Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best exemplifies a Type I survivorship curve?
Which of the following best exemplifies a Type I survivorship curve?
- A fish species that lays thousands of eggs, with most dying shortly after hatching.
- A human population with high survival rates throughout most of life, followed by a rapid decline in old age. (correct)
- A songbird population that experiences a constant rate of mortality across all age groups.
- An insect population that experiences high mortality early in life, but higher survival among the few that reach adulthood.
In the context of an ecosystem, which of the following organisms would be classified as a producer?
In the context of an ecosystem, which of the following organisms would be classified as a producer?
- Mushroom
- Fox
- Rabbit
- Tree (correct)
Which of the following organisms would be classified as a primary consumer in an ecosystem?
Which of the following organisms would be classified as a primary consumer in an ecosystem?
- A fox that preys on rabbits.
- A mushroom that decomposes dead leaves.
- A bear that feeds on berries and fish.
- A rabbit that feeds on grass. (correct)
What role do bacteria play in an ecosystem?
What role do bacteria play in an ecosystem?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between a tapeworm and its host?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between a tapeworm and its host?
Which level of ecological organization encompasses all living organisms and their interactions with abiotic factors?
Which level of ecological organization encompasses all living organisms and their interactions with abiotic factors?
Which of the following represents a population in ecological terms?
Which of the following represents a population in ecological terms?
Which of the following abiotic factors is most crucial for photosynthesis?
Which of the following abiotic factors is most crucial for photosynthesis?
A species of frog exhibits a constant mortality rate throughout its life cycle. Which type of survivorship curve would best represent this species?
A species of frog exhibits a constant mortality rate throughout its life cycle. Which type of survivorship curve would best represent this species?
A harmless fly has evolved to resemble a venomous wasp. What type of mimicry is this an example of?
A harmless fly has evolved to resemble a venomous wasp. What type of mimicry is this an example of?
Two toxic species of butterflies that resemble each other is an example of what?
Two toxic species of butterflies that resemble each other is an example of what?
What is the primary role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?
What is the primary role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?
According to Gause’s competition model, what is the likely outcome when two species occupy the exact same niche?
According to Gause’s competition model, what is the likely outcome when two species occupy the exact same niche?
Which of the following best describes the process of resource partitioning?
Which of the following best describes the process of resource partitioning?
What is the primary difference between K-selected and r-selected reproductive strategies?
What is the primary difference between K-selected and r-selected reproductive strategies?
Which of the following factors is considered in logistic growth models but not in exponential growth models?
Which of the following factors is considered in logistic growth models but not in exponential growth models?
What is a common characteristic of species that utilize chemical warfare as a defense mechanism?
What is a common characteristic of species that utilize chemical warfare as a defense mechanism?
An insect suddenly reveals a hidden pattern on its wings to scare off a predator. What type of defense is this insect using?
An insect suddenly reveals a hidden pattern on its wings to scare off a predator. What type of defense is this insect using?
A predator looking like a harmless species is an example of what?
A predator looking like a harmless species is an example of what?
Which competition model explains that prey consumption rate by a predator is directly proportional to prey abundance?
Which competition model explains that prey consumption rate by a predator is directly proportional to prey abundance?
Flashcards
Survivorship Curve
Survivorship Curve
A graph showing the number or proportion of individuals surviving at each age for a given species or group.
Producer
Producer
An organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Consumer
Consumer
An organism that consumes other organisms for energy.
Decomposer
Decomposer
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Parasite
Parasite
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Biosphere
Biosphere
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Ecosystem
Ecosystem
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Keystone Species
Keystone Species
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Gause's Competition Model
Gause's Competition Model
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Resource Partitioning
Resource Partitioning
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Habitat Partitioning
Habitat Partitioning
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Competition-Colonization
Competition-Colonization
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Type I Survivorship Curve
Type I Survivorship Curve
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Type II Survivorship Curve
Type II Survivorship Curve
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Type III Survivorship Curve
Type III Survivorship Curve
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Camouflage
Camouflage
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Chemical Warfare
Chemical Warfare
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Warning Coloration
Warning Coloration
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Mullerian Mimicry
Mullerian Mimicry
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Batesian Mimicry
Batesian Mimicry
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Study Notes
- Survivorship curves graph the number or proportion of individuals surviving at each age for a species or group.
Examples of Ecological Roles
- Producers: Trees, grass, shrubs, flowers
- Consumers: Herbivores (rabbit), carnivores (fox), predators (wolves), apex predators (bears)
- Decomposers: Bacteria, fungi (mushrooms)
- Parasites: Tapeworms, fleas, ticks, dodder
Biosphere
- The biosphere is the global ecosystem.
- It is composed of living organisms and abiotic factors.
- Energy and nutrients are derived from these components.
Ecosystem
- An ecosystem consists of all organisms.
- It also includes the physical environment with which they interact.
- Biotic and abiotic components are linked through nutrient cycles and energy flows.
Levels of Organization
- Minor levels: Atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
- Major levels: Population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
- Biotic factors (living): producers, consumers, decomposers
- Abiotic factors (non-living): climate, water, air, soil, pH levels
Survivorship Curves
- Type I: High survival in early and middle life, rapid decline in later life
- Type II: Constant mortality rate throughout life
- Type III: Greatest mortality early in life
Types of Interactions
- Camouflage: Disguising appearance for defense.
- Chemical warfare: Releasing chemicals for defense.
- Warning coloration: Bright colors signal toxicity.
- Mullerian mimicry: Toxic species evolve to resemble each other.
- Batesian mimicry: Harmless species mimics toxic species.
- Startle coloration: Revealing hidden patterns to scare predators.
- Aggressive mimicry: Predator mimics harmless species.
- Physical defense/barrier: Spines or tough leaves.
Keystone Species
- A keystone species defines an entire ecosystem
Gause’s Competition Model
- Two species cannot have the exact same niche.
- Stable coexistence in a habitat is not possible if niches are identical.
Competition Models
- Lotka-Volterra: Prey consumption rate is proportional to prey abundance.
- Resource partitioning: Division of limited resources to avoid competition.
- Habitat partitioning: Species partition environmental heterogeneity.
- Competition-colonization: Some species are good colonizers, others have strong survival abilities.
Reproductive Strategies
- K-selected: late reproduction, few offspring, high parental care (e.g., primates, humans)
- r-selected: early reproduction, many offspring, little parental care (e.g., insects)
Reproduction Models
- K = Carrying capacity
- Population density is the average number of people in an area.
Exponential vs. Logistic Growth
- Logistic Growth: Considers limits to population growth.
- Exponential Growth: Doesn’t consider limitations to population growth.
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