Unique Species and their Roles in Ecosystems Flashcards
(15 cards)
Define the term ADAPTIONS
traits that suit an environment
Define NICHES
the organisms unique role in an ecosystem
Define REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION
barriers that prevent interbreeding
Define pre-zygotic
organisms are unable to make a zygote
Define post-zygotic
unable to produce a viable zygote that leads to fertile offspring
List the FIVE pre-zygotic mechanisms
Ecological isolation, temporal isolation, mechanical isolation, behavioral isolation and gametic isolation
(the most important are temporal, mechanical and behavioral)
Define temporal isolation
when a species are in the same geographical area, but mating seasons are at different times
Define mechanical isolation
the size difference of the animals means that they cannot physically reproduce
Define behavioral isolation
when an animal has species-specific courtship patterns that fail to impress other species
What are the three ways that we define SPECIES?
Appearance, homology (structures/ body plan), phylogenetic (how similar is the DNA of the species being compared?)
Define BEHAVORIAL ADAPTION
actions or behaviors an organism shows to improve its chances of survival and reproduction in a given environment (e.g. a cheetah can run fast, something practical because they live on a flat plain)
Define STRUCTURAL ADAPTION
a physical characteristic of an organism, like its body shape, size, or internal structures, that has evolved to enhance its survival and reproduction in a specific environment
Define PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTION
Essentially, it’s about how the body works to maintain homeostasis and cope with environmental challenges
(look up for elaborate definition)
Define ecological niches
the role an organism plays within its ecosystem, encompassing all its interactions with both biotic and abiotic
