Bio 3.3 ,, Space and animal time

Taxis

Taxic behaviour in an animal is its movement in a direction (toward or away from) in response to a stimulus.

Kinesis

A kinesis is a random movement, which may increase in intensity, such as rate of turning in response to intensity of a stimulus, for example an increase in chemical gradient.

Migration

The annual/repeated mass movement of organisms between the place they breeding to non-breeding areas and back again, usually over long distances.

Magnetic Compass

Navigation using the Earth’s magnetic fields to determine where they are in relation to the other fields/determine the direction to travel in.

Solar Compass

some organisms use the position of the Sun and their direction. (A biological Clock is required to take into consideration the rotation of the earth, which causes the movement of the sun across the sky.

Stellar Compass

Use of me use the position of the stars to guide them/determine the direction of travel during the night on their migration.

Visual cues/Landmarks

Some landmarks are used in migration like coast lines and mountain ranges.

Sense of smell

some animals use scents or scent trails e.g. the ocean and the scents of nearby landmasses to guide their way.

Circadian rhythm

a rhythm that follows approximately 24 hour cycle

Circalunar rhythm

a rhythm that follows approximately the lunar cycle of 29.5 days

Circannual rhythm

a rhythm that follows approximately a yearly cycle of 365 days

Nocturnal

Animals activity period is at night / during the dark period.

Endogenous rhythm

Endogenous rhythm (biological clock) is built in / internally generated /not dependent on external cues.

Phase Shift

Phase shifting, happens when the start of the rhythm / activity is advanced or retarded. Phase shifting can be accomplished using an appropriate environmental cue. Often this cue is light (or absence of light).

Zeitgeber

An external stimulus or cue, such as daylight or a regularly repeated occurrence, that serves to regulate an organism’s biological clock.

Entrainment

Where the endogenous rhythm is re-set by a zeitgeber / outside factor e.g. light and dark.

Genetic drive

Some behaviour is genetic and innate and is endogenously controlled.