AP Biology: Unit 8

Behavior

An action carried out by muscles under control of the nervous system.

Ethology

The study of animal behavior.

Behavioral Ecology

The study of the ecological and evolutionary basis of animal behavior.

Innate Behavior

Fixed action patterns or behaviors that are instinctual, such as imprinting in young geese.

Learned Behavior

Behaviors acquired through observation and life experiences.

Associative Learning

A type of learning where a behavior is modified by a relation between two stimuli, illustrated by classical conditioning.

Altruistic Behavior

Behavior that reduces the fitness of an individual but may increase the fitness of the population.

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Distribution

The way organisms are spread across a geographic area.

Transplants

Organisms that are intentionally or accidentally moved to areas where they were previously absent.

Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Dispersion

Movement of individuals away from an area of origin, resulting in a pattern of spacing among individuals.

Exponential Growth

Population growth that occurs under ideal conditions, leading to a constant rate of increase.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can support.

Logistic Growth Model

A growth model where the per capita rate of increase approaches zero as the population density approaches carrying capacity.

r-selection

Population strategy that produces many offspring with low parental care, suitable for unpredictable environments.

K-selection

Population strategy that produces few offspring with high parental care, suitable for stable environments.

Density-Independent Factor

Factors such as natural disasters that affect population size regardless of density.

Density-Dependent Factor

Factors such as competition and disease that affect population size based on density.

Climate

Long-term weather conditions for a particular location, comprised of sunlight, precipitation, temperature, and wind.

Biomes

Major ecological associations that occupy broad geographic regions.

Symbiosis

An interaction between organisms living in proximity, categorized by effects on their survival/reproduction.

Competition

A negative interaction where individuals of different species compete for limited resources.

Exploitation

An interaction where one species benefits at the expense of another, including predation and parasitism.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic interaction that benefits both species involved.

Commensalism

A type of interaction where one species benefits without harming or helping the other.

Ecological Niche

The specific set of resources used by an organism in its environment.

Trophic Level

The position occupied by a species in a food web.

10% Rule

Only approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Keystone Species

Species that exert a strong control on a community due to their ecological roles.

Ecosystem Engineers

Organisms that cause physical changes in the environment affecting community structure.

What is the difference between innate and learned behavior?

Innate behavior is instinctual and genetically programmed, while learned behavior is acquired through experience and observation.

What is altruistic behavior?

Altruistic behavior reduces the individual's fitness but benefits the population's overall fitness.

What does the term 'carrying capacity' refer to?

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support.

What is the significance of the 10% rule in ecology?

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next.

Define ecological niche.

An ecological niche is the specific role and set of resources utilized by an organism in its habitat.

What is the role of keystone species in an ecosystem?

Keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and balance of an ecological community.

How do density-dependent factors affect population size?

Density-dependent factors, such as competition and disease, influence population size based on the population's density.

What are the characteristics of r-selection reproductive strategy?

R-selection strategy involves producing many offspring with minimal parental care, suited for unstable environments.

What is the main focus of behavioral ecology?

Behavioral ecology studies the ecological and evolutionary influences on animal behaviors.

What is mutualism in terms of symbiotic interactions?

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction.