Symbiosis, social insects and social behaviour Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Symbiosis, social insects and social behaviour Deck (23)
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1
Q

What is meant by symbiosis?

A

Co-evolved relationship between members of two different species

2
Q

What are the two types of symbiosis?

A

Parasitism and mutualism

3
Q

What is meant by parasitism?

A

When the parasite benefits by gaining energy or resources and the host is harmed

4
Q

What is a parasite?

A

An organism which gains energy from the host at the hosts expense

5
Q

What is meant by mutualism?

A

When both species benefit from the relationship

6
Q

What is a vector?

A

Carries a parasite from host to host

7
Q

Why might parasite life cycles involve the use of a secondary host?

A

no method of locomotion, somewhere for larval stages to live

8
Q

What are some examples of mutualism?

A
  • Coral polyps and zooxanthella
  • Cellulose-digesting bacteria and ruminants
9
Q

What evidence is there that chloroplasts and mitochondria have arisen from symbiosis?

A

Contain ribosomes similar to prokaryotes, contain DNA similar to prokaryotes.

10
Q

What is meant by social hierarchy?

A

The order of feeding dependant on social status

11
Q

Why can a social hierarchy be beneficial?

A

aggression is ritualised, keeps real fighting to a minimum, leads to experienced leadership

12
Q

What are the advantages of cooperative hunting?

A
  • Larger kills than when hunting alone
  • Individuals gain more energy than if hunting individually, Subordinates benefit from share of kill as well as dominant individuals
13
Q

What are the benefits of social defence?

A

Increased protection, more chance of seeing predators

14
Q

What is meant by altruism?

A

When the donor is harmed by the behaviour but the recipient benefits

15
Q

What is meant by reciprocal altruism?

A

When the altruistic act is returned to donor in future

16
Q

What is meant by kin selection?

A

Providing resources to related individuals – donor gains indirectly through survival of offspring who have some shared genes

17
Q

Why do social insects provide resources to their queen?

A

Queen is related to all members of hive so workers benefit indirectly through queen passing on genes she shares with workers

18
Q

What is a keystone species?

A

A species which plays a vital role in the survival of other species in an ecosystem.

19
Q

Why do primates have long periods of parental care?

A

To allow for offspring to learn complex social behaviours

20
Q

What methods are used in social groups to reduce conflict?

A

Ritualistic display
Appeasement behaviours
Forming alliances

21
Q

What is meant by ritualistic display?

A

Making self-look bigger and more threatening e.g. baring teeth, raising heckles, banging chest

22
Q

What is meant by appeasement behaviour?

A

Reverse of threat display to show submission. Includes behaviours like grooming,

23
Q

How can alliances benefit organisms?

A

Increases social status of individuals which can lead to increased access to food or mates