NCEA Level 3 Biology - Plant and Animal Responses and Behaviour

Endogenous Rhythm

Rhythm that occurs independently of environmental cues

Exogenous Rhythm

Rhythm that depends upon environmental cues

Tropism

A directional growth response to a stimulus

Nastic Response

A movement response to a non-directional stimulus (intensity of stimulus)

Kinesis

A non-directional repsonse to a stimulus

Entrainment

Resetting an internal clock using a zeitgeber

Zeitgeber

An environmental cue that resets an internal clock

Free-Running

Occurs with an endogenous rhythm under constant conditions

Competition

An inter-specific relationship in which neither party benefits from the relationship

Mutualism

An inter-specific relationship where both parties benefit from the relationship

Ammensalism

-/o An inter-specific relationship whereby one party is negatively affected and the other is unaffected

Commensalism

+/o An inter-specific relationship whereby one party benefits and the other is unaffected

Parasitism

+/- Exploitation whereby one organism exploits the other (host) for food

Predation

+/- Exploitation whereby one organism (predator) hunts the other (prey)

Allelopathy

+/- Exploitation whereby one plant releases harmful chemicals to kill/impede the other plant

K Reproductive Strategy

Few offspring, lots of care provided - LOTS OF ENERGY INVESTED

R Reproductive Strategy

Lots of offspring, little to no care - LITTLE ENERGY INVESTED

Territory

Area which an individual or group of organisms defends against intruders

Home Range

Area in which an organism or group of organisms hunts for food

Territorial Behaviour

Set of behaviours used by an organism/group of organisms to deter intruders and defend territory

Hierarchy

Complex Social Structure used to maintain order and decrease violence in a group of organisms

CDL (Critical Day Length)

Day length above which an LDP flowers, and below which an SDP flowers

Adaptive Advantage

A trait possessed by an organism that offers a survival or reproductive advantage in the organism's environment

Homing

Ability to navigate home over short distances and unfamiliar territory

Migration

Movement of individuals from one geographic location to another

Auxin

A chemical that controls growth in plants

Taxis

A directional response to an external stimulus

Klinokinesis

Stimulus intensity determines rate of turning

OrthoKinesis

Stimulus intensity determines speed of movement

Herbivory

+/- Exploitation whereby an animal eats a plant

Kin Selection

Altruistic behaviour towards members of an organisms family

Diurnal

Active during day

Nocturnal

Active during night

Crepuscular

Active during dawn and dusk

Phase Shift

When entrainment causes the new setting to differ from original state

Biological Clock

Allows organisms to anticipate and respond immediately to changes in their environment in order to maximise energy gain and minimise un-necessary energy losses.