Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which groups of snakes evolved infrared thermal radiation independently?
Which groups of snakes evolved infrared thermal radiation independently?
- Pit vipers, cobras, and anacondas
- Pythons, chameleons, and boas
- Vipers, rattlesnakes, and garter snakes
- Boas, pythons, and pit vipers (correct)
What phenomenon involves a reduction in metabolic rate and is influenced by environmental cues in insects?
What phenomenon involves a reduction in metabolic rate and is influenced by environmental cues in insects?
- Hibernation
- Diapause (correct)
- Migration
- Mating
How do aquatic amphibians and reptiles differ in their approach to hibernation compared to mammals?
How do aquatic amphibians and reptiles differ in their approach to hibernation compared to mammals?
- They do not undergo a period of lethargy
- They allow body temperatures to follow environmental temperatures (correct)
- They maintain a constant body temperature
- They require more energy stores than mammals
What term describes traits that are maintained by current selection but did not originate in response to current selective pressures?
What term describes traits that are maintained by current selection but did not originate in response to current selective pressures?
What does the Neo-Darwinian synthesis emphasize as a major force in evolution?
What does the Neo-Darwinian synthesis emphasize as a major force in evolution?
What term refers to the maintenance of internal conditions despite external environmental changes?
What term refers to the maintenance of internal conditions despite external environmental changes?
Which of the following best defines phenotypic plasticity?
Which of the following best defines phenotypic plasticity?
Which type of phenotypic plasticity is characterized as developmental and irreversible?
Which type of phenotypic plasticity is characterized as developmental and irreversible?
What are the two types of questions that physiology seeks to address?
What are the two types of questions that physiology seeks to address?
How do zebra stripes likely aid in their survival according to some hypotheses?
How do zebra stripes likely aid in their survival according to some hypotheses?
What influences the optimal environmental range for a species?
What influences the optimal environmental range for a species?
What does acclimatization refer to in the context of phenotypic plasticity?
What does acclimatization refer to in the context of phenotypic plasticity?
What does the critical tolerance limit refer to regarding species survival?
What does the critical tolerance limit refer to regarding species survival?
What is the primary focus of eco-physiology?
What is the primary focus of eco-physiology?
How do conformers respond to environmental changes?
How do conformers respond to environmental changes?
What is phenotypic plasticity?
What is phenotypic plasticity?
What role does homeostasis play in physiological processes?
What role does homeostasis play in physiological processes?
Which physiological process is likely influenced by body size according to the concept of allometric scaling?
Which physiological process is likely influenced by body size according to the concept of allometric scaling?
What is the main consequence of chemical laws in physiological processes?
What is the main consequence of chemical laws in physiological processes?
What is the relationship between genotype and phenotype?
What is the relationship between genotype and phenotype?
What do performance curves primarily represent?
What do performance curves primarily represent?
Which of the following is an example of a behavioral adaptation for thermoregulation?
Which of the following is an example of a behavioral adaptation for thermoregulation?
Which physiological group lacks constant metabolic rates?
Which physiological group lacks constant metabolic rates?
What is the significance of the zone of overlap in species distribution?
What is the significance of the zone of overlap in species distribution?
What best defines the thermal neutral zone (TNZ) for organisms?
What best defines the thermal neutral zone (TNZ) for organisms?
How do ectotherms regulate their temperature in relation to their environment?
How do ectotherms regulate their temperature in relation to their environment?
Why do ectotherms in water lose metabolic heat more rapidly than those on land?
Why do ectotherms in water lose metabolic heat more rapidly than those on land?
Which factors are most likely to influence the shape of performance curves?
Which factors are most likely to influence the shape of performance curves?
Which statement about poikilotherms is true?
Which statement about poikilotherms is true?
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Study Notes
Eco-Physiology Overview
- Eco-physiology, or physiological ecology, examines physiological controls on ecological phenomena and how environmental factors influence physiology.
- Evolutionary physiology focuses on the development of physiological controls over time.
Environmental Adaptations
- Physiological systems evolve to enhance survival and reproduction in specific environments.
- Organisms adapt to daily and seasonal climate shifts through physiological regulation.
Key Physiological Concepts
- Physiological processes are governed by physical and chemical laws, with homeostasis maintaining internal equilibrium.
- Phenotype results from genotype interacting with environmental conditions, with phenotypic plasticity allowing one genotype to produce multiple outcomes.
Conformers vs. Regulators
- Conformers adjust internal conditions based on external environments and behaviors, such as basking in the sun or burrowing for temperature regulation.
- Regulators preserve stable internal conditions despite external changes, utilizing feedback loops for homeostasis.
Phenotypic Plasticity
- Phenotypic changes can be irreversible (polyphenism) or reversible (acclimation and acclimatization).
- Acclimatization occurs in natural conditions affecting multiple variables, while acclimation relates to controlled environments.
Mechanisms of Physiological Adaptation
- Body size influences biochemical patterns through allometric scaling.
- Biotic and abiotic factors shape species distribution and critical limits, impacting community structure and responses to environmental changes.
Performance Curves
- Performance curves illustrate species' physiological responses across different environmental conditions, including optimal ranges and critical limits.
- Influences on these curves vary, though principles apply broadly across bodily functions.
Temperature Regulation
- Ectotherms (cold-blooded) and endotherms (warm-blooded) exhibit distinct patterns in temperature regulation, influenced by their environments.
- Ectotherms regulate heat absorption and loss based on the medium, with water transferring heat more effectively.
Survival Strategies
- Ectotherms cope with cold through adaptation strategies such as migration, diapause, and hibernation.
- Diapause features reduced metabolic rates and energy self-storage in response to environmental cues, while hibernation allows for temperature fluctuations.
Adaptations and Evolution
- Adaptive traits may not always be optimal; some are results of historical constraints.
- The concept of phylogenetic inertia explains that some traits persist due to past evolutionary advantages, not current selection pressures.
Open Questions in Eco-Physiology
- Two fundamental questions arise in understanding physiology: proximate (how) and ultimate (why).
- The zebra stripe color hypothesis suggests multiple adaptive reasons, including predator confusion and thermoregulation.
Key Takeaways
- Eco-physiology seeks to bridge organismal function and ecological interactions, emphasizing how physiological traits influence adaptation and survival in varying environments.
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