quiz #7

Question 1

what does it mean for predator/prey to evolve around one another

Answer 1

the traits that are advantageous to predators (stamina, speed, ability to kill prey) and prey (ability to escape predator, speed, etc.) will evolve so that the traits in a population that help either the predator or prey will continue to evolve as it is those species that will reach sexual maturity. These traits mean some animals will succeed (survival to reproduce) versus others will not and beneficial genes/traits will evolve over time.

Question 2

define territory

Question 3

what is trophic cascade? using the example of predator reintroduction into Yellowstone national park in the US, explain how this impacted elements in the biosphere across trophic levels (ecosystem), the lithosphere, hydrosphere and the atmosphere. Focus on specific interactions and outline them clearly as well as giving overall impact.

Question 4

define keystone species, what’s the sea otter example?

Answer 4

keystone species: play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem biotic structure by either preventing other species from taking over an area or allowing other, less competitive species to flourish. sea otters eat sea urchins which protects kelp forests and other species

Question 5

is a lack of suitable territory a density-dependent or density independent factor?

Answer 5

density dependent

Question 6

in the short and long term, how does intraspecific competition impact a population?

Answer 6

short-term: density-dependent regulation (territoriality, self-thinning)
long-term: long-term changes as the species adapts to its environment

Question 7

competitors in the same area must have different what?

Answer 7

niches

Question 8

define selective pressures. give examples

Answer 8

environmental resistance factors that affect survival and reproduction. ex: predators, parasites, drought, lack of food

Question 9

define natural selection and biological evolution

Answer 9

natural selection: process of specific traits favouring survival of certain individuals
biological evolution: modification of the gene pool of a species by natural selection over generations

Question 10

define fitness

Answer 10

features (traits) that adapt an organism for survival and reproduction

Question 11

a species faced with new selective pressure can do 1 of 3 things

Answer 11

1) adapt: through natural selection
2) migrate: move to an area with suitable conditions
3) go extinct: if the first two options are not possible

Question 12

which factors determine whether a species can adapt under new conditions?

Answer 12

1) geographical distribution
2) specialization to a given habitat or food supply
3) genetic variation within the population
4) the reproductive rate relative to the rate of environmental change

Question 13

why are r-select strategists more likely to be successful under stressful environments than k-selected?

Question 14

compare the housefly and condor’s vulnerability to rapid environmental change diagram

Question 15

define geographic isolation/how the evolution of new species occurs from it