Overview

Question 1

Define population ecology

Answer 1

The dynamics of species populations and how these populations interact with the environment.

Question 2

What is fitness ?

Answer 2

The ability of an organism to survive long enough to reproduce
& how many offspring are produced

Question 3

What is direct fitness ?

Answer 3

The number or offspring an individual produces, due to its direct reproductive efforts

Question 4

How is indirect fitness calculated ?

Answer 4

Adding the relations of that individual and multiplying this sum by the degree of relatedness

Question 5

What is inclusive fitness ?

Answer 5

The total proportion of genes that an individual organism contributes to the next generation
(through rearing or through its own behaviour)

Question 6

What can fitness also be applied to ?

Answer 6

Alleles and genotypes

Question 7

What does the fitness of alleles depend on ?

Answer 7

External Factors, such as selection pressure

Question 8

Define Life history

Answer 8

The significant features of the life cycle through which an organism passes, with particular emphasis on aspects and strategies affecting survival and reproduction.

Question 9

What is indirect fitness ?

Answer 9

The shared genes with kin other than the direct offspring of an individual

Question 10

What is a life history trait ?

Answer 10

An investment in growth, reproduction, and survivorship.

Question 11

What is the goal of life history theory ?

Answer 11

To understand the variation in life history strategies.

Question 12

What are intrinsic factors of organisms ?

Answer 12

Factors specific to each organism which are built into the genetic basis of each species

Question 13

What are extrinsic factors of organisms ?

Answer 13

The environmental constraints placed on an organism

Question 14

What is deterministic environmental variability ?

Answer 14

A change from a previous norm

Will not usually effect animal life histories

Question 15

What is stochastic environmental variability ?

Answer 15

Random variation

Will impact organisms, particularly larvae

Question 16

Why did larvae evolve ?

Answer 16

Balances parental self care Vs care of offspring

Do not compete for same food sources

Question 17

Why is natural selection known as a moving target ?

Answer 17

The environment is continually changing, This variation creates stressful situations for organisms which requires them to evolve

Question 18

What is the evolutionary response to change ?

Answer 18

Delay maturation

Longer life span

Question 19

What is the evolutionary benefit of a longer life span ?

Answer 19

Enables reproduction to occur more than once

Question 20

What is the evolutionary advantage of delaying maturation ?

Answer 20

Increases chance of producing viable offspring

Stabilises fitness over the long term

Question 21

What are the 2 outcomes of environmental catastrophes for organisms ?

Answer 21

Extinction of populations

Selection for life stages that tolerate harsh conditions

Question 22

Give an example of catastrophe adapted organisms

Answer 22

Plants in wildfire habitats

Have protection from heat (thick bark) and increased growth after fire

Question 23

What leads to the evolution of timed life history strategies, such as hibernation ?

Answer 23

Predictable environmental cycles

Question 24

What differs between R and K selection theories ?

Answer 24

The number of offspring

The timing of reproduction

Question 25

Give the key features of R selected organisms.

Answer 25

``` Large number of offspring Reproduce early High Mortality rate Minimal parental care Short lifespan ```

Question 26

What type of environment are R selected species suited to ?

Answer 26

An unstable environment

Question 27

Give the key features of the K selected organisms

Answer 27

``` Low number of offspring Reproduce multiple times Low mortality rate High parental investment Long lifespan ```

Question 28

What type of environment are K selected species suited to ?

Answer 28

Stable environments

Question 29

What is adaption ?

Answer 29

Evolutionary process over many generations where an organism becomes better adapted to their habitat.

Question 30

What is Bergmann's rule ?

Answer 30

Species of a larger size are found in colder environments, (Smaller SA:V, lose less heat) Species of smaller size are found in warmer regions. (Bigger SA:V, lose more heat)

Question 31

Give a species which demonstrates Bergmann's rule

Answer 31

White tailed deer, found across America Small in hot climates Bigger in colder climates

Question 32

What is Allen's rule ?

Answer 32

In a warm-blooded animal species Limbs, ears, and other appendages of the animal are shorter in a colder climate (Conserve heat) Limbs, ears and other appendages of the same animal are longer in warmer climates (Lose heat)

Question 33

What is Glogers rule ?

Answer 33

Within a species of endotherms, more heavily pigmented forms tend to be found in more humid environments, near the equator.

Question 34

Why is pigment useful in an humid environment ?

Answer 34

Increased melanin | Resits bacterial attack, a serious threat in humid environments

Question 35

What is acclimatisation ?

Answer 35

A process by which an organism adapts to a gradual change in the environment throughout its lifestyle

Question 36

Acclimatisation can be part of a periodic cycle or just a one off event. Give an example of a cyclical acclimatisation.

Answer 36

Moulting in mammals

Question 37

What is phenotypic plasticity ?

Answer 37

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

Question 38

What does phenotypic plasticity most commonly occur in ?

Answer 38

Plants, as they are immobile, Seeds will be scattered in different habitats so require different adaptions

Question 39

State an organism which shows phenotypic plasticity

Answer 39

Dandelion can adapt to; Shady and moist Sunny and moist Sunny and dry

Question 40

The adaptions of an organism to their habitat via phenotypic plasticity are always permanent True or False ?

Answer 40

False, the changes may or may not be permanent