properties of populations pt 1 (population->metapopulation)

population

group of individuals of the same species in a given area

among members of a population, what is there a potential for?

interbreeding

interbreeding

exchange of genes between different species or genetically distinct populations

what are the characteristics of a population?

1) density

2) proportion of individuals of various ages + stages

3) spacing of individuals

4) birth, death, and movement of individuals

what is meant by “populations have a spatial boundary?”

there is a defining boundary as to where you find that population

an organism is unitary in form, development, growth, and longevity when..

the zygote grows into a genetically unique organism

unitary

the zygote grows into a genetically unique organism

an organism is modular when..

the zygote develops into a unit of construction that then produces further, similar modules

modular

the zygote develops into a unit of construction that then produces further, similar modules

what is an example of a unitary organism?

humans

what is an example of a modular organism?

plants

genet

genetic individual rising from a zygote

in modular organisms, the genet produces _____ by asexual reproduction

ramet

ramet

replication of the original parent

→ the only thing that causes genetic variation is a mutation

what organisms produce ramets?

aspen trees + legumes + corals + sponges

what is meant by “distribution of a population?”

describes its spatial location + is based on the presence or absence of individuals

what influences the distribution of a population?

occurrence of suitable environmental conditions

what is meant by a population’s “geographic range?”

the area that encompasses all individuals of a species

what causes barriers/restrictions to a population’s geographic range?

geographic barriers

competition + predation

→ restricts ability to colonize otherwise suitable areas

are individuals equally distributed throughout the geographic range of a population?

no

→ just because individuals are found in a range, it does not mean they occupy every nook + cranny of the range

→ so, individuals will occupy areas that meet their requirements (i.e. distribution of moss)

environmental heterogeneity

environments are made different from one another

how does environmental heterogeneity influence populations?

populations will get divided into local or subpopulations

metapopulation

collection of local subpopulations