BIS2B - Midterm 1

ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment

evolution

The study of changes in heritable characteristics of biological populations over time

latitude

each degree north or south of the equator, horizontal

intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

thermal equator, area with the highest solar intensity

Hadley cells

patterns of atmospheric circulation with air rising near equator, and descending as dry air at 30N and 30S

weather

current, short term atmospheric conditions

climate

average atmospheric conditions/patterns over many years

infrared radiation

A type of electromagnetic radiation, which Earth's surface emits as it absorbs solar energy. Certain gases trap this radiation in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP)

trajectories for greenhouse gas concentrations, 4 possible climate futures

market value

how biodiversity is helpful to our economy (food, medicine, materials, etc)

ecosystem services

things organisms do that help us (pollination, etc)

enjoyment

people enjoy nature

tourism/recreation

people travel to see nature not found in their region

science/research

biodiversity allows for discovery and study

cultural value

nature’s role in culture

species diversity

different species occupying the same habitat at the same time (community)

diversity index (D)

a way to measure diversity within a community, using species richness and species evenness

species richness

total number of species in habitat

species evenness

relative abundance of each species

vicariance

the geographic separation of a species into separate populations through some sort of physical barrier (Pangea, etc)

priciple of allocation

each organism has a limited amount of energy that can be used for all life processes

C3 photosynthesis

most common, occurs in mesophyll cell with rubisco enzyme. Problems: water loss & photorespiration

C4 photosynthesis

initial carbon fixation & sugar building are spatially separated. occurs in mesophyll cells and bundle sheath cells and with PEPC and rubisco enzyme. Less photo respiration & somewhat more water efficient, but requires 2 extra ATP per sugar molecule

CAM photosynthesis

CO2 stored at night in vacuole, and build sugar during the day. Very water efficient, requires 2 extra ATP per sugar molecule with slow growth. Common in dry, hot environments.

mutualistic relationship

A relationship where two different species help each other for mutual benefit.

autotrophs

organisms that make their own food, at the base of all food chains

heterotrophs

consume autotrophs or each other

fundamental niche

the abiotic conditions in which a species can survive and reproduce (temperature, precipitation, etc)

realized niche

the biotic conditions that determines where the species occurs (interaction with other species, like predators or parasites)

acclimation

physiological changes within an organism in response to experiences, usually reversible (drought stress increases root growth)

adaption

heritable evolutionary changes in populations over generations driven by natural selection (hummingbird beaks getting longer to reach inside flowers)

metabolic heat production

heat generated by the body’s natural chemical reactions during metabolism

endotherms

organisms that burn energy to regulate temperature

ectotherms

organisms that regulate to environmental temperature, rely on behavioral strategies to reduce temperature stress

detection adaptations

blending in with the environment through camoflauge

capture adaptations

traveling in groups

consumption adaptations

have physical or chemical defenses

life history strategy

the way individuals within and among species allocate resources to growth, reproduction, and survival based on genetic and environmental factors, the decisions

recruitment

successful survival to next stage of life cycle

semelparous

organisms that reproduce once and then die

iteroparous

organisms that reproduce many times throughout their lifespan

r-strategist

type 3 survivorship curve, short life expectancy, produces many offspring, population size controlled by r

k-strategist

type 1 survivorship curve, long life expectancy, produces few, large offspring, population size controlled by k

population

group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given area

intrinsic growth rate

birth rate - death rate, (r)

density-independent controls

factors affecting population size that DO NOT depend on the number of organisms in the population, usually abiotic factors (hurricane, drought, etc)

density-dependent controls

factors affecting population size that DO depend on the number of organisms in the population, usually biotic factors (predators, disease, limited resources, etc)

carrying capacity

the number of organisms that a region can support without environmental degradation