Unit 8 Ecology: Animal Behavior

Question 1

Behavior

Answer 1

Is the nervous system’s response to a stimulus and is carried out by the muscular or hormonal system.
Behavior is subject to natural selection

Question 2

Ethology

Answer 2

Study of Animals behavior in a natural environment

Question 3

Proximate Causation

Answer 3

“how explanations”

1. Environmental stimuli that trigger the behavior
2. Genetic and anatomical mechanisms underlying the behavior

Question 4

Ultimate Causation

Answer 4

“why behaviors”

Evolutionary Significance of the behavior

Question 5

Fixed Action Pattern

Answer 5

A sequence of unlearned innate behaviors that in unchangeable.

Question 6

Sign Stimulus

Answer 6

An EXTERNAL CUE that triggers a sign stimulus

Question 7

Kinesis

Answer 7

Simple change in activity or turning rate in response to a stimulus

Question 8

Taxis

Answer 8

More or less automatic, oriented movement toward or away from a stimulus

Question 9

Circadian Rhythm

Answer 9

An Animals internal body clock

Question 10

Signal

Answer 10

Is a behavior that causes a change in ANOTHER animals behavior

Question 11

Common Types of Signals

Answer 11

1. Pheromones (chemicals)
2. Auditory Cues (sounds)
3. Visual Cues
4. Tactile Cues (touch)

Question 12

Communication

Answer 12

Transmission and reception of signals

Question 13

Innate Behavior

Answer 13

Developmentally fixed behavior under a strong genetic influence

Question 14

Habituation

Answer 14

Simple form of learning that involves loss of responsiveness to stimuli that convey little or no infomration

Question 15

Imprinting

Answer 15

Behavior that includes learning and innate components and is generally irreversible
Distinguished by a sensitive period

Question 16

Sensitive Period

Answer 16

A limited developmental phase that is the only time where certain behaviors can be learned

Question 17

Spatial Learning

Answer 17

Is a more complex modification of behavior based on experience with the spatial structure of the environment

Question 18

Cognition

Answer 18

Is a process of knowing that may include awarness, reasoning, recollection and judgement

Question 19

Problem Solving

Answer 19

Is a process of devising a strategy to overcome an obstacle