bio exam 1 general

ecology

The study of interactions or organisms with one another and with their physical environment at the species level

• Microevolution: change in allele (gene) frequencies

• Macroevolution: large-scale change

evolution

Theory of evolution proposes that all organisms are related through common ancestry and that have changed over time

population

group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time

• Same species: biologically identified the same and able to interbreed

community

all of the (different) species in the same area at the same time 2 or more species = community

ecosystem

all biotic and abiotic interactions happening in the same place at the same time

biosphere

the sum of all the planet’s ecosystems; the entire portion of Earth inhabited by life

productivity

Primary productivity: how much primary production aka photosynthesis occurs within a biome Increases with temperature and precipitation

• Gross: all of the productivity or biomass produced by every single primary producers in a biome

• Net: how much is available (for herbivores) after GPP used in some way

production efficiency

PE: energy for growth/(energy growth(biomass) + assimilated energy)

• Assimilated: all of the energy used by the consumer in some way

limit on chain length ft energy budget

• Energetic hypothesis: the length of food chains is limited by the inefficiency of energy transfer along that chain

  • Amount of energy available for each level decreases

• Energy budget: The extent of photosynthetic production sets the limit for the energy budget of the entire ecosystem

scientific method (reasonings)

• Inductive reasoning: A additive form of scientific inquiry/reasoning

• Deductive reasoning The reduction of an inquiry?? Question?

hypothesis + important 2 aspects

An explanation of how your data will either support or refute your question

• If the data says x, then my question is supported/refuted

Two aspects: Has to be testable and falsifiable

theory

scientifically the greatest explanation for phenomena that is supported by all evidence (mega-hypothesis)

Scientific method uhh testing

Observation → question → hypothesis → prediction → test prediction → form conclusion (support or refute)

coyote conclusion

When coyotes are removed in west texas, not only is there an increased abundance of mesopredators, but conversely there is a decreased biodiversity amongst the primary consum