Weather and Climate Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a Mediterranean climate?

Warm, dry summers

Seasonality in precipitation

Consistent temperature throughout the year (correct)

Cool, wet winters

Which of these biomes is characterized by consistently low temperatures and limited precipitation, with a growing season of only a few months?

Tundra (correct)

Temperate Grassland

Boreal Forest

Tropical Rainforest

What is the primary difference between semelparous and iteroparous organisms?

Semelparous organisms reproduce only once, while iteroparous organisms reproduce multiple times throughout their lifetime. (correct)

Semelparous organisms have a shorter lifespan than iteroparous organisms.

Semelparous organisms produce larger offspring than iteroparous organisms.

Semelparous organisms are more common in harsh environments than iteroparous organisms.

Which of the following is a key principle of resource allocation in organisms?

Organisms invest more resources into 'domains' that lack resources. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between acclimation and adaptation?

Acclimation is a change in phenotype, while adaptation is a change in genotype. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Bergmann's Rule, what is the relationship between body size and habitat temperature?

Larger body size is correlated with colder habitat temperatures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the realized niche of a species?

The actual range of environmental conditions in which a species survives and reproduces. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an acclimation response?

The increase in red blood cell count at high altitudes. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following biomes would you expect to find organisms with a high surface area to volume ratio?

Tundra (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the allocation of resources in an organism?

The color of the organism's fur (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between weather and climate?

Weather is a short-term phenomenon, while climate is a long-term average of weather patterns. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of a Mediterranean climate?

Cold, dry winters and warm, wet summers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biomes is characterized by the absence of seasonality in temperature and high levels of precipitation?

Tropical Rainforest (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary principle behind resource allocation in organisms?

Organisms invest more resources in domains where they are most limited. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental distinction between acclimation and adaptation?

Acclimation is a reversible phenotypic change, while adaptation is a non-reversible genotypic change across generations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the realized niche of a species?

The specific set of biotic and abiotic conditions in which a species actually lives and thrives. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a trade-off faced by organisms across their life cycle?

Maximizing the number of offspring produced while maintaining individual survival. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that ectotherms regulate their body temperature?

By moving between different microclimates. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weather and Climate

Weather: Conditions in the atmosphere over a short period of time
Climate: Average weather conditions or patterns over longer periods of time

Weather Climates

Tundra: Dry, requires temperatures below freezing frequently
Tropical Rainforest: Never below a certain temperature, consistently warm, no seasonal changes
Boreal Forest: Cold, with temperatures rarely exceeding 25 degrees Celsius
Mediterranean: Warm, dry season during the warmer months, wet season during the colder months
Temperate Grassland: Variable temperatures throughout the year
Desert: Seasonal temperature variations; warm months in the Northern Hemisphere, cold months in the Southern Hemisphere (June, July, August are typically warm for the Northern Hemisphere)

Equinoxes and Solstices

Mediterranean climate: Temperature and precipitation vary seasonally in the Northern Hemisphere
Seasonality of precipitation; wet season during the cold season
Identification of biomes: Tropical rainforests have no seasonal temperature changes, very high precipitation, boreal forests, and tundras.

Carbon Dioxide Concentrations

Significant increase in carbon dioxide concentrations between 2019 and 2025
Global warming, although inconsistencies exist globally

Principle of Allocation

Each organism has limited resources
Obtaining food
Avoiding predators
Reproduction
Growth and metabolic functions
Larger seeds are more likely to die, while smaller seeds disperse further.

Semelparity vs Iteroparity

Semelparous: Organisms reproduce once and die
Iteroparity: Organisms reproduce multiple times

Thermoregulation

Ectotherms: Body temperature controlled primarily by external conditions
Endotherms: Body temperature regulated primarily through metabolic energy, moving between warmer and cooler environments
Acclimation: A change in phenotype that occurs within an individual in response to a short-term environmental change (e.g., heat response, sweating)
Adaptation: A change in genotype across generations for a species, more difficult to reverse; an adaptation is a long-term response to environmental conditions.

Biotic Factors & Resources

Allen's rule: Limb length correlates with habitat temperature
Realized niche: Biotic conditions in which a species can survive and reproduce
Acquisition of resources by organisms:
- Autotrophs (self-feeding):
  - Photoautotrophs (using sunlight)
  - Chemoautotrophs (using chemicals)
- Heterotrophs (feeding on others):
  - Herbivores (eating plants)
  - Carnivores (eating animals)

Liebig's Law of the Minimum

Plant growth is limited by the scarcest resource compared to the plant's needs
Population growth: The fastest increase is the population that increases the fastest

Photographic Mark-Recapture

Pattern recognition software
Capture points for camera locations to identify locations and individuals.

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Description

Explore the differences between weather and climate with this quiz. Learn about various climate types such as tundra, tropical rainforest, and desert, and their unique characteristics. Additionally, understand the significance of equinoxes and solstices in relation to climate patterns.