Symbiosis, social insects and social behaviour Flashcards
What is meant by symbiosis?
Co-evolved relationship between members of two different species
What are the two types of symbiosis?
Parasitism and mutualism
What is meant by parasitism?
When the parasite benefits by gaining energy or resources and the host is harmed
What is a parasite?
An organism which gains energy from the host at the hosts expense
What is meant by mutualism?
When both species benefit from the relationship
What is a vector?
Carries a parasite from host to host
Why might parasite life cycles involve the use of a secondary host?
no method of locomotion, somewhere for larval stages to live
What are some examples of mutualism?
- Coral polyps and zooxanthella
- Cellulose-digesting bacteria and ruminants
What evidence is there that chloroplasts and mitochondria have arisen from symbiosis?
Contain ribosomes similar to prokaryotes, contain DNA similar to prokaryotes.
What is meant by social hierarchy?
The order of feeding dependant on social status
Why can a social hierarchy be beneficial?
aggression is ritualised, keeps real fighting to a minimum, leads to experienced leadership
What are the advantages of cooperative hunting?
- Larger kills than when hunting alone
- Individuals gain more energy than if hunting individually, Subordinates benefit from share of kill as well as dominant individuals
What are the benefits of social defence?
Increased protection, more chance of seeing predators
What is meant by altruism?
When the donor is harmed by the behaviour but the recipient benefits
What is meant by reciprocal altruism?
When the altruistic act is returned to donor in future
