Introduction to Ecology and Animal Behavior

Flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture about ecology and animal behavior.

What is ecology?

The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

What is ethology?

The study of animal behavior.

What is 'behavior'?

Any action that can be observed and described.

Which body systems influence behavior?

The nervous system and the endocrine system.

What do nest-building behavior in lovebirds and food choice in garter snakes indicate about behavior?

That behavior could be based on genetic basis and environmental influences.

What is a fixed action pattern? Give an example.

Believed to be unchanging behavioral responses, such as pecking behavior in laughing gull chicks.

What is imprinting? Provide an example.

A form of learning that occurs when a young animal forms an association with the first moving object it sees. Example: Goslings following any moving object after birth.

What is associative learning? What are the two types discussed?

Any change in behavior involving an association between two events. Types: Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning.

Give an example of classical conditioning.

Pavlov's dogs salivated when a bell rang.

Give an example of operant conditioning.

Skinner's rats pressed a lever and were rewarded with sugar pellets.

What is orientation in relation to birds?

The ability to travel in a particular direction.

What is insight learning

Solving a problem without prior experience