What is Ecology?
The study of how nature works (vocab term)
Explain the importance of reproduction to the survival of a species.
Reproduction is important to the survival of each population and species as a whole so that they continue to exist.
Explain how genetic homogeneity may cause a population to be more susceptible to extinction.
All members have similar traits so they would be less likely to survive something such as a disease outbreak.
Explain how bobwhite reproduction affects the management of the game bird.
Harvested for sport.
Bag regulations.
Go back to their same nest.
Define limiting factors. Give an example.
Slow a population's growth rate.
Predators, competition, food availability, disease...
Explain how organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biospheres are connected.
Organisms - single living organism, Population - multiple organisms living together in the same area, Communities - multiple populations in the same area interacting, Ecosystem - Populations living in an area with the abiotic and biotic factors, Biosphere - contains every living thing
Explain sexual reproduction and compare it to asexual reproduction.
Two Parents
DNA
Genes
Traits
Explain WHAT SPECIFICALLY causes genetic variation among individuals in a population.
Mutation - Mistake in the DNA
Recombination - chromosomes exchange parts/genetic information that get mixed during meiosis
Describe how resource managers use translocation to increase genetic variation in Missouri's greater prairie chicken population.
Moves them from a thriving population to a non-thriving population.
Establish new flocks. Not having to inbreed.
Populations increase.
Contrast density-dependent and density-independent factors. Give an example of each
DD - affect a population related to population density - disease
DI - affect a population regardless of density - natural disaster
Explain how ecologists conduct research and give an example an ecologist might ask.
Observations, Hypothesis, Data, Conclusion
EX. How does water affect the temperature of a bull frog?
Explain the DISADVANTAGES of asexual and sexual reproduction
Asexual - offspring identical, die in environmental changes
Sexual - must have male/female, uses lots of energy
Explain how environmental factors and variation lead to differential reproduction (the rate at which an individual survives and reproduces).
Better able to survive in an environment due to mutation or change.
Attracted more to mates.
Population size - count
Population density
Population dispersion
Explain how Carrying Capacity affects a population's growth.
Limiting factors. Not enough resources. Deaths outnumber births.
Give an example of a question ecologist might ask at the population and community level.
Population: How many river otters can the Grand River watershed support?
Community: Do red-winged blackbirds and marsh wrens compete for nesting sites?
Explain the ADVANTAGES of Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Asexual - less energy, reproduce quick
Sexual - Genetically unique, can survive environmental changes
Explain how variation gives some individuals a better chance for survival and reproduction.
Reproducing at a higher rate because more are living longer.
Variation gives ways to better adapt.
Explain what causes populations to increase/decrease.
Birth, death, immigration, emmigration
Describe ways resource managers sample populations.
Quadrats - count individuals in specific quadrats
Transect - walk a line and count
Scat, nests, hair, evidence left behind.
Mark and recapture
CH 3 Question - Explain the difference between biological and cultural carrying capacity.
Biological - habitat an area will support
Cultural - number of individuals that PEOPLE will tolerate.
Explain asexual reproduction and the four types discussed in class.
One parent to produce a new organism.
Binary Fission - single cell divides into new cell
Budding - mass of cells grow off parent body
Parthenogenesis - Eggs develop without fertilization
Vegetative - Part of plant breaks off and begins growing
Explain each and how they fit together.
Different traits - Variation
Passed from parent to offspring - Heredity
Having traits to survive and reproduce more - DR
When all three occur together organisms are better adapted to their environment to be able to survive and reproduce.
Explain how populations grow in the presence of abundant resources.
More food, space, nesting = slowly, then quickly growing populations. Exponential growth.
Contrast compensatory vs additive mortality.
Compensatory - different causes of death balance our and compensate.
Additive - different causes of death add to each other