Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason insects undergo diapause?
What physiological characteristic differs between hibernating mammals and reptiles?
Which concept suggests that not all traits are adaptations to current conditions?
What is suggested by the phrase 'traits should be adequate and sufficient'?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does energy storage play in hibernation for amphibians and reptiles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main focus of eco-physiology?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes homeostasis?
Signup and view all the answers
What does phenotypic plasticity refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
How do conformers manage variations in their environment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which physiological process primarily governs molecular interactions?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about body size is TRUE in relation to physiological processes?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the impact of environmental factors on physiological processes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which strategy do organism use to cope with extreme temperatures?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term describes the maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external environmental changes?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the genetic makeup of an organism?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of phenotypic plasticity is characterized by changes that cannot be reversed?
Signup and view all the answers
Which question is considered a proximate cause in physiology?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of zebra stripes, what hypothesis suggests that stripes provide a cooling effect?
Signup and view all the answers
What limits the distribution patterns of species under environmental stress?
Signup and view all the answers
How does acclimatization differ from acclimation?
Signup and view all the answers
What determines the breadth of optimal environments for a species?
Signup and view all the answers
What do performance curves represent in relation to an organism's critical limits?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is NOT considered when constructing performance curves?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the medium affect heat exchange in ectotherms?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of temperature control do ectotherms primarily rely on?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately describes thermal neutral zones (TNZ)?
Signup and view all the answers
The zone of overlap in rocky intertidal zones suggests what interaction between species?
Signup and view all the answers
What is suggested by the shape of performance curves across different abiotic factors?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group of organisms primarily includes poikilotherms?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Overview of Eco-Physiology
- Eco-physiology, or physiological ecology, studies how physiological systems adapt for survival and reproduction in specific environments.
- Evolutionary physiology focuses on the development of these physiological controls over time.
Physiological Processes
- Governed by physical and chemical laws affecting structure and function.
- Homeostasis maintains internal consistency despite external changes.
Genotype and Phenotype
- Genotype refers to genetic makeup, while phenotype encompasses morphological, physiological, and behavioral expressions.
- Phenotypic plasticity allows a single genotype to result in multiple phenotypic outcomes based on environmental conditions.
Adaptation Mechanisms
- Conformers adjust internal conditions to match external ones, using strategies like basking in the sun or burrowing.
- Regulators maintain stable internal conditions regardless of external environments through feedback loops.
Phenotypic Plasticity
- Can be reversible (acclimation, acclimatization) or irreversible (polyphenism).
- Influences an organism's adaptability to various environmental factors.
Physiological Diversity
- Explores various animal forms and strategies to cope with diverse environments.
- Proximate causes explain mechanisms (how), while ultimate causes explore evolutionary reasons (why).
Competition and Species Distribution
- Biotic and abiotic factors shape species distribution and optimal environmental ranges.
- Tolerance limits dictate survival, influencing community structures and responses to environmental changes.
Performance Curves
- Represent the relationship between environmental conditions and physiological performance.
- Shape indicates how species react to changes in factors like temperature.
Temperature Regulation Strategies
- Ectotherms and endotherms utilize different mechanisms for thermoregulation.
- Behavioural thermoregulation helps ectotherms adjust heat absorption and loss, influenced by surrounding medium (air, land, water).
Cold Adaptation Mechanisms
- Strategies include migration, diapause (in insects), and hibernation for thermoregulation in cold conditions.
- Metabolic rates decrease during diapause, allowing insects to store energy based on environmental cues.
Evolutionary Context
- Adaptive traits arise from natural selection, but not all characteristics are direct adaptations to current conditions.
- Concepts like phylogenetic inertia and exaptation explain traits maintained by selection but not necessarily advantageous under present conditions.
Relevance in Ecology
- Understanding eco-physiology assists in predicting species responses to environmental shifts, crucial in conservation efforts and ecological modeling.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your understanding of eco-physiology, the study of how living organisms adapt their physiological systems for survival in various environments. This quiz covers fundamental concepts such as genotype and phenotype, adaptation mechanisms, and the importance of homeostasis in physiological processes.
