Survivorship Curves & K-Strategists vs R-Strategists Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the link between the survival/mortality rate of an organism and its reproductive strategy?
The more energy invested in reproduction and care of an organism, the more offspring survive to a reproductive age. The less energy invested, the less offspring survive to a reproductive age.
What does fewer offspring mean for the parents?
More energy can be invested in each offspring = Higher survivorship
What does a Type II survivorship curve entail?
Organisms have same chance of dying at any age.
Can a species change their reproductive strategy based on an environment?
Yes.
K-Strategists have few what?
K-Strategists have few offspring.
What do humans, some mammals, and most birds have in common?
They are K-Strategists.
Why are K-Strategists usually referred to as a Climax species?
K-Strategists tend to thrive in stable environments.
R-Strategists have few/ or many offspring?
R-Strategists have many (high numbers) of offspring.
All micro-organisms fall under which reproductive strategy?
R-Strategy.
What do R-Strategists not invest energy in?
R-Strategists do not invest energy in parental care, resulting in many offspring not surviving.
Who and what is a pioneer species?
R-Strategists are often pioneer species, which means they are the first species to colonize a barren (bleak and lifeless) environment.
In survivorship, high mortality equals what?
High mortality = Low survivorship
High survivorship equals what?
High survivorship = Low mortality
What type of survivorship curve, which reproductive strategy, and what characteristics does a convex survivorship curve have?
A convex survivorship curve typically represents K-Strategists, characterized by low mortality in early life.
What type of survivorship curve, which reproductive strategy, and what characteristics does a concave survivorship curve have?
A concave survivorship curve typically represents R-Strategists, characterized by high mortality in early life.
If an organism has the same chance of dying at any age, it is a type what survivorship curve?
It is a type II survivorship curve.
What does a survivorship curve’s x-axis and y-axis dictate?
The x-axis represents age (percentage of an organisms life span) , and the y-axis represents the number of survivors.
What does a growth curve’s x and y axis dictate?
The x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents population size.
