Life History Strategies and Trade-Offs

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to life history strategies, reproduction, and evolutionary trade-offs.

Life History

A record of events relating to growth, development, reproduction, and survival of an organism.

Semelparity

A reproductive strategy where an organism reproduces only once in its lifetime.

Iteroparity

A reproductive strategy where an organism can reproduce multiple times throughout its life.

Phenotypic Plasticity

The ability of one genotype to produce multiple phenotypes in response to environmental conditions.

r-selected species

Species that reproduce quickly, producing many offspring with low survival rates.

K-selected species

Species that produce fewer offspring with a higher likelihood of survival, often investing more care in each.

Trade-off

A situation in which the allocation of limited resources to one function reduces the resources available for another function.

Asexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes and usually results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Sexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction involving the fusion of male and female gametes, leading to genetic diversity.

Metamorphosis

An abrupt transition in form and function of an organism between the juvenile and adult stages.

Complex Life Cycle

A life cycle with at least two stages differing in body form and habitat.

Adaptive Evolution

Changes in traits within a population driven by natural selection, increasing fitness.

Polyphenism

The ability of a single genotype to produce multiple distinct phenotypes depending on environmental conditions.

Gamete Size: Isogamy vs Anisogamy

Isogamy refers to gametes of equal size, while anisogamy refers to gametes of different sizes, typically with eggs being larger.

Dormancy

A state of suspended growth and development that allows an organism to survive unfavorable conditions.

Niche Shift

The process by which an organism changes its habitat use, often associated with size or life stage change.

Sequential Hermaphroditism

A reproductive strategy where an organism changes sex during its life cycle.

Trade-offs in Seed Size and Number

The balance between producing many small seeds versus fewer large seeds, affecting survival and resource allocation.

Selection Pressure

Factors in the environment that influence reproductive success in individuals.