Unit 3 Flashcards
Explain how global climate differences and biotic factors impacts species distributions across the planet.
Global climate differences and biotic factors, such as the plants and animals in a given ecosystem, can impact the distribution of species across the planet. Climate refers to the average weather conditions in a region, including factors such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Biotic factors refer to the living organisms and interactions between them in an ecosystem. These factors can affect where species are able to live and thrive, and can ultimately determine their distribution across the planet.
Explain how temperature and precipitation drive global species distributions.
Temperature and precipitation drive global species distributions by determining the types of habitats that are suitable for different species. These two factors, along with other factors like biotic interactions and geography, can influence where different species can live and thrive, ultimately determining their distribution across the planet.
Describe the latitudinal diversity gradient.
The latitudinal diversity gradient is a pattern in which the diversity of species, or the number of different species in a particular area, decreases as latitude increases from the equator to the poles. This pattern is observed across many different taxonomic groups, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
What are the 4 hypothesis of the latitudinal diversity gradient?
1.The environmental variability hypothesis, which suggests that higher environmental variability at the equator leads to higher species diversity.
2.The energy hypothesis, which suggests that higher levels of solar energy at the equator lead to higher productivity and species diversity.
3.The area hypothesis, which suggests that the larger land area and longer coastline at the equator provides more habitat for species, leading to higher species diversity.
4.The evolutionary hypothesis, which suggests that the equator has been a center of evolution for longer periods of time, allowing for the development of a greater diversity of species.
Define historical biogeography
Historical biogeography is the study of how species have moved and adapted over time, and how the Earth’s geography and climate have changed and influenced their distribution.
How has time impacted species distributions?
Over time, the Earth’s geography and climate have changed, leading to changes in the distribution of species. For example, the movements of the Earth’s continents, changes in sea level, and the emergence and extinction of land bridges have all influenced the distribution of species. Additionally, climate change has caused shifts in the distribution of species, with some species moving to new areas to find suitable conditions and others becoming extinct as their habitats have changed. Overall, time has had a major impact on species distributions, and the study of this impact is a key focus of historical biogeography.
How does size of a region impact species diversity?
Larger regions tend to have higher species diversity than smaller regions. This is because larger regions provide more habitat for species to occupy, allowing for a greater number of different species to coexist. Additionally, larger regions are more likely to have a greater range of environmental conditions, providing opportunities for a wider variety of species to adapt and thrive.
Why do we see the species-area relationship?
The species-area relationship is thought to arise because larger areas provide more habitat for species to occupy, allowing for a greater number of different species to coexist. Additionally, larger areas are more likely to have a greater range of environmental conditions, providing opportunities for a wider variety of species to adapt and thrive.
How does island size impact extinction rate?
Island size can have a major impact on the extinction rate of species, with smaller islands tending to have higher rates of extinction. This relationship is important for the conservation of island species and the management of island ecosystems.
How does distance from a mainland impact immigration rate?
Distance from the mainland can have a major impact on the immigration rate of species to an island, with closer islands tending to have higher rates of immigration. This relationship is important for understanding the dynamics of island ecosystems and the colonization of islands by species.
What is the equilibrium theory of island biogeography?
The equilibrium theory of island biogeography is a theory that explains the dynamics of species diversity on islands. This theory proposes that the number of species on an island is in a state of equilibrium, or balance, between two opposing processes: immigration of new species to the island and extinction of existing species on the island.
The equilibrium theory predicts that, over time, the number of species on an island will approach a equilibrium value, where the rates of immigration and extinction are equal. This equilibrium value will depend on the particular characteristics of the island, such as its distance from the mainland, its area, and the level of habitat disturbance.
When did life originate on Earth?
~3.5 billion years ago
How old is the Earth?
~4.5 billion years old
How and where did life originate?
The warm little pond hypothesis and the deep-sea hydrothermal vent hypothesis, among others.
What were the four key developments of the Precambrian?
The Precambrian period is the earliest part of Earth’s history, spanning from the formation of the planet about 4.6 billion years ago to the beginning of the Cambrian period about 541 million years ago. The four key developments of the Precambrian include:
1. The formation of the Earth
2. The emergence of the first life forms
3. The development of the atmosphere and oceans
4. The formation of the first continents.
Where did the oxygen in our atmosphere originate?
The oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere originated from the photosynthesis of early life forms, such as cyanobacteria. These organisms, also known as blue-green algae, are thought to have emerged about 3.5 billion years ago. They used energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds and oxygen, releasing the oxygen into the atmosphere
What are the three domains of life?
Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya
What is Archaea?
Single-celled microorganisms
Distinguished from other forms of life by their unique biochemical and genetic characteristics.
Found in a variety of extreme environments, such as hot springs, deep-sea vents, and saline lakes.
When did Archaea originate?
Originated about 4 billion years ago
What is Bacteria?
Single-celled microorganisms
Distinguished from other forms of life by their lack of a cell nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
Found in nearly every environment on Earth.
When did Bacteria originate?
Originated about 3.5 billion years ago
What is Eukarya?
The Eukarya are a group of organisms that are distinguished from other forms of life by the presence of a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles in their cells.
They include a diverse array of organisms, such as plants, animals, and fungi.
Are typically larger and more complex than the other two domains.
When did Eukarya originate?
Originated about 1.6 billion years ago
How do prokaryotes and eukaryotes differ in terms of their cellular structure
Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are the two main categories of living organisms.
Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
Eukaryotes are typically larger and more complex, and have a defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
One main difference:
The structure of their cells
With prokaryotic cells being simpler and smaller, and eukaryotic cells being more complex and larger.
