22. What happens in biological magnification?
- A trophic process in which retained substances become more concentrated with each link in the food chain.
23. What would be some of the properties of molecules that could be candidates for biological magnification?
- toxic materials, including synthetics which become even more toxic as they are converted to more toxic products by reaction with other substances or by the metabolism of microorganism.
24. What are possible reasons for global warming call the green house effect?
- Burning fossil fuels and wood; Increased productivity by vegetation is one consequence of increasing Carbon-dioxide levels; Rising atmospheric CO-2 levels may have an impact on Earth’s heat budget.
25. Is depletion of the ozone layer a possible reason for global warming?
- Yes, b/c the result of a reduction in the ozone layer may be increased levels of UV radiation that reach the surface of the Earth.
26. What is the cause for the depletion of the ozone layer? Why is it a problem?
- The destruction of ozone probably results from the accumulation of CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons—chemicals used in refrigeration, as propellant in aerosol cans, and for certain manufacturing processes. The result of a reduction in the ozone layer may be increased levels of UV radiation that reach the surface of the Earth.
27. List several additional disruptive impacts humans have had on the environment.
- Endangered species, water contamination, and decreasing forests.
Friday, August 31, 2007
SHW - Pg. 14
17. ID the role of each of the following in the nitrogen cycle:
a. Nitrogen fixation: The assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by certain prokaryotes into nitrogenous compounds that can be directly used by plants.
b. Ammonification: The decomposition of organic nitrogen back to Ammonium.
c. Nitrification: Oxidation of ammonium to nitrite and then to nitrate.
d. Denitrification: Process which converts Nitrate converted to Nitrite, which returns to the atmosphere.
e. Assimilation: The process of transferring the nitrates from the ground to plants.
18. Why is human population growth at the root of environmental issues?
- Humans introduce many toxic chemicals into ecosystems. Human activities may be causing climate change by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
19. Define eutrophication. Why is it a problem?
- Eutrophication is the addition of a substance which will nurture a population. This is a problem because as the nutrients are extracted from the lake, the population will become less diverse and will not grow to natural state.
20. What is the source of acid rain?
- Humans introduce many toxic chemicals into ecosystems. Combustion of fossil fuels is the main cause of acid precipitation.
21. Why is acid rain a problem?
- Toxic chemicals are ingested and metabolized by organisms and can accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals. These toxins become more concentrated in successive trophic levels of a food web, a process called biological magnification. Many toxins cannot be degraded by microbes and persist in the environment for years or decades.
a. Nitrogen fixation: The assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by certain prokaryotes into nitrogenous compounds that can be directly used by plants.
b. Ammonification: The decomposition of organic nitrogen back to Ammonium.
c. Nitrification: Oxidation of ammonium to nitrite and then to nitrate.
d. Denitrification: Process which converts Nitrate converted to Nitrite, which returns to the atmosphere.
e. Assimilation: The process of transferring the nitrates from the ground to plants.
18. Why is human population growth at the root of environmental issues?
- Humans introduce many toxic chemicals into ecosystems. Human activities may be causing climate change by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
19. Define eutrophication. Why is it a problem?
- Eutrophication is the addition of a substance which will nurture a population. This is a problem because as the nutrients are extracted from the lake, the population will become less diverse and will not grow to natural state.
20. What is the source of acid rain?
- Humans introduce many toxic chemicals into ecosystems. Combustion of fossil fuels is the main cause of acid precipitation.
21. Why is acid rain a problem?
- Toxic chemicals are ingested and metabolized by organisms and can accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals. These toxins become more concentrated in successive trophic levels of a food web, a process called biological magnification. Many toxins cannot be degraded by microbes and persist in the environment for years or decades.
SHW - Pg. 13
10. Why is the open ocean so low in productivity?
- The Average NPP of the Ocean is so low because the ocean’s volume (mostly useless space), in comparison to the amount of producers, is massive. Therefore the NPP is very small.
11. What is secondary productivity?
- The rate at which all the heterotrophy in an ecosystem incorporate organic material into new biomass which can be equated to chemical energy.
12. What happens to the size in each level in the idealized pyramid as energy is transferred through the trophic levels?
- 80–95% of the energy available at one trophic level is not transferred to the next
13. Explain what happens to the energy and biomass as it is passed through the trophic levels?
- This loss is multiplied over the length of a food chain. If 10% of energy is transferred from primary producers to primary consumers, and 10% of that energy is transferred to secondary consumers, then only 1% of net primary production is available to secondary consumers. *Trophic efficiencies must always be less than production efficiencies because they take into account not only the energy lost through respiration and contained in feces, but also the energy in organic material at lower trophic levels that is not consumed.
14. Why is it essential that elements move through biogeochemical cycles in the ecosystem?
- It is essential in order to move nutrients among organic and inorganic compartment and recycle essential chemical elements.
15. What are the major processes that move carbon through the ecosystem?
- Fossilization, Erosion, Respiration, Decomposition, Excretion, Weathering, Assimilation.
16. What is the impact of combustion on the carbon cycle?
- More Carbon Dioxide is readily available, and so there is an increase in Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. Plants have more supply of Carbon Dioxide and so the animals, through assimilation, gain more carbon, and therefore excess carbon is circulated in the carbon cycle.
- The Average NPP of the Ocean is so low because the ocean’s volume (mostly useless space), in comparison to the amount of producers, is massive. Therefore the NPP is very small.
11. What is secondary productivity?
- The rate at which all the heterotrophy in an ecosystem incorporate organic material into new biomass which can be equated to chemical energy.
12. What happens to the size in each level in the idealized pyramid as energy is transferred through the trophic levels?
- 80–95% of the energy available at one trophic level is not transferred to the next
13. Explain what happens to the energy and biomass as it is passed through the trophic levels?
- This loss is multiplied over the length of a food chain. If 10% of energy is transferred from primary producers to primary consumers, and 10% of that energy is transferred to secondary consumers, then only 1% of net primary production is available to secondary consumers. *Trophic efficiencies must always be less than production efficiencies because they take into account not only the energy lost through respiration and contained in feces, but also the energy in organic material at lower trophic levels that is not consumed.
14. Why is it essential that elements move through biogeochemical cycles in the ecosystem?
- It is essential in order to move nutrients among organic and inorganic compartment and recycle essential chemical elements.
15. What are the major processes that move carbon through the ecosystem?
- Fossilization, Erosion, Respiration, Decomposition, Excretion, Weathering, Assimilation.
16. What is the impact of combustion on the carbon cycle?
- More Carbon Dioxide is readily available, and so there is an increase in Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. Plants have more supply of Carbon Dioxide and so the animals, through assimilation, gain more carbon, and therefore excess carbon is circulated in the carbon cycle.
SHW - Pg. 12
5. How does the definition of ecosystems expand on the concept of the community?
- The ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in a community AND the abiotic factors with which they interact with.
6. What is needed to maintain a self-sustaining ecosystem?
- Primary producers, or autotrophs
7. Define the following energy budget terms:
a. Primary productivity - The rate at which light energy or inorganic chemical energy of organic compounds by autotrophs in an ecosystem that ultimately support all other levels; usu. A photosynthetic organism.
b. Gross primary productivity - The total primary productivity of an ecosystem.
c. Net primary productivity - The GPP minus the energy used by the producers for cellular respiration; represents the storage of chemical energy in an ecosystem available to consumers.
8. Which ecosystems have the highest productivity per unit area?
- Tropical rain forests, lakes &streams, and algal beds & reefs
9. What factors do you think contribute to such high productivity?
- They have the most amount of primary producers available and the least amount of consumers.
- The ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in a community AND the abiotic factors with which they interact with.
6. What is needed to maintain a self-sustaining ecosystem?
- Primary producers, or autotrophs
7. Define the following energy budget terms:
a. Primary productivity - The rate at which light energy or inorganic chemical energy of organic compounds by autotrophs in an ecosystem that ultimately support all other levels; usu. A photosynthetic organism.
b. Gross primary productivity - The total primary productivity of an ecosystem.
c. Net primary productivity - The GPP minus the energy used by the producers for cellular respiration; represents the storage of chemical energy in an ecosystem available to consumers.
8. Which ecosystems have the highest productivity per unit area?
- Tropical rain forests, lakes &streams, and algal beds & reefs
9. What factors do you think contribute to such high productivity?
- They have the most amount of primary producers available and the least amount of consumers.
SHW - Pg. 11
Name____________________________ Period _______
Date____________________
CH. 54: ECOSYSTEMS
1. What is meant by the ”trophic structure” of a community?
- The routes of energy flow and chemical cycling.
2. List examples of marine and terrestrial food chains?
Type
Marine
Terrestrial
Primary Producer
Phytoplankton
Algae
Primary Consumer
Zooplankton
Grasshopper
Secondary Consumer
Salmon
Mouse
Tertiary Consumer
Killer whale
Eagle
3. What does a food web show that isn’t indicated by a food chain?
- Decomposer and all the possible routes of energy flow and chemical cycling.
4. What limits the length of food chain?
- the amount of energy that gets transferred from one level to the next.
Date____________________
CH. 54: ECOSYSTEMS
1. What is meant by the ”trophic structure” of a community?
- The routes of energy flow and chemical cycling.
2. List examples of marine and terrestrial food chains?
Type
Marine
Terrestrial
Primary Producer
Phytoplankton
Algae
Primary Consumer
Zooplankton
Grasshopper
Secondary Consumer
Salmon
Mouse
Tertiary Consumer
Killer whale
Eagle
3. What does a food web show that isn’t indicated by a food chain?
- Decomposer and all the possible routes of energy flow and chemical cycling.
4. What limits the length of food chain?
- the amount of energy that gets transferred from one level to the next.
SHW - Pg. 10
11. What is the difference b/t primary and secondary succession?
- PS: Type of ecological succession that occurs in an area where there was originally no organisms.
- SS: Type of succession that occurs where an existing community has been severely cleared by some disturbance.
12. What is responsible for causing most secondary succession?
- Competition among individual species for available resources
13. What is biogeography?
- The study of the past and present distribution of species.
14. What is the relationship b/t island size and species richness?
- Species richness is related to a community’s geographic size. Species richness on islands depends on island size and distance from the mainland.
- PS: Type of ecological succession that occurs in an area where there was originally no organisms.
- SS: Type of succession that occurs where an existing community has been severely cleared by some disturbance.
12. What is responsible for causing most secondary succession?
- Competition among individual species for available resources
13. What is biogeography?
- The study of the past and present distribution of species.
14. What is the relationship b/t island size and species richness?
- Species richness is related to a community’s geographic size. Species richness on islands depends on island size and distance from the mainland.
SHW - Pg. 9
6. Define and give an example of resource partioning.
- The division of environmental resources by coexisting species populations such that a niche of each species differs by one or more significant factors from the niches of all coexisting species populations. Ex. Seven species of Anolis lizards live in close proximity at La Palma in the Dominican Republic.
7. Describe several defense mechanisms to predation in plants.
- Cryptic coloration makes plants harder to find in a environmental background. Aposematic Coloration helps keep predators away by using poisonous chemicals and bright coloration. Bastesian mimicry helps plants seem like a anosmatic coloration plant, but does not have the same protection.
8. Define and give an example of the following animal defenses:
a. Aposematic coloration - The bright coloration of animals with effective physical or chemical defenses that act as a warning to predators.
b. Bastesian mimicry - A type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a different species that is poisonous or otherwise harmful to predators.
c. Cryptic coloration - A camoflouge that makes potential prey difficult to spot against its background.
d. Mullerian mimicry - A mutual mimicry by two unpalatable species
9. Define a keystone species and why they are so important to a community?
- A species that makes an unusually strong impact on community structure, an impact that is disproportional large relative to its own abundance. In other words, they stabilize or control the amount of species in it’s region.
10. Define ecological succession?
- Transition in the species composition of a biologically community, often following ecological disturbance of the community; the establishment of a biological community in an area virtually barren of life.
- The division of environmental resources by coexisting species populations such that a niche of each species differs by one or more significant factors from the niches of all coexisting species populations. Ex. Seven species of Anolis lizards live in close proximity at La Palma in the Dominican Republic.
7. Describe several defense mechanisms to predation in plants.
- Cryptic coloration makes plants harder to find in a environmental background. Aposematic Coloration helps keep predators away by using poisonous chemicals and bright coloration. Bastesian mimicry helps plants seem like a anosmatic coloration plant, but does not have the same protection.
8. Define and give an example of the following animal defenses:
a. Aposematic coloration - The bright coloration of animals with effective physical or chemical defenses that act as a warning to predators.
b. Bastesian mimicry - A type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a different species that is poisonous or otherwise harmful to predators.
c. Cryptic coloration - A camoflouge that makes potential prey difficult to spot against its background.
d. Mullerian mimicry - A mutual mimicry by two unpalatable species
9. Define a keystone species and why they are so important to a community?
- A species that makes an unusually strong impact on community structure, an impact that is disproportional large relative to its own abundance. In other words, they stabilize or control the amount of species in it’s region.
10. Define ecological succession?
- Transition in the species composition of a biologically community, often following ecological disturbance of the community; the establishment of a biological community in an area virtually barren of life.
SHW - Pg. 8
Name____________________________ Period _______
Date____________________
CH. 53: COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
1. How is co-evolution significant in community ecology?
- coevolution describes interactions involving reciprocal evolutionary aadaptations in two species: A change in one species acts as a selective force on another species, and counter adaptation by the second species, in turn, is a selective force on individuals in the first species.
2. Fill in the chart of interspecific interactions.
Interaction
Effects on Population Density
Example
Competition
A -/0 interaction between similar species in which a species compete for resources.
Ex. Lions fighting over territory or mate
Predation
(includes parasitim)
A +/- interaction between species in which one species, the predator, kills and eats the prey
Ex. a lion attacking and eating an antelope
Mutualism
An interspecific symbiosis in which two species benefit from their interaction (+/+).
Ex. nitrogen fixation by bacteria in the root nodules of legumes
Commensalism
An interaction that benefits one species but neither harms nor helps the other (+/0).
Ex. barnacles that attach to whales
3. What is the competitive exclusion principle?
- The concept that when the populations of two species compete for the same limited resources, one population will use the resources more efficiently and have a reproductive advantage that will eventually lead to the elimination of the other population.
4. Describe Gausse’s experiment with Paramecia.
- In this experiment Gausse grew two different Paramecium separately with constant amounts of bacteria added daily for food, populations of the species P. Aurelia and P. caudatum each grow to carrying capacity. But when the two species are grown together, P. Aurelia has a competitive edge in obtaining food, and P. caudatum is driven to extinction.
5. Define ecological niche.
- The sum total of an organism’s utilization of the biotic and abiotic resources of its environment.
Date____________________
CH. 53: COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
1. How is co-evolution significant in community ecology?
- coevolution describes interactions involving reciprocal evolutionary aadaptations in two species: A change in one species acts as a selective force on another species, and counter adaptation by the second species, in turn, is a selective force on individuals in the first species.
2. Fill in the chart of interspecific interactions.
Interaction
Effects on Population Density
Example
Competition
A -/0 interaction between similar species in which a species compete for resources.
Ex. Lions fighting over territory or mate
Predation
(includes parasitim)
A +/- interaction between species in which one species, the predator, kills and eats the prey
Ex. a lion attacking and eating an antelope
Mutualism
An interspecific symbiosis in which two species benefit from their interaction (+/+).
Ex. nitrogen fixation by bacteria in the root nodules of legumes
Commensalism
An interaction that benefits one species but neither harms nor helps the other (+/0).
Ex. barnacles that attach to whales
3. What is the competitive exclusion principle?
- The concept that when the populations of two species compete for the same limited resources, one population will use the resources more efficiently and have a reproductive advantage that will eventually lead to the elimination of the other population.
4. Describe Gausse’s experiment with Paramecia.
- In this experiment Gausse grew two different Paramecium separately with constant amounts of bacteria added daily for food, populations of the species P. Aurelia and P. caudatum each grow to carrying capacity. But when the two species are grown together, P. Aurelia has a competitive edge in obtaining food, and P. caudatum is driven to extinction.
5. Define ecological niche.
- The sum total of an organism’s utilization of the biotic and abiotic resources of its environment.
SHW - Pg. 7
12. Look at the human population growth curve. How does it compare to the growth curves earlier in the chapter?
- In this growth curve has no carrying capacity (overall), like the other curves. Like all the other graphs it increases in population, but in this curve the growth rate is not constant. There are some big-bang reproductions which give a sudden increase in population, and there are sudden decrease in population (ex. The Plague)
13. Have humans reached K? What factors are significant when explaining our growth curve?
- Humans might have reached K, but it is not predictable. The increase in technology have allowed humans to raise the carry capacity level. Sanitation and medicine help the human live longer and thus increasing the population.
14. Look at the age structure diagrams of different countries. How might the age structure influence policy?
- Kenya has a large fraction of individuals who are young and likely to reproduce in the near future. In contrast, Italy’s population is distributed more evenly through all age classes, with a moderate proportion of individuals beyond prime reproductive years. The US has a fairly even age distribution.
- In this growth curve has no carrying capacity (overall), like the other curves. Like all the other graphs it increases in population, but in this curve the growth rate is not constant. There are some big-bang reproductions which give a sudden increase in population, and there are sudden decrease in population (ex. The Plague)
13. Have humans reached K? What factors are significant when explaining our growth curve?
- Humans might have reached K, but it is not predictable. The increase in technology have allowed humans to raise the carry capacity level. Sanitation and medicine help the human live longer and thus increasing the population.
14. Look at the age structure diagrams of different countries. How might the age structure influence policy?
- Kenya has a large fraction of individuals who are young and likely to reproduce in the near future. In contrast, Italy’s population is distributed more evenly through all age classes, with a moderate proportion of individuals beyond prime reproductive years. The US has a fairly even age distribution.
SHW - Pg. 6
6. Define carrying capacity
- The maximum population size that can be supported by the resources.
7. Write the formula for population growth with limits. Define the terms.
- dN/dt = rmaxN
The maximum growth rate for the population (rmax), called the intrinsic rate of increase.
If N represents population size, and t represents time, then DN is the change is population size and Dt is the time interval
8. What happens to a population when the number of individuals approaches carrying capacity?
- The population will have to stop growing, or individuals must die.
9. Compare K-selected to r-selected species. Give examples of each.
- K-selected: aka equilibrial populations, those that are likely to be living at a density near the limit imposed by their resources.
- r-selected: aka opportunistic populations, likely to be found in variable environments in which population densities fluctuate, or in open habitats where individuals are likely to face little competition.
-Laboratory experiments suggest that different populations of the same species may show a different balance of K-selected and r-selected traits, depending on conditions.
10. ID factors that regulate population size.
- Maturation time, lifespan, death rate, # of offspring produced per reproductive episode, # of reproductions per lifetime, timing of first reproduction, size of offspring or eggs, parental care
11. Compare density-independent and density-dependent factors limiting populations.
- Density-dependent factors have an increased effect on a population as population density increases. This is a type of negative feedback.
- Density-independent factors are unrelated to population density.
- The maximum population size that can be supported by the resources.
7. Write the formula for population growth with limits. Define the terms.
- dN/dt = rmaxN
The maximum growth rate for the population (rmax), called the intrinsic rate of increase.
If N represents population size, and t represents time, then DN is the change is population size and Dt is the time interval
8. What happens to a population when the number of individuals approaches carrying capacity?
- The population will have to stop growing, or individuals must die.
9. Compare K-selected to r-selected species. Give examples of each.
- K-selected: aka equilibrial populations, those that are likely to be living at a density near the limit imposed by their resources.
- r-selected: aka opportunistic populations, likely to be found in variable environments in which population densities fluctuate, or in open habitats where individuals are likely to face little competition.
-Laboratory experiments suggest that different populations of the same species may show a different balance of K-selected and r-selected traits, depending on conditions.
10. ID factors that regulate population size.
- Maturation time, lifespan, death rate, # of offspring produced per reproductive episode, # of reproductions per lifetime, timing of first reproduction, size of offspring or eggs, parental care
11. Compare density-independent and density-dependent factors limiting populations.
- Density-dependent factors have an increased effect on a population as population density increases. This is a type of negative feedback.
- Density-independent factors are unrelated to population density.
SHW - Pg. 5
Name____________________________ Period _______
Date____________________
CH. 52: POPULATION ECOLOGY
1. How can an ecologist estimate the numbers of individuals in a population?
- Using the density and dispersion of the individuals in a population, an ecologist can estimate the numbers of individuals in an area. Or they can use the mark-recapture method.
2. What are some possible difficulties in counting populations?
- Counting is impractical b/c the organisms may be constantly moving, dying, or reproducing.
- Estimation is not accurate, because the dispersion of individuals may vary in certain locations.
3. Describe the patterns of dispersal.
a. Clumped - individuals aggregate in patches
b. Uniformed - individuals are evenly spaced
c. Random - the position of each individual is independent of the others, and spacing is unpredictable.
4. Compare the survival strategies of species and give an example of each type.
a. Type I curve is relatively flat at the start, reflecting a low death rate in early and middle life, and drops steeply as death rates increase among older age groups. (Ex. Humans)
b. The Type II curve is intermediate, with constant mortality over an organism’s life span. (Ex. Squirrel)
c. A Type III curve drops slowly at the start, reflecting very high death rates early in life, then flattens out as death rates decline for the few individuals that survive to a critical age. (Ex. Oysters)
5. Write the formula for population growth without limits. Define the terms.
- DN/Dt = B - D where B is the number of births and D is the number of deaths.
If N represents population size, and t represents time, then DN is the change is population size and Dt is the time interval.
Date____________________
CH. 52: POPULATION ECOLOGY
1. How can an ecologist estimate the numbers of individuals in a population?
- Using the density and dispersion of the individuals in a population, an ecologist can estimate the numbers of individuals in an area. Or they can use the mark-recapture method.
2. What are some possible difficulties in counting populations?
- Counting is impractical b/c the organisms may be constantly moving, dying, or reproducing.
- Estimation is not accurate, because the dispersion of individuals may vary in certain locations.
3. Describe the patterns of dispersal.
a. Clumped - individuals aggregate in patches
b. Uniformed - individuals are evenly spaced
c. Random - the position of each individual is independent of the others, and spacing is unpredictable.
4. Compare the survival strategies of species and give an example of each type.
a. Type I curve is relatively flat at the start, reflecting a low death rate in early and middle life, and drops steeply as death rates increase among older age groups. (Ex. Humans)
b. The Type II curve is intermediate, with constant mortality over an organism’s life span. (Ex. Squirrel)
c. A Type III curve drops slowly at the start, reflecting very high death rates early in life, then flattens out as death rates decline for the few individuals that survive to a critical age. (Ex. Oysters)
5. Write the formula for population growth without limits. Define the terms.
- DN/Dt = B - D where B is the number of births and D is the number of deaths.
If N represents population size, and t represents time, then DN is the change is population size and Dt is the time interval.
SHW - Pg. 4
5. Explain the difference b/t proximate and ultimate causes.
- Proximate causes deal with the animals behavioral response in accordance to a imminent situation.
- Ultimate causes deal with the animals behavioral response in accordance to an over-time situation.
6. In the PowerPoint presentation, why do you think the birds are spaced that particular distance apart?
-
7. List an advantage and a disadvantage of defending a territory.
- adv. : resources, shelter, habitat adaptation, dominance on mates and resources.
-D-adv.: incapability to adapt to another habitat after losing resources, shelter, and mates.
8. What are pheromone and how do they help in communication?
- A small, volatile chemical signal that functions in communication b/t animals and acts much like a hormone in influencing physiology and behavior. They help in communication through reproduction and by releasing hormones to warn other animal in case of danger
9. What are circadian rhythms and how are they of adaptive value?
- A physiological cycle of about 24 hours, present in all eukaryotic organisms. These help an organism adapt to it’s environment; for example behaviors such as sleep help ensure adaptation.
10. Explain the evolutionary adaptation of kin selection.
- Kin selection is the mechanism of inclusive fitness, where individuals help relatives raise young. This shows that an animal’s inclusive fitness is essentially the same as its individual fitness- its fitness based solely on the production of its own offspring.
- Proximate causes deal with the animals behavioral response in accordance to a imminent situation.
- Ultimate causes deal with the animals behavioral response in accordance to an over-time situation.
6. In the PowerPoint presentation, why do you think the birds are spaced that particular distance apart?
-
7. List an advantage and a disadvantage of defending a territory.
- adv. : resources, shelter, habitat adaptation, dominance on mates and resources.
-D-adv.: incapability to adapt to another habitat after losing resources, shelter, and mates.
8. What are pheromone and how do they help in communication?
- A small, volatile chemical signal that functions in communication b/t animals and acts much like a hormone in influencing physiology and behavior. They help in communication through reproduction and by releasing hormones to warn other animal in case of danger
9. What are circadian rhythms and how are they of adaptive value?
- A physiological cycle of about 24 hours, present in all eukaryotic organisms. These help an organism adapt to it’s environment; for example behaviors such as sleep help ensure adaptation.
10. Explain the evolutionary adaptation of kin selection.
- Kin selection is the mechanism of inclusive fitness, where individuals help relatives raise young. This shows that an animal’s inclusive fitness is essentially the same as its individual fitness- its fitness based solely on the production of its own offspring.
SHW - Pg. 3
Name____________________________ Period _______
Date____________________
CH. 51: BEHAVIORAL BIOLOGY
1. Define the two basic types of behavior.
- Behaviors resulting from an animal’s muscular activity, such as a predator chasing a prey.
- Non-muscular activities are also behaviors (Ex. animal secretes a pheromone to attract opposite sex)
2. Compare and contrast instincts and reflexes.
- Reflexes are generally a reaction in response to a stimulus (not acquired through experience), aka genetic programming without environmental influence. Reacting w/o thinking
- Instinct is generally a response which was acquired through experience, aka programming with environmental influence. Reacting w/ thinking
3. What is a fixed action pattern?
- A sequence of unlearned behavioral acts that is essentially unchangeable and, once initiated, is usually carried to completion.
4. Describe the following behaviors:
a. Imprinting - type of behavior that includes learning and innate components and is generally irreversible.
b. Habituation - a very simple type of learning that involves a loss of responsiveness to stimuli that convey
little or no information.
c. Trial and Error - learning through tries and mistakes.
d. Associative Learning - the ability of animals to learn to associate one stimulus with another.
- Classical conditioning: learning to associate an arbitrary stimulus with a reward or punishment.
- Operant conditioning: trial-and-error learning, learning that directly affects behavior in a natural context.
e. Agnostic behavior - a type of behavior involving a contest of some kind that determines which competitor
gains access to some resource.
f. Dominance Hierarchy - A linear “pecking order” of animals, where position dictates char. social behavior g. Altruistic Behavior - The aiding of another individual at one’s own risk or expense.
g. Altruistic Behavior - The aiding of another individual at one’s own risk or expense.
Date____________________
CH. 51: BEHAVIORAL BIOLOGY
1. Define the two basic types of behavior.
- Behaviors resulting from an animal’s muscular activity, such as a predator chasing a prey.
- Non-muscular activities are also behaviors (Ex. animal secretes a pheromone to attract opposite sex)
2. Compare and contrast instincts and reflexes.
- Reflexes are generally a reaction in response to a stimulus (not acquired through experience), aka genetic programming without environmental influence. Reacting w/o thinking
- Instinct is generally a response which was acquired through experience, aka programming with environmental influence. Reacting w/ thinking
3. What is a fixed action pattern?
- A sequence of unlearned behavioral acts that is essentially unchangeable and, once initiated, is usually carried to completion.
4. Describe the following behaviors:
a. Imprinting - type of behavior that includes learning and innate components and is generally irreversible.
b. Habituation - a very simple type of learning that involves a loss of responsiveness to stimuli that convey
little or no information.
c. Trial and Error - learning through tries and mistakes.
d. Associative Learning - the ability of animals to learn to associate one stimulus with another.
- Classical conditioning: learning to associate an arbitrary stimulus with a reward or punishment.
- Operant conditioning: trial-and-error learning, learning that directly affects behavior in a natural context.
e. Agnostic behavior - a type of behavior involving a contest of some kind that determines which competitor
gains access to some resource.
f. Dominance Hierarchy - A linear “pecking order” of animals, where position dictates char. social behavior g. Altruistic Behavior - The aiding of another individual at one’s own risk or expense.
g. Altruistic Behavior - The aiding of another individual at one’s own risk or expense.
SHW - Pg. 2
7. ID factors that are significant to organism distribution and abundance in a lake.
- Depth of water, distance from shore, and open water versus bottom desiccation, climate, freshwater /marine environments; substrate composition can affect water chemistry; physical structure, pH, and mineral composition of soils and rocks
8. What is the difference b/t a lake that is oligotrophic and one that is eutrophic?
- Oligotrophic lakes are deep, nutrient poor, oxygen rich, and contain little life.
- Eutrophic lakes are shallow, nutrient rich, and oxygen poor.
- Depth of water, distance from shore, and open water versus bottom desiccation, climate, freshwater /marine environments; substrate composition can affect water chemistry; physical structure, pH, and mineral composition of soils and rocks
8. What is the difference b/t a lake that is oligotrophic and one that is eutrophic?
- Oligotrophic lakes are deep, nutrient poor, oxygen rich, and contain little life.
- Eutrophic lakes are shallow, nutrient rich, and oxygen poor.
9. Fill in the following chart.
Biome
Abiotic Characteristics
Biotic Characteristics
Tropical Rain Forest
- constant high amounts of rainfall (200 to 400 cm annually).
- precipitation is highly seasonal.
- air temperatures range between 25°C and 29°C year round.
- Animal diversity is higher in tropical forests than in any other terrestrial biome.
- Many trees with epiphytes
Savanna Desert
- low and highly variable rainfall, generally less than 30 cm per year.
- Temperature varies greatly seasonally and daily
- Desert vegetation is usually sparse and includes succulents
( cacti & deeply rooted shrubs.)
-Many desert animals are nocturnal
Temperate Grassland
- Rainfall is seasonal, averaging 30–50 cm per year
- Temperature averaging 24–29°C with some seasonal variation
- vegetation is grassland with scattered trees
- Large herbivorous mammals are common inhabitants.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
- Sufficient moisture for trees to grow.
- Dense stand of trees.
- closed canopy, one or two strata of under-story trees, a shrub layer, and an herbaceous layer
Coniferous Forest (Taiga)
- long, cold winters and short, wet summers
- periodic drought
- home to many birds & mammals
- logged at a very high rate (endangered)
Artic Tundra
- winter is long and cold, while the summer is short and mild
-musk oxen and some migratory birds
Summer HW - Pg. 1
Name____________________________ Period _______
Date____________________
CH. 50: ECOLOGY & THE BIOSPHERE
1. List examples of factors that limit geographic distribution.
A-biotic - Climate (temperature, water, sunlight, wind), rocks & soil, Periodic disturbances
Biotic - Negative interactions with other organisms in the form of predation, parasitism, disease, or competition may limit the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce.
2. Define the terms:
a. Biosphere - global ecosystem: the sum of all the planet’s ecosystems, or all of life and where it lives.
b. Ecosystem - all the abiotic factors in addition to the community of species that exist in a certain area.
c. Community - all the organisms that inhabit an area.
d. Population - a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area.
3. How does dispersal influence distribution?
- The movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or from their area of origin influences distribution. Species introduced to new geographic locations may disrupt the communities and ecosystems to which they are introduced. Species introduced to new geographic locations may disrupt the communities and ecosystems to which they are introduced
4. What are the most important factors influencing terrestrial distribution?
- The geographical distribution of terrestrial biomes is based mainly on regional variation in climate.
All the abiotic factors (listed above), but especially climate.
5. Define: biome
- major types of ecosystems those that occupy broad geographic regions; Ex. taiga, forests, deserts, and grasslands
6. What is the largest biome on Earth?
- Aquatic biomes
Date____________________
CH. 50: ECOLOGY & THE BIOSPHERE
1. List examples of factors that limit geographic distribution.
A-biotic - Climate (temperature, water, sunlight, wind), rocks & soil, Periodic disturbances
Biotic - Negative interactions with other organisms in the form of predation, parasitism, disease, or competition may limit the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce.
2. Define the terms:
a. Biosphere - global ecosystem: the sum of all the planet’s ecosystems, or all of life and where it lives.
b. Ecosystem - all the abiotic factors in addition to the community of species that exist in a certain area.
c. Community - all the organisms that inhabit an area.
d. Population - a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area.
3. How does dispersal influence distribution?
- The movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or from their area of origin influences distribution. Species introduced to new geographic locations may disrupt the communities and ecosystems to which they are introduced. Species introduced to new geographic locations may disrupt the communities and ecosystems to which they are introduced
4. What are the most important factors influencing terrestrial distribution?
- The geographical distribution of terrestrial biomes is based mainly on regional variation in climate.
All the abiotic factors (listed above), but especially climate.
5. Define: biome
- major types of ecosystems those that occupy broad geographic regions; Ex. taiga, forests, deserts, and grasslands
6. What is the largest biome on Earth?
- Aquatic biomes
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