Science of Biology
Difference between qualitative and quantitate data?
Qualitative data describes qualities or characteristics EX: Fur color
Quantitate data is numerical and measurable EX: the amount of dogs
What are the three limiting factors?
Abiotic, biotic, life history
In evolutionary studies, it is important that data from independent sources agree in supporting predictions made by a theory. What is this observation called?
Internal consistency
What are the sources of genetic variation?
Mutation, gene duplication, gene flow, sexual reproduction
What is evolution?
A genetic change in populations over time
What is a hypothesis? What is a scientific theory? (What is the difference between everyday theory and scientific theory?
Hypothesis - tentative answer to a well framed scientific questions (must be testable)
Scientific theory - well tested broad explanation for natural events backed by a large body of evidence
A(n) _________ is defined as an evolutionarily independent population or group of populations.
Species
We expect to find more fossils of animals with hard body parts than soft-bodied animals. This is an example of what kind of bias?
Tissue bias
What are the sources of differential reproduction?
Selection
Genetic drift
Why do moderate levels of disturbance result in an increase in species diversity?
Habitats are opened up for less competitive species.
What are the 5 fundamental characteristics of life?
Information - all living organisms can process information encoded in genes as well as information in the environment
Cells - all made of membrane bound cells
Energy - acquire and use energy
Replication - capable of reproduction
Evolution - product of evolution / capable of evolution
Which of the trophic levels use solar energy or chemical energy contained in reduced inorganic compounds to manufacture their own food?
Which of the trophic levels cycles nutrients back into the nutrient cycle?
Primary producers
Decomposers
Why do related species share homologous traits?
Natural - the environment
Artificial - Humans
Sexual - potential mates
When climbing a mountain, we can observe transitions in biological communities that are analogous to the changes_______
In biomes at different attitudes
What is the taxonomic levels of organization?
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Gensus
Species
Explain why there is typically less biomass and fewer individuals and species at the top of a food chain than at the bottom.
10% rule
What are the 6 pieces of evidence for evolution as a scientific theory?
Geologic time
Fossils
Vestigial traits
Direct observations
Homology
Biogeography
What is the most predictable outcome of increased gene flow between two populations?
Decreased genetic difference between the two populations
Name one factor we discussed in class that affects climate at the local scale and describe/define HOW it affects climate.
Answers will vary
What is the difference between fundamental and realized niche?
Fundamental niche - potential area that a species could occupy
Realized niche - actual area that the species occupies
What are species interactions (abiotic, biotic or life history), and what are the three we talked about in class?
Biotic
Competition, consumption, mutualism
What pieces of evidence demonstrated that species share a common ancestor?
Direct observations, homology, biogeography
Explain why genetic drift said to be a random process, but natural selection is not considered random.
Genetic drift is random because the changes in allele frequencies are due to chance, rather than because of their traits.
Selection is non random because traits that are better suited survive because they are better suited, and are then passed on.
Define genetic drift and describe how it influences allele frequencies. Explain why it is more important in small populations than in large populations.
Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies due to chance.
It influences allele frequencies by causing some alleles to become more common, less common, or completely disappear from a population.
Genetic drift is more important in small populations because random events can have a much larger effect when there are fewer individuals. In a large population, chance changes are more likely to balance out.