Temperature and Species Distribution
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Which of the following is NOT a primary strategy an organism might use to escape unfavorable environmental conditions, based on the provided information?

  • Implementing camouflage. (correct)
  • Migrating to a more suitable habitat.
  • Undergoing hibernation.
  • Evolving an adaptation.

Acclimation plays a significant role in determining an organism's tolerance to temperature. How does acclimation primarily affect an organism's upper and lower lethal temperature limits?

  • Acclimation ensures the lethal temperature limits remain constant regardless of environmental changes.
  • Acclimation only affects the lethal temperature limits during the reproductive stage of life.
  • Acclimation can cause the lethal temperature limits to vary, providing a buffer against extreme conditions. (correct)
  • Acclimation causes a rapid decrease in both upper and lower lethal temperature limits.

Which life stage is generally MOST sensitive to temperature restrictions, potentially imposing limits on species distributions?

  • Reproductive stage.
  • All life stages are equally sensitive.
  • Development of young. (correct)
  • Adult stage.

Temperature limitations can affect species distributions through various mechanisms. Which of the following is an indirect effect of temperature that influences species distributions?

<p>Increasing susceptibility to disease, predation, or parasitism due to competition near temperature tolerance limits. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the factors that limit species distributions, what aspect of temperature would be MOST relevant in determining whether a species can inhabit a particular area?

<p>The organism's tolerance zone relative to the range of temperatures in the habitat. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The winter distribution of the Eastern phoebe is most directly limited by which temperature-related factor?

<p>Minimum temperature (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary environmental factor determines the distribution of native vegetation on a global scale?

<p>Water availability (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a mechanism that enables drought resistance in plants by reducing water loss?

<p>Stomatal closure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are deciduous trees generally less drought-resistant than conifers?

<p>Deciduous trees lose their leaves during dry periods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe plants that are specifically adapted to drought conditions?

<p>Xerophytes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most direct consequence of stomatal closure in plants during periods of drought?

<p>Reduced water loss (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which adaptation is crucial for seedlings of water tupelo and sycamore to survive in flood-prone areas?

<p>Tolerance to anaerobic soil conditions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The loblolly pine's natural distribution limits are determined by:

<p>Calculated climatic limits. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a primary determinant for the establishment of tree lines?

<p>Consistent mild temperatures (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of ecotypic variation observed in Achillea lanulosa (Yarrow) across different altitudes?

<p>Plants from higher altitudes exhibit smaller growth forms and later blooming when grown in a common garden (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why were transplant experiments among different ecotypes of Achillea lanulosa largely unsuccessful?

<p>The genetic differences among the ecotypes were too significant for successful adaptation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is cold hardiness in plants, and what metabolic changes enable it?

<p>Resistance to winter temperatures achieved through dormancy, leaf shedding, and preventing intracellular freezing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do plants utilize day-shortening in the fall to develop cold resistance?

<p>To initiate metabolic changes like leaf shedding and dormancy, which enhance their cold resistance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What physiological process allows poikilotherms to adjust to seasonal climate changes?

<p>Acclimation, involving adjustments to lethal temperature limits. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a species that does NOT acclimate well to temperature changes?

<p>Chum salmon (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains why insects are able to minimize water loss effectively?

<p>They possess an exoskeleton made of hard chitin covered by a waxy cuticle. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the kangaroo rat (Dipodomys) conserve water in its desert environment?

<p>By eliminating dry feces and scavenging moisture from the air through its nostrils. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does shifting water to the outside of cells or chemically binding water within cells contribute to cold hardiness in plants?

<p>It prevents intracellular freezing, minimizing damage to cell structures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary adaptation that allows reptiles to be successful desert vertebrates?

<p>Their dry skin protected by scales, which reduces water loss. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Compared to a Sierra Nevada ecotype of Achillea lanulosa, what characteristics would you expect to see in an ecotype from a lower altitude?

<p>Earlier blooming and larger growth form (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is evaporative cooling not an ideal adaptation for desert mammals?

<p>It leads to significant water loss, which is detrimental in arid conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of transplant experiments and common garden studies in understanding ecotypic variation?

<p>They help determine the extent to which observed differences are genetically based versus environmentally induced. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do camels adapt to extreme heat?

<p>By allowing their body temperature to fluctuate, storing heat during the day and dissipating it at night. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation allows Antarctic fish (notothenioids) to survive in waters full of ice crystals?

<p>Glycoprotein molecules in their tissue fluids that lower the freezing point. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do some bird species adapt to cold environments?

<p>By fluffing their outer contour feathers to trap air and decreasing their metabolic rate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in temperature affect the kinetic energy of molecules and chemical reactions within an organism?

<p>Increases kinetic energy, accelerating chemical reactions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method by which crustaceans, centipedes, and millipedes eliminate metabolic waste?

<p>Excreting ammonia in water. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following adaptations helps terrestrial animals minimize water loss?

<p>Excreting metabolic waste as insoluble uric acid. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by the thermal properties of water regarding aquatic environments?

<p>Temperatures in aquatic environments are relatively stable due to water's high heat capacity and vertical mixing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What behavioral adaptation is commonly observed in desert-dwelling vertebrates to cope with high temperatures?

<p>Nocturnal lifestyle to avoid the hottest parts of the day. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following consequences can result from high temperatures on biological molecules?

<p>Dissociation of nucleic acids. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the equator receive more direct solar radiation compared to the poles?

<p>Solar radiation strikes the equator directly, while it hits the poles at an oblique angle. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does water's capacity to dissolve inorganic compounds impact living systems?

<p>It makes essential nutrients available for biological processes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do land masses and water bodies differ in their temperature fluctuations?

<p>Land heats and cools rapidly, while water heats and cools slowly. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical rainfall distribution pattern observed globally?

<p>Belt of highest rainfall around the equator, with a secondary belt between 45° and 55° latitude. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Q10 effect in the context of temperature and metabolic rate?

<p>A 10°C increase in temperature leads to a 2-4x increase in metabolic rate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between poikilotherms and homeotherms?

<p>Poikilotherms rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature, while homeotherms maintain a stable internal body temperature. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does rainfall distribution typically vary between the windward and leeward sides of mountain ranges?

<p>Rainfall is higher on the windward side due to orographic lift, creating 'rain shadows' on the leeward side. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental role does liquid water play in the evolution and sustenance of life on Earth?

<p>Liquid water is fundamental because all life processes occur in aqueous media and it possesses thermal and solvent properties vital for life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between acclimation and adaptation in the context of how organisms deal with environmental conditions?

<p>Acclimation is a reversible, individual physiological adjustment, while adaptation is a population-level genetic change over generations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to enzyme stability and function as temperature increases beyond an organism's optimal range?

<p>Enzymes become less stable and may cease to function. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate difference in heat energy per unit area received at the equator compared to the poles due to solar radiation?

<p>The equator receives 40% more heat energy per unit area than the poles. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do daily and annual temperature fluxes differ between the equator and temperate zones?

<p>Daily temperature fluxes are lower at the equator, but annual temperature fluxes are higher in temperate zones. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of hollow hairs in the winter coats of some mammals contribute to their adaptation to cold environments?

<p>Hollow hairs trap air, providing an extra layer of insulation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does photoperiodism influence animal behavior?

<p>It triggers physiological responses like reproduction, migration, and dormancy based on seasonal changes in day length. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of specialized pigments in photosynthesis?

<p>To capture light energy needed to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do CAM plants minimize water loss in arid environments?

<p>By opening their stomata only at night to absorb CO2 and storing it for use during the day. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the compensation point in aquatic environments?

<p>The depth at which the rate of photosynthesis equals the rate of respiration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does silica (Si) affect the ecology of aquatic ecosystems?

<p>Silica is a structural component of diatom tests and is essential for their growth. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are freshwater organisms more reliant on mechanisms to constantly uptake salts compared to marine organisms?

<p>Freshwater has a lower salt concentration than the organism's internal fluids, leading to salt loss through osmosis. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do ion regulators, which are osmoconformers, maintain cellular volume?

<p>By synthesizing or breaking down free amino acids to regulate internal osmotic pressure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limits oxygen concentration in water?

<p>Salinity and temperature directly influence the solubility of oxygen in water. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do frequent fires in North American prairies affect the distribution of tree species?

<p>Fires favor the growth of grasses and other fire-resistant plants, preventing tree establishment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which soil composition variable most directly influences the water-holding capacity of soil?

<p>The relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are serpentine soils considered unproductive for most plant species?

<p>They are high in magnesium, iron, and silicon, but low in calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of climate change on the distribution of long-lived plant species?

<p>Survival in unsuitable habitats for extended periods, with reduced or absent reproduction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the regulated hypothermia observed in black-capped chickadees aid their survival during winter?

<p>By decreasing their body temperature to conserve energy and fat reserves. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the salinity of blood plasma differ from that of cells in living organisms?

<p>Blood plasma has a higher concentration of sodium and chloride ions (Na+ and Cl-) compared to cells. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Evolutionary Adaptation

Changes in organisms that enhance survival and reproduction in their environment.

Temperature Restrictions

Limits imposed by extreme temperatures affecting species distribution and survival.

Lethal Temperatures

Temperature points that cause death in organisms, not fixed and can vary.

Role of Acclimation

Organisms adjusting to gradual changes in their environment, affecting tolerance limits.

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Tolerance Zones

The range of conditions within which a species can survive and reproduce.

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Abiotic Factors

Non-living components in an ecosystem that affect living organisms.

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Temperature Range for Life

Life processes on Earth occur where water is liquid: 0°C to 100°C.

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High Temperatures Effects

High temperatures can cause dissociation of cell membranes and nucleic acids.

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Low Temperatures Effects

Low temperatures can lead to ice formation, destroying cell organelles.

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Q10 Rule

A 10°C increase in temperature leads to a 2-4x increase in metabolic rate.

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Poikilotherms

Organisms whose body temperature varies with the environment.

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Homeotherms

Organisms that maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the environment.

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Role of Water in Life

Liquid water is essential for all life's metabolic processes.

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Thermal Properties of Water

Water changes temperature slowly and conducts heat rapidly.

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Land vs. Water Temperature

Land heats and cools rapidly; water does so slowly.

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Global Rainfall Patterns

Highest rainfall occurs around the equator and specific latitudes.

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Acclimation

Physiological adjustment of an individual to environmental changes.

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Adaptation

Long-term evolutionary change in a population to better fit the environment.

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Rain Shadow Effect

Areas on the leeward side of mountains receive less rain than windward sides.

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Enzyme Stability and Temperature

Enzymes become less stable at higher temperatures and can cease functioning.

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Maximum temperature

The highest temperature recorded in a specific period or location.

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Minimum temperature

The lowest temperature recorded in a specific period or location.

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Average temperature

The mean temperature calculated over a given time frame.

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Variability in temperature

Fluctuations in temperature over time or space.

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Weather migrants

Species that move to different locations based on seasonal weather changes.

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Drought resistance

Adaptations in plants that allow survival with limited water.

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Flooding tolerance

The ability of plants to endure prolonged water exposure.

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Xerophytes

Plants specifically adapted to dry environments with low water availability.

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Water Balance in Terrestrial Animals

Strategies that animals use to prevent water loss in terrestrial environments.

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Arthropod Adaptations

Insects and crustaceans have adaptations to reduce water loss, like exoskeletons and behaviors.

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Metabolic Waste in Arthropods

Different forms of metabolic waste: ammonia in water for some, uric acid for others.

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Kangaroo Rat Adaptations

A desert vertebrate that survives on dry food, eliminates dry feces, and scavenges moisture from air.

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Reptilian Adaptations

Reptiles have dry skin and excrete uric acid to minimize water loss, making them successful desert dwellers.

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Evaporative Cooling in Mammals

Mammals use evaporative cooling to manage heat, but it's not effective in deserts.

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Temperature Regulation in Camels

Camels can adjust their body temperature daily to cope with heat fluctuations.

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Cold Water Fish Adaptations

Antarctic fish use glycoproteins to lower the freezing point of their bodily fluids.

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Bird Adaptations for Cold

Birds fluff their feathers to trap air and minimize heat loss while resting.

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Physiological and Behavioral Adaptations

Vertebrates use nocturnal behavior and high urine concentration to conserve water.

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Tree Line Determinants

Factors affecting the upper limit of tree growth, including soil, climate, and weather conditions.

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Cold Hardiness

A plant's ability to withstand low temperatures by entering dormancy and modifying metabolic processes.

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Ecotypic Variation

The presence of different ecological races of a species adapted to specific environments.

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Transplant Experiments

Studies revealing that plants retain their growth characteristics regardless of environmental changes.

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Sierra Nevada Ecotype

A specific ecotype of Yarrow characterized by small size, late blooming, and cold adaptation.

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Desiccation in Cold Weather

The drying out of plant leaves due to extreme cold conditions.

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Soil Temperature Effects

How high temperatures in soil can impair plant growth and survival.

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Snowline Impacts

The boundary above which snow persists year-round, influencing local ecosystems.

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Regulated Hypothermia

A state where birds lower their body temperature to conserve energy.

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Cold Adaptations in Mammals

Mammals develop features like thicker fur and hollow hairs for winter survival.

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Photosynthesis Function

Photosynthesis converts CO2, H2O, and sunlight into sugars and oxygen.

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C3 Photosynthesis

Usual form of photosynthesis with no special adaptations; uses 3-carbon sugar.

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C4 Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis that efficiently captures CO2 using a 4-carbon sugar.

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CAM Plants

Plants that open stomata at night to reduce water loss; found in deserts.

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Oxygen Availability

Limited oxygen in water affects aquatic species distributions.

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Salinity Classification

Organisms are categorized as stenohaline or euryhaline based on salt tolerance.

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Nutrient Limiting Factors

Essential nutrients (N, P, K, etc.) limit plant and animal growth; they have specific functions.

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Soil Types

Different soil compositions (clay, silt, sand) affect water retention and plant growth.

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Fire Regime and Seed Release

Certain species need fire to release seeds from serotinous cones.

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Shade Tolerance

Some plants adapt to grow in low light or shaded environments.

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Light as a Limiting Factor

Availability of light affects biological timings, photosynthesis, and plant rhythms.

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Effect of Climate Change on Species

Climate change slowly alters plant species distributions, affecting ecosystems.

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Chemical Reactions of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis involves complex reactions to create organic compounds and oxygen.

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Study Notes

Ecology Unit 4: Abiotic Factors Limiting Distributions

  • Abiotic factors, like temperature and moisture, significantly affect species distribution.
  • Organisms face two choices for dealing with these conditions: adjust physiologically (acclimation, adaptation) or escape via migration or hibernation.
  • Large temperature differences across Earth's surface are influenced by incoming solar radiation, with less heat energy per unit area at the poles (40%) compared to the equator.
  • Land heats and cools rapidly, experiencing daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations (2-3°C flux at the equator, 50°C flux in temperate zones annually).
  • Water heats and cools slowly, with more constant temperatures and vertical mixing processes.
  • Precipitation is highest near the equator and in mid-latitudes (45-55 degrees), and over oceans (44 in/yr) more than land (26 in/yr).
  • Rainfall is greater on windward sides of mountains and high plateaus, leading to rain shadows on the leeward sides.

Abiotic Factors and Their Influence on Organisms

  • Water is crucial; all life processes occur in aqueous media.
  • Life on Earth occurs between 0°C and 100°C (water's liquid range).
  • High temperatures cause cell membrane and nucleic acid dissociation, while low temperatures cause ice formation that damages cell organelles.
  • Temperature influences life processes; heat increases molecular kinetic energy, accelerating chemical reactions.
  • A 10°C increase in temperature often results in a 2-4x increase in metabolic rate.
  • Poikilotherms lack internal temperature regulation, while homeotherms maintain a stable internal body temperature.
  • Enzymes' stability decreases with increasing temperature. High temperatures cause enzymes to cease functioning.

Adaptations: Plants

  • Plant distribution is primarily determined by local climate adaptions for water availability (drought and flooding).
  • Drought resistance is achieved through improved water uptake, decreased water loss (stomatal closure/ reduced leaf surface area), and water storage mechanisms.
  • Deciduous trees adapt better than conifers (in drought).
  • Xerophytes are drought-resistant plants.
  • Flooding tolerance concerns seedling growth from water levels.
  • Timberlines in North America show a relationship between altitude and latitude. Factors include lack of soil, desiccation of leaves, short growing seasons, lack of snow exposure, excessive snow, high winds, rapid heat loss, dry soil, and drought.
  • Ecotypic variation across plant distributions demonstrates genetic adaptation.
  • Transplant experiments illustrate that plants grown in drastically different environments can maintain their specific features (e.g., Yarrow ecotypes).
  • Plants exhibit cold hardiness adaptations to temperate zone winters (e.g., deciduous plants shedding leaves and dormancy; plants shifting water to outside cells to prevent intracellular freezing).

Adaptations: Animals

  • Temperature adaptations in animals include: nocturnal lifestyle; evaporative cooling, which is necessary but not always occurring for desert dwellers; heat storage, in which animals may raise their body temperature during the day and lower it later for heat dissipation.
  • Cold-environment adaptations include Antarctic fish with glycoprotein molecules lowering the freezing point of tissue fluids, preventing freezing.
  • Birds may fluff their feathers to trap air and maintain a higher body temperatures compared to the ambient temperature. The leg and foot adaptations of some species prevent ice formation.
  • Mammals adapt to cold by growing thicker fur during winter months and developing hollow hairs (e.g., Arctic fox).
  • Terrestrial animals exhibit adaptations for water balance—e.g., the kangaroo rat in the deserts has adaptations to excrete urine and feces without much water loss. Reptiles have a dry skin covered with scales to prevent water loss.

Other Limiting Factors

  • Light: Essential for photosynthesis; diurnal and seasonal rhythm patterns impact animal behavior.
  • Nutrients: Essential for building proteins, nucleic acids, and other components.
  • Soil type influences both water availability and nutrient accessibility.
  • Salinity refers to variations in salt concentration, creating challenges for freshwater or marine species. Osmosis plays an important role in salinity effects on animals. Osmoregulation is the key to adaptation in species that are stenohaline, whereas euryhaline species can adapt to a broader range of salinity levels.
  • Oxygen levels affect many organisms. This plays an important role in determining the distribution of aquatic species.
  • Fire regimes/patterns influence the establishment of certain species; for example, serotinous cones require forest fires to release seeds. Different types of ecosystems, like prairies, have recurrent fires that control the growth of large trees.

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Description

This quiz covers how temperature affects where species can live. It explores acclimation, lethal limits, and sensitive life stages. Also examined are direct and indirect temperature effects on species distribution.

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