Ecology Study Midterm Review

Flashcards testing core concepts, definitions, processes, and rules from the Ecology lecture study notes.

What is the definition of Ecology?

The scientific study of the abundance and distribution of organisms (quantity of living things and where they exist) in relation to other organisms (biotic) and environmental conditions (abiotic).

What is a Hypothesis?

A detailed question that can potentially explain an observation.

What is a Prediction?

If/then statements that try to support a hypothesis.

What is Data in scientific research?

Collected information from experiments to detect a signal by reducing noise.

How can experimental noise be reduced?

By controlling outside variables that aren't part of the study (e.g., keeping moisture levels consistent while studying light effects) and by measuring uncontrolled variables to account for them during analysis.

What are the 3 ways scientists study Ecology?

1) Manipulative Experiments, 2) Observational Experiments (Natural), and 3) Mathematical Models.

What is an example of a mathematical model?

$$r = \frac{\text{birth} - \text{deaths}}{\text{initial pop. size}}$$

What is Randomization?

A technique that reduces bias and provides a much more concise representation of an area.

What is Standardization?

Using the same data collection method when sampling, such as the same size, same time, and same equipment.

What are the 3 ways of experimental design?

1) Replication, 2) Standardization, and 3) Randomization.

What is the purpose of Replication?

To measure variability and error, increase the probability of detecting a signal, reduce the chance of project failure, and provide an accurate representation of a repeated, structured collection method.

What are the 6 hierarchical levels of ecological systems in order?

1) Individual, 2) Population, 3) Community, 4) Ecosystem, 5) Landscape, and 6) Biosphere.

What are the 3 Governing Principles of Ecological systems?

1) Conservation of Energy (1st Law: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only change form), 2) Conservation of Matter (matter cannot be created or destroyed, only change form), and 3) Dynamic Steady States (gains and losses balance).

How are interspecies interactions categorized by their effects on each organism?

Predation/Parasitism: (+, -); Herbivory: (+, -); Competition: (-, -); Mutualism: (+, +); Commensalism: (+, 0).

What is a Niche?

A range of abiotic and biotic conditions/interactions that a species can tolerate or adapt to.

What is the difference between Weather and Climate?

Weather is short-term ('what you get'), whereas Climate is long-term statistical distribution ('what you expect').

What are the 2 primary components of Climate?

1) Temperature, and 2) Moisture (humidity and precipitation).

How much human activity and greenhouse gases increased the warming of earth?

$$1.2\,^\circ\text{C}$$

What 3 factors influence solar variation?

1) Distance, 2) Angle, and 3) Reflection from different surfaces.

What are the 2 key factors of global climate patterns?

1) Ocean currents, and 2) Air movement.

What are 4 ways humans have accelerated global change?

1) Habitat loss, 2) Climate change, 3) Pollution, and 4) Over exploitation.

What 3 mechanisms cause genetic variation in a population?

1) Assortment (passing haploid from parent to offspring making a diploid), 2) Recombination (accidental DNA exchange of chromosomes during meiosis), and 3) Mutation (random change in nucleotide sequence of genes).

What are the 3 types of random evolutionary processes?

1) Genetic Drift (variation lost due to random variation in mating, mortality, etc.), 2) Bottleneck (large population declines leading to lack of genetic diversity), and 3) Founder Effect (small number of individuals leave a large population and colonize a new area).

What phenotypes are favored by Stabilizing, Directional, and Disruptive selection?

Stabilizing favors intermediate phenotypes; Directional favors ONE extreme phenotype; Disruptive favors BOTH extreme phenotypes.

What is the difference between Microevolution and Macroevolution?

Microevolution occurs at the population level, whereas Macroevolution occurs at the taxonomic level.

What is the difference between C3,C4, and CAM pathways

C3 uses RUBISCO; C4 uses PEP (separating it from RUBISCO); CAM uses PEP + RUBISCO (temporarily separating them).

What is the difference between Ectotherms and Endotherms?

Ectotherms regulate body temperature mostly through altering behavior, while Endotherms regulate body temperature through food metabolism.

What are 3 phenotypic plant responses to extreme environmental variation?

1) Migration (seasonal movement between regions), 2) Storage (holding scarce resources), and 3) Dormancy (dramatically reducing metabolic processes).

What 2 thermal adaptations exist for aquatic organisms?

1) Antifreeze compounds (raising blood and tissue concentration to lower freezing point), and 2) Supercooling (cooling liquid below $0\,^\circ\text{C}$ without turning into ice).

What is the Principle of Allocation?

The principle that when resources are devoted to one body structure, physiological function, or behavior, they CANNOT be distributed to another (trade-offs).

What is the difference in reproductive strategies between Semelparous and Iteroparous organisms?

Semelparous organisms reproduce ONCE in their lifetime, while Iteroparous organisms reproduce MULTIPLE times over their lifetime.

What are the benefits and costs of social living?

Benefits: decreased predation risk, reduced stress, increased access to food. Costs: increased visibility to predators, parasite/disease spread, competition for food.

What are the 4 types of social interactions

1) Cooperation (+/+), 2) Selfishness (-/+), 3) Spitefulness (+/-), and 4) Altruism (-/-).

When is Altruism favored by natural selection?

When inclusive fitness is higher than direct fitness due to high relatedness and low energy cost.