BIS2B Midterm 1 study set

1. Kingdom

the largest group into which an organism is classified

2. Phylum

in classification, a group of closely related classes

3. Class

in classification, a group of closely related orders

4. Order

in classification, a group of closely related families

5. Families

group of closely related genus

6. Genus

A classification grouping that consists of a number of similar, closely related species

7. species

A group of organisms that are closely related and can mate to produce fertile offspring

Evolution

study of changes in heritable characteristics of biological over successive generations

ecology

the study of how organisms interact with each other, and the environment in which they live

species richness

total number of species present

species evenness

relative abundance of each species

species diversity

The number and relative abundance of species in a biological community. (both richness and evenness)

weather

temperature and precipitation over a short period of time

climate

average seasonal pattern of temperature and precipitation over a long period of time

Hotspots

places with many species that are endemic (species not seen in many spaces besides that one)

The map below(map of southern hemisphere lower regions: Australia, Antarticia, South America) shows the distribution of penguin species on Earth in blue (landmasses are shown in gray). This distribution can best be explained by...

a. Movement of tectonic plates

b. Dispersal of ancestral penguin species to unconnected landmasses

c. Independent evolution of penguin species in different regions

d. The rainshadow effect

b. Dispersal of ancestral penguin species to unconnected landmasses

What process drives the difference in vegetation between the western- and eastern-facingslopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains?

Rain shadow: a region having little rainfall because it is sheltered from prevailing rain-bearing winds by a range of hills.

2. Consider the number of species within a given taxonomic group, of any level (kingdom,phylum, etc). Select all the statements below that are true.

a. A class will contain at least as many species as an order within that class contains

b. A phylum will always contain more species than any class or order

c. All orders contain the same number of families

d. A taxonomic grouping of any level could contain only a single species

a. A class will contain at least as many species as an order within that class contains

d. A taxonomic grouping of any level could contain only a single species

How do greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide affect the earth's radiation budget?

a. They increase the amount of radiation that is retained in the atmosphere

b. They increase the amount of radiation that is reflected by clouds into space

c. They increase the amount of radiation that the earth receives from the sun

a. They increase the amount of radiation that is retained in the atmosphere

If the Earth's axis was not tilted...

A. overall the global climate would be hotter

B. overall the global climate would be cooler

C. there would be no seasons

D. the intertropical convergence zone would disappear

E. none of the above would be consequences of the Earth's axis not being tilted

C. there would be no seasons

How do current concentrations of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) compared to historic levels?

Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and agriculture have increased the amount of greenhouse gases over 50% from pre-industrial times

Climate is described by the mean and annual variation in what two factors? How and why do these factors vary geographically? Be able describe how variation in climate is related to the types of plant life found in an area (e.g., trees vs grasses vs dessert)

Climate is described by the mean and annual variation of precipitation and temperature

trees: moderate to high precipitation and temperate higher temp.(wetter climate)

grass: moderate to lower precipitation and more fluctuations in temperature(moderate climate)

dessert: lower precipitation and higher temperature(dryer climate)

Which of the following patterns of annual precipitation are caused by HADLEY CELL circulation

A. Low precipitation on the leeward side of a mountain range

B. High rainfall at 30N and 30S, with lower precipitation near the equator

C. High rainfall at the equator

D. Low precipitation at the poles.

E. High amounts of rainfall during the summer in California

C. High rainfall at the equator

Trade-off

the relationship between the benefits of a trait in one context and its costs in another context

ex.

(r species reproduction: large quantity of offspring, but little parental care)

resource acquisition

Acquiring nutrients and energy

trade-off example: root-to-shoot growth:

*more roots, fewer shoots => obtain more N & water, less C

*more shoots, fewer roots => obtain more C, less N and water

defense against herbivores or predators

trade-off example: lizards that can detach their tails when threatened by predators. This strategy, known as autotomy, allows the lizard to escape while the predator is distracted by the wriggling tail

trade-off:

Regulation of internal conditions (dealing with environmental stress)

trade-off: endotherms keeping their body temperature at 98 degrees by using a lot of energy when cold, or by evaporative cooling when too hot

On what three successive events does predation depend? Give an example of adaptation of prey that reduces thje likelihood of each event.

Probability of being eaten =P (detection) x P (capture) x P(consumption)

Detection: Prey often use camouflage to blend into their surroundings, making it harder for predators to spot them. For example, the peppered moth's speckled wings resemble tree bark, helping it avoid detection by birds.

Capture: Once detected, prey may rely on speed or agility to evade capture. The gazelle, for instance, uses its incredible speed and unpredictable zigzagging movements to escape predators like cheetahs.

Consumption: If captured, some prey have adaptations to deter consumption. The monarch butterfly, for example, contains toxic chemicals from the milkweed it consumes as a caterpillar, making it unpalatable to predators.

Humans have a seemingly insatiable appetite for fats, sugars and salt. From anevolutionary standpoint, why are these food preferences not surprising? What are theconsequences of these preferences for humans in today's ecological conditions?

Fats: High in calories, fats provided a dense energy source that was crucial for survival during periods of food scarcity.

Sugars: Sugars offered quick energy and were often found in nutrient-rich fruits, signaling a valuable food source.

Salt: Essential for maintaining electrolyte balance and proper nerve and muscle function, salt was historically rare in natural environments, making it a sought-after resource.

Endotherm

An animal whose body controls and regulates its temperature by controlling the internal heat it produces

Ecotherm

cold-blooded animal whose body temperature changes with the temperature of its surrounding environment.

Adaptation V. Acclimation

Adaptation: A long-term evolutionary process where a population develops traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment.(genetic change for generations too)

Timescale: Occurs over many generations through natural selection.

Acclimation: A short-term physiological or behavioral adjustment by an individual organism to cope with environmental changes.

Timescale: Happens within an organism's lifetime and is reversible.

C3 V. C4 Photosynthesis

C3: thrive in cooler and wetter environments and is less efficient in water use and carbon fixation under stress

C4: thrive in hotter and dryer environments and more efficient in water and carbon fixation use especially in high temperature (less stomatal opening so retains)

BTW carbon fixation is good for environment (reduces CO2 in atmosphere)

What are the characteristics of species with "r" and "K" selected life histories?

R species:

-unpredictable, variable-harsh, disturbed

Mortality is independent of other organisms and often catastrophic

K species:

Habit

-predictable

-favorable for growth & survival

Mortality is often caused by interactions with other organisms

Anadromous fish such as salmon spend the majority of their lives in the ocean (which is saltwater), but migrate to rivers (which are freshwater) to mate and reproduce. During this migration, salmon spend a period of time at the mouth of the river to allow their salt regulatory mechanisms to adjust to the change in salinity between the ocean and the river. Is this an example of acclimation or adaptation?

Acclimation

What are the characteristics of environments that are likely to favor each type, r and k?

R: density independent population

K: density dependent population

Many organisms use evaporation of water as a cooling mechanism...what trade-off is it most likely to impose?

a. A reduction in the nutrients available to invest in defensive compounds for avoiding predation or herbivory

b. An increase in the energy required to complete other life processes such as reproduction

c. An increased risk of dehydration or desiccation

d. A reduction in the fundamental niche of the species to regions with cooler temperatures

c. An increased risk of dehydration or desiccation

14. Scientists discover a new species of fish in a deep ocean trench and biologists studying them collect the following life history data: The fish are very large, nearly 200 tons in weight and over 30 meters in length. Their life span is about 800 years and they take nearly 100 years to reach sexual maturity. After mating, each female lays thousands of eggs in a nest on the ocean floor that she does not revisit or maintain after laying the eggs. Once the eggs hatch, many of the juveniles succumb to disease or predation and do not survive to maturity. How would you describe this species in terms of r and K selection?

a. These traits are all r-selected

b. These traits are all K-selected

c. These traits are in-between r and K selection (in the middle of continuum, not at either extreme)

d. This species has some r-selected traits and some K-selected traits (at both ends of the continuum, representing both extremes)

d. This species has some r-selected traits and some K-selected traits (at both ends of the continuum, representing both extremes)

semelparity

when organisms reproduce only once during their life

iteroparity

when organisms reproduce multiple times during their life