Biology: Natural Selection and Plant Responses

Definition: Natural selection favors behaviors (innate or learned) that enhance survival and reproduction.
Foraging Behavior:
Key components: Searching for food, recognizing food, and capturing food.
Successful foraging leads to better survival rates due to increased access to food resources, enhancing the ability to reproduce.

Types of Mating Systems:
Monogamous: One male pairs with one female.
Polygamous: One male mates with multiple females or one female mates with multiple males.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Difference in appearance between males and females as a result of sexual selection.
Example: Male peacocks with vibrant feathers attract females, showcasing this dimorphism.

Definition: Behaviors that enhance the fitness of a species by increasing survival rates of individuals within a population.
Examples of Cooperative Behavior:
Warning Calls: Used by species like zebras to alert others to danger, thus promoting group survival.
Kin Selection: Individuals help relatives, increasing the overall fitness of shared genes.
Altruism: Selfless behavior where individuals may sacrifice their own fitness for the benefit of others.
Example: Naked mole rats where non-reproductive members protect the queen and kings, enhancing the survival chances for the entire colony.

Plants exhibit remarkable adaptations for survival, including:
Phototropism: Growth response to light, allowing plants to grow towards or away from light sources.
Photoperiodism: Plant response to day length affecting flowering times; certain plants bloom in specific seasons.
Defenses Against Herbivory:
Physical defenses such as thorns and trichomes, as well as chemical defenses including toxins to deter herbivores.

Chemical Communication: Plants can send volatile chemicals to warn neighbors of herbivore attacks, leading to synchronized defense responses.
Example: Lima bean plants release chemicals when damaged, prompting neighboring plants to produce their own defenses against herbivory.

Impact on Plant Traits: Soil pH affects flower coloration in plants;
Example: Hydrangeas change color based on soil pH—acidic soils produce blue blooms, while basic soils lead to pink blooms.

Observation Scenario: Ravens feeding loudly on a carcass attract other ravens.
Proximal Causes: Immediate reasons for behavior include attracting more birds to feed, based on learned behavior.
Ultimate Causes: Long-term evolutionary benefits, such as increased food acquisition in groups.
Comparison with Other Species: Other species may defend their food for reasons such as resource scarcity or aggressive territorial behavior, ensuring individual survival.