Unit 8: Ecology

Behavior

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How Animals Communicate

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Ecology

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Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers

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Populations

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Population Ecology

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Exponential Growth

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Ecological Susscession

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Human Impact on the Enviornment

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Extra - Internal vs External Cues

In the context of AP Biology, internal cues are signals originating from within an organism, like hormone levels or internal body states, while external cues are stimuli from the environment, such as sights, sounds, or other organisms. Internal cues can trigger a variety of responses, from physiological changes (like increased heart rate) to behavioral changes (like seeking food or shelter). External cues can trigger a variety of responses, from physiological changes (like increased heart rate in response to a predator) to behavioral changes (like fleeing a threat or seeking a mate). 

Extra - Differential Reproductive Success

What is differential reproductive success?

The ability of an organism to compete successfully for environmental resources, survive predators, resist disease and live to adulthood.

How does communication result in differential reproductive success?

Individuals may help each other out

Extra - Types of Signals

Pheromones, Auditory Cues, Visual Cues, Tactile Cues. Used to find mates, establish dominance, defend territory, coordinate group behaviors, and care for young.

Extra - Innate vs Learned vs Cooperative Behavior

Innate - Behavior that develops without depending on learning or experience.

Learned - Behavior that is learned.

Cooperative - Two or more groups directed towards a common goal which is mutually beneficial.

Extra - Altruism

In biology, altruism refers to behaviors that benefit another individual or group, even at a potential cost to the altruistic individual's own survival or reproduction. 

Examples:

• Vervet monkeys: giving alarm calls to warn others of predators, even though it increases their own risk. 

• Vampire bats: regurgitating blood to feed other bats that haven't eaten. 

• Sterile worker bees: in colonies that dedicate their lives to caring for the queen and the colony, sacrificing their own reproduction. 

• Meerkats: acting as watchmen, alerting the group to danger, even if it means their own death. 

Extra - Endotherms and Ectotherms

Endotherms (like birds and mammals) regulate their body temperature internally through metabolic processes, while ectotherms (like reptiles and amphibians) rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature. If endotherms move to cooler area they use up more energy than ectotherm. Also smaller organisms generally have higher metabolic rates.

Extra - Trophic Levels

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Extra - Autotrophs vs Heterotrophs

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Extra - Photosynthetic vs Chemosynthetic

Chemosynthesis and photosynthesis both produce food, but chemosynthesis uses chemical energy from inorganic molecules (like hydrogen sulfide or methane) while photosynthesis uses light energy from the sun. 

Here's a more detailed comparison:

Photosynthesis:

• Energy Source: Light energy (sunlight) 

• Chemical Reactions: Uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen 

• Organisms: Primarily plants, algae, and some bacteria 

• Example: Plants use sunlight to create their own food (glucose) and release oxygen as a byproduct. 

Chemosynthesis:

• Energy Source: Chemical energy from inorganic molecules (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, methane) 

• Chemical Reactions: Uses chemical energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) 

• Organisms: Primarily bacteria, but also some archaea 

• Example: Bacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal vents use hydrogen sulfide to produce food. 

Extra - What macromolecules can heterotrophs use for energy?

Carbs, Lipids, Proteins

Extra - Population Equations

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Extra - Simpson Diversity Index

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Extra - Trophic Cascades

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Extra - What is niche partitioning?

In biology, niche partitioning, also known as resource partitioning, refers to the way different species in an ecosystem coexist by dividing resources and habitats to reduce competition. This can involve using different food sources, occupying different areas, or being active at different times. 

Extra - Local vs Global Ecosystem

Local ecosystems are smaller, specific areas with unique interactions between organisms and their environment, while global ecosystems encompass the entire biosphere, including all living organisms and their interactions with the planet. 

Water Cycle

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Nitrogen Cycle

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Phosphorus Cycle

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