

exist in a lot of different places, small or narrow niches and are especially vulnerable to extinction
amphibians have very small ranges
some salamanders only live on one particular mountain

Question 17

Competition

Answer 17

interaction among organisms tat compete for the same resource in an ecosystem

Question 18

Intraspecific Competition

Answer 18

competition between individuals in a population

Question 19

Interspecific Competition

Answer 19

competition between individuals in 2 different species

Question 20

Competitive Exclusion

Answer 20

one species excludes another from using a resource (ex) Zebra /Mussels

Question 21

Adaptive Radiation

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Artificial Selection

Answer 22

the process of selection conducted under human direction

Question 23

Population Density

Answer 23

The number of individuals in a population per unit area
large organisms typically have a low density
small organisms might have higher density–
high density make it easier to find mates but more diseases–lower densities enjoy plentiful resources