lecture 9 ecology

organismal distributions

the outcome of environmental factors + biological interactions

climate envelope

The range of climactic conditions over which an organism occurs in nature

physiological processes

include respiration, metabolism, photosynthesis, digestion, etc. These processes are dependent on environmental conditions, such as temperature and water availability

physiological stress

occurs when environmental variables diverge from optimum conditions; this provides strong selective pressure for Organismal Adaptations

homeotherms

Organisms with body temperatures at relatively constant levels

Poikilotherms

Organisms with varying body temperatures

Endotherms

Organisms that can generate their own internal body heat

ectotherms

Organisms that are dependent on the external environment to regulate their temperature

Behavioral Thermoregulation

the process by which organisms use their behavior to change their body temperature

why can Ectotherms consume less frequent meals

because they do not need as much energy to maintain their body temperature.

why do endotherms consume more frequent meals

they need more energy to maintain their body temperature

ectotherms are rarely large true or false

true

endotherms are rarely small true or false

true

Bergman’s and Allen’s Rules

attempt to explain latitudinal variation in animal body size and shape; strong support for some taxa, less support for others

Concentration of waste products is a primary way animals regulate water and ion balance true or false

true

how did amphibians adapt to wet environments

permeable skin

reptiles are adapted to arid conditions with permeable skin true or false

false

Evapotranspiration

Water loss in plants via evaporation from leaves

stomata

Open in the day to allow gas exchange (CO2), but closed at night. Plants have adaptations to minimize water loss during the day in arid climates

Torpor

short-term dormancy, animals lower their metabolic rate

how is torpor different from hibernation

it is short-term rather than long-term/seasonal

Fixing carbon

the process by which inorganic carbon is converted into organic compounds

autotrophs are unable to fix carbon from inorganic sources, heterotrophs can true or false

false

Chemoautotrophs

able to oxidize inorganic compounds to gain energy for carbon fixation (instead of needing sunlight)

where might you find chemoautotrophs

hydrothermal vents and hot springs