Chapter 4 - Ecology

tolerance

The ability to survive stressors in the environment.

avoidance

A response to stressors that lessens their effect via behavior or physiological activity that minimizes exposure to the stress.

physiological ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their physical environment that influence survival and persistence.

climate envelope

The range of climate variables (temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation) associated with a species' geographic distribution.

acclimation

Adjustment of physiology, morphology, or behavior to decrease the effect of environmental change and reduce stress at the individual level.

adaptations

Evolutionary changes of traits for increased fitness, leading to an increase in frequency within populations over time.

ecotypes

Populations with adaptations to unique environments that can eventually become separate species.

dormancy

A state in which little or no metabolic activity occurs.

thermoneutral zone

The range of temperature over which endotherms maintain a constant basal metabolic rate.

osmotic potential

Energy associated with dissolved solutes in a solution.

water potential

The overall energy status of water in a system.

fundamental niche

All potential roles and range for a species in an ecosystem.

realized niche

Subset of suitable habitat where a species exists, restricted by competition.

evaporative cooling

Cooling mechanism that involves the loss of water from the body through sweating, panting, or licking.

osmosis

The movement of water from regions of high water potential to regions of low water potential.

adaptations to environmental stress

Can vary among populations, including physical, behavioral, and physiological changes.

hypotonic solution

A solution with more solutes inside the cell, which can cause the cell to lyse.

hypertonic solution

A solution with more solutes outside the cell, which can cause the cell to shrivel.

cohesion and adhesion

Properties of water important for its movement in plants and high surface tension.

CAM photosynthesis

A photosynthetic adaptation in plants that allows them to minimize water loss by opening stomata at night.

ectotherms

Organisms that regulate body temperature primarily through energy exchange with the environment.

endotherms

Organisms that rely primarily on internal heat generation to maintain body temperature.

water balance

The maintenance of appropriate water levels in organisms to facilitate metabolic processes and survival.