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
What is meant by kin selection?
Providing resources to related individuals – donor gains indirectly through survival of offspring who have some shared genes
Why do social insects provide resources to their queen?
Queen is related to all members of hive so workers benefit indirectly through queen passing on genes she shares with workers
What is a keystone species?
A species which plays a vital role in the survival of other species in an ecosystem.
Why do primates have long periods of parental care?
To allow for offspring to learn complex social behaviours
What methods are used in social groups to reduce conflict?
Ritualistic display
Appeasement behaviours
Forming alliances
What is meant by ritualistic display?
Making self-look bigger and more threatening e.g. baring teeth, raising heckles, banging chest
What is meant by appeasement behaviour?
Reverse of threat display to show submission. Includes behaviours like grooming,
How can alliances benefit organisms?
Increases social status of individuals which can lead to increased access to food or mates
