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Questions and Answers
What does population density specifically measure?
What does population density specifically measure?
- The total number of species in an area
- The rate at which individuals reproduce
- The number of individuals in a defined area (correct)
- The age distribution of a population
Which type of survivorship curve represents species that produce many offspring but provide little care?
Which type of survivorship curve represents species that produce many offspring but provide little care?
- Type II (correct)
- Type I
- Type IV
- Type III
Which factor is NOT considered an abiotic factor influencing population survival?
Which factor is NOT considered an abiotic factor influencing population survival?
- Temperature
- Soil pH
- Water availability
- Food resources (correct)
What describes a clumped dispersion pattern?
What describes a clumped dispersion pattern?
Which type of survivorship curve is expected to flatten out after early high mortality rates?
Which type of survivorship curve is expected to flatten out after early high mortality rates?
What is a key characteristic of a uniform dispersion pattern?
What is a key characteristic of a uniform dispersion pattern?
What primarily controls population growth?
What primarily controls population growth?
How is population size defined?
How is population size defined?
What is the primary characteristic of exponential population growth?
What is the primary characteristic of exponential population growth?
What does homologous recombination involve?
What does homologous recombination involve?
How does genetic variation contribute to a population?
How does genetic variation contribute to a population?
What is the main focus of site-specific recombination?
What is the main focus of site-specific recombination?
What is evolutionary adaptation?
What is evolutionary adaptation?
Which of the following best defines ecological interactions?
Which of the following best defines ecological interactions?
What distinguishes non-homologous recombination?
What distinguishes non-homologous recombination?
What role does recombination play in ecological contexts?
What role does recombination play in ecological contexts?
What is the definition of birth rate?
What is the definition of birth rate?
Which term describes the difference between the number of births and deaths in a population?
Which term describes the difference between the number of births and deaths in a population?
What does under-population refer to?
What does under-population refer to?
Which type of migration involves moving out of a country?
Which type of migration involves moving out of a country?
What is an example of mutualism in nature?
What is an example of mutualism in nature?
What does the fertility rate measure?
What does the fertility rate measure?
What does overpopulation signify?
What does overpopulation signify?
What aspect does life expectancy measure?
What aspect does life expectancy measure?
What does physiological ecology primarily study?
What does physiological ecology primarily study?
Which of the following is NOT considered an abiotic factor?
Which of the following is NOT considered an abiotic factor?
What is the significance of temperature in the context of organism survival?
What is the significance of temperature in the context of organism survival?
How does water availability affect plants and animals?
How does water availability affect plants and animals?
What does population growth indicate?
What does population growth indicate?
Which factor primarily provides energy necessary for heating and photosynthesis in ecosystems?
Which factor primarily provides energy necessary for heating and photosynthesis in ecosystems?
What is an example of an abiotic factor that affects organisms?
What is an example of an abiotic factor that affects organisms?
What role does homeostasis play in physiology?
What role does homeostasis play in physiology?
What is the benefit for clownfish living among anemones?
What is the benefit for clownfish living among anemones?
How do remora fish benefit from their relationship with sharks?
How do remora fish benefit from their relationship with sharks?
What allows orchids to thrive when growing on tree branches?
What allows orchids to thrive when growing on tree branches?
In the relationship between livestock and cattle egrets, how do egrets benefit?
In the relationship between livestock and cattle egrets, how do egrets benefit?
What is an example of a commensal relationship mentioned?
What is an example of a commensal relationship mentioned?
What distinguishes a mutualistic relationship from a commensal relationship?
What distinguishes a mutualistic relationship from a commensal relationship?
What benefit do sharks receive from their association with remora fish?
What benefit do sharks receive from their association with remora fish?
Which of the following relationships is NOT mutualistic?
Which of the following relationships is NOT mutualistic?
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Study Notes
Population Ecology
- The study of populations in relation to their environment
- Examines environmental influences on:
- Population density and distribution
- Age structure
- Variations in population size
Characteristics of a Population
- Population Size: The number of organisms in a population.
- Population Density: Measurement of the number of individuals in an area.
- Survivorship Curves: Represents the number of individuals in a population expected to survive at any given age.
- Type I: Large species with few offspring that receive extensive parental care.
- Type II: Species with many offspring that receive little or no parental care.
- Type III: High mortality rates among young but increased survival rates for those who reach maturity.
Dispersion Patterns
- Clumped: Individuals are aggregated in patches, often for increased hunting or protection.
- Uniform: Individuals are evenly spaced, maintaining a minimum distance from one another, often due to territoriality.
- Random: Spacing pattern based on unpredictability; members of the species less frequently interact.
Population Growth
- Refers to the increase or decrease in the number of individuals in a population over time.
- Influenced by birth rates and death rates.
- Exponential Growth: Population has a constant birth rate with unlimited resources.
- Logistic Growth: Population growth slows and eventually stops as resources become depleted.
Recombination
- Refers to the exchange of genetic material between different organisms, resulting in offspring with traits from both parents.
- Homologous Recombination: Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes (similar size and gene count) during meiosis.
- Non-homologous Recombination (Crossing Over): Exchange of genetic material between non-homologous chromosomes (no homology).
- Site-Specific Recombination: DNA is cut from a specific site using restriction endonucleases and replaced with desired DNA (Recombinant DNA Technology).
Recombination and Population Ecology
- Genetic Variation: Differences in individual DNA sequences that contribute to genetic diversity within populations.
- Leads to new genetic combinations, enhancing adaptability.
- Evolutionary Adaptation: The process of inheritable changes in structure or habits that improve a species' ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
- Recombination plays a crucial role in species adaptation to factors like climate change, resource availability, and predation.
Ecological Interactions
- Mutualism: A relationship where both species benefit.
- Commensalism: A relationship where one species benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor benefited.
Physiological Ecology (Ecophysiology or Autecology)
- The study of how physical factors like temperature, moisture, and light affect the survival and reproduction of individual organisms.
- Examines the relationship between an organism's physiological attributes and its environment.
- Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment in a varying external environment.
Abiotic Factors
- Non-living components of an ecosystem that influence the survival and growth of organisms.
- Include:
- Soil: Provides minerals and nutrients
- Water: Essential for life processes
- Oxygen: Necessary for respiration (except some bacteria)
- Temperature: Organisms generally thrive within a specific temperature range.
- Light: Source of energy for photosynthesis and essential for vision.
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