BIOL 2804 VT (Whitehead) Unit 1 Key Terms

natural selection

differential survival and reproduction of individuals in response to environmental pressure that leads to change in allele frequencies in a population over time

Fitness

Ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment

Adaptation

A characteristic that improves an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

Genotype

genetic make up of an organism

Phenotype

the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Allele

An alternative form of a gene.

phenotypic plasticity

the ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment.

genetic drift

A change in the allele frequency of a population as a result of chance events rather than natural selection.

Photosynthesis

process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches

Transpiration

the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants

water potential

Autotroph

an organism that is able to form nutritional organic substances from simple inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide.

Heterotroph

organism that obtains energy from the foods it consumes; also called a consumer

Guild

any group or species that exploit the same resources, or that exploit different resources in related ways

Assimilation

absorption and conversion of energy and nutrients into constituents of an organism

aerobic respiration

Respiration that requires oxygen

endothermic organisms

These organisms maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the external environment. They are referred to as warm-blooded organisms. Eg mammals & birds

ectothermic organisms

DO NOT have the ability to keep their internal body temperature fairly stable. They must rely on heat from the environment to keep their internal temperatures stable. They are sometimes referred to as cold blooded

optimal foraging theory

natural selection favors individuals whose foraging behavior is energetically efficient - the snake will not choose the mouse if there is a more efficient option

Anti-predator behavior

Avoid Detection

Avoid Attack

-mimicry

Avoid Consumption

group size effects

the effects of group number on group behavior independent of the personality characteristics of the members themselves-dilution effect & confusion effect

mate choice

the intersexual selection of a mate based on attraction and traits

sexual selection

A form of natural selection in which individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely than other individuals to obtain mates.

parental investment

the time and energy given to an offspring by its parents

inclusive fitness

Population

group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area

metapopulation

a group of spatially distinct populations that are connected by occasional movements of individuals between them

Peterson Mark-Recapture Index

technique used to estimate the size of a population where it is impractical to count every individual

Demography

The scientific study of population characteristics.

survivorship curve

a graph that represents the distinct patterns of species survival as a function of age

R0

net reproductive rate; overall growth rate per generation; number of offspring born to females of all ages

r

the intrinsic rate of natural increase of a population

fecundity

the ability to produce an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertility

carrying capacity (K)

The limit of how many individuals in a population the resource supply can sustain

exponential growth

Population growth that is unhindered because of the abundance of resources for an ever-increasing population.

logistic growth

Growth pattern in which a population's growth rate slows or stops following a period of exponential growth

Stochastic

A simulation that incorporates elements of randomness and unpredictability.

Evolution

descent with modification