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.
Friday, August 31, 2007
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.
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