Questions and Answers
What primarily drives population numbers back towards the carrying capacity?
Which component is NOT typically associated with density-dependent factors affecting a population?
What is the expected population growth pattern in a sigmoid growth model during the initial phases?
Which of the following represents an interspecific relationship that benefits both involved species?
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Which example illustrates a type of interspecific relationship?
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What characterizes resource competition between endemic and invasive species?
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What is the role of mycorrhizae in mutualistic relationships?
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In a population, which type of relationship involves resource sharing among individuals for mutual benefit?
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What is the primary diet of gorillas according to their dentition?
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Which type of teeth in chimpanzees is specifically adapted for biting and tearing?
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Which hominid species has a more flexible jaw suitable for a varied diet?
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What characteristic of human dentition makes them suitable for an omnivorous diet?
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What feature of gorilla teeth helps protect against tough plant material?
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How are the incisors of chimpanzees structure-wise suited for their diet?
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Why are teeth considered less susceptible to decomposition?
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What dental adaptation distinguishes herbivorous species like gorillas?
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Which dental feature primarily assists chimpanzees in processing small mammals?
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In terms of dietary habits, what separates humans from strict herbivores like gorillas?
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What does the mark and recapture method help estimate?
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Which assumption must be met for the mark and recapture method to be valid?
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What is meant by carrying capacity?
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Which resource is NOT typically considered a limiting factor for carrying capacity?
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During the mark and recapture exercise, what is the purpose of shaking the box after marking matches?
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If an environment’s food supply decreases, what will likely happen to the carrying capacity?
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What might be a consequence of exceeding the carrying capacity of an environment?
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What is competitive exclusion?
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In the context of intertidal zones, which species is more competitive according to the example given?
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What restricts Chthamalus to the upper intertidal zone?
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What role does adaptation play in ecological niches?
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Which factor contributes to the uniqueness of ecological niches?
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What is an example of a coral reef ecosystem adaptation?
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Which of the following describes the realized niche of a species?
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How do species avoid direct competition in ecosystems?
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What occurs during the death phase of a bacterial growth curve?
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Which of the following is a reason for intraspecific competition?
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What is meant by carrying capacity in an environment?
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What factor can lead to increased intraspecific competition during the breeding season?
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What is a limiting factor in the growth of a bacterial population?
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What is intraspecific competition primarily driven by?
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How do environmental factors like pH and temperature affect bacterial growth?
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What behavior might some species exhibit to secure resources?
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Study Notes
Organic Compounds
- Acetate is a simple carbon compound resulting from plant material decomposition, contributing to methane production.
Dentition and Diet in Hominidae
- Hominidae family includes humans, chimps, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons, with distinct dietary adaptations reflected in their dentition.
- Species possess various combinations of teeth types to efficiently process their specific diets:
- Incisors: Chisel-shaped for cutting and biting.
- Canines: Pointed for holding and tearing.
- Premolars and Molars: Flat and ridged for grinding food.
Dietary and Dentition Breakdown
-
Chimps:
- Diet: Fruits, insects, small mammals.
- Dentition: Small incisors, long canine teeth, large molars for grinding vegetation.
- Specialized jaw muscles for softer foods.
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Gorillas:
- Diet: Leafy vegetation, insects.
- Dentition: Strong incisors, large molars, and premolars for grinding tough vegetation.
- Physical adaptations: Wider face and thick enamel for durability.
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Humans:
- Diet: Varied including fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat.
- Dentition: Moderately sized incisors and canines, flexible jaw structure for diverse diet.
Teeth Composition
- Teeth are highly mineralized with calcium phosphate, providing durability and resistance to decomposition.
Competitive Exclusion Principle
- Definitions and implications of competitive exclusion:
- Two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely; one will outcompete the other.
- Example: Balanus barnacles displace Chthamalus in lower intertidal zones.
Ecological Niches and Adaptation
- Unique ecological niches arise from competition, leading to species adaptations that promote coexistence.
- Coral reef ecosystems illustrate diverse niches, with fish species exploiting various feeding habits and habitats.
Population Dynamics
- Population sizes fluctuate due to density-independent factors, while density-dependent factors regulate population towards carrying capacity.
- Factors include competition for resources, increased predation risk, and pathogen transfer in dense populations.
Population Growth Curves
- Exponential growth occurs in early phases of population development.
- Sigmoid growth curves exemplify population dynamics, noting that idealized models simplify complex systems.
Cooperative and Competitive Relationships
- Intraspecific competition arises from finite resources among individuals of the same species.
- Shared ecological niches can lead to direct competition for food, mates, and territory.
Carrying Capacity
- Carrying capacity defines the maximum sustainable population for a species in a given environment.
- Resource limitations (food, water, space) directly impact carrying capacity, necessitating adaptation among species.
Death Phase in Growth Curves
- The death phase is characterized by increased mortality rates due to nutrient depletion and toxic waste accumulation, leading to exponential cell die-off.
Intraspecific Competition Dynamics
- Limited resources prompt competition within species, common during breeding season for mates.
- Territoriality is a passive or active strategy to secure resources, leading to conflicts among individuals.
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Description
Explore the breakdown of organic compounds, focusing on acetate, and its role in the decomposition of plant material for methane production. Additionally, examine the relationship between dentition and diet among omnivorous and herbivorous members of the Hominidae family, including humans and their close relatives.
