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Bio 1306 Final Exam- NEW STUFF
vocabulary terms and key concepts- NEW STUFF
106
Biology
Undergraduate 1
05/04/2011

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Term
effectors
Definition
organs that carry out the commands of the Central Nervous System. most common is muscles.
Term
Cilia/Flagella
Definition
*propel an organism through a typical pattern of beating. move by microtubules, which have a typical pattern of arrangement: 9 pair surrounding a central pair, dynein activity and claw-like arms*, lengthening and shortening drive flagella/cilia.
action of flagella is very similar/identical to that of cilia, only difference is less numbers present.
Term
Uses of cilia/flagella other than moving
Definition
feeding, locomotion, propel water past gills, keep respiratory passages clear, drive fluids into excretory tubes, propulsion of sperm.
Term
Ameoboid movement
Definition
movement via psuedopodia. this movement is used in ameobas and some cells of higher animals. NOT FINISHED
Term
skeletal systems
Definition
the rigid supports against which muscles pull to create directed movement. there are three types: hydrostatic skeletons, endoskeletons, and exoskeletons.
Term
Hydrostatic skeletons
Definition
consist of a volume of fluid enclosed in a body cavity surrounded by muscle. when muscles oriented in one direction (circular or horizontal) contract, the fluid-filled body cavity bulges out in the opposite direction. found in cnidarians, annelids, and other soft-bodied invertebrates. earthworms are a good example. they use muscles, hydrostatic skeleton, and setae to move. they alternately contract circular muscles (setae withdrawn) and longitudinal muscles (setae extended). circular muscles contract to stretch earthworm, longitudinal muscles contract to make segments wider. bristles help the widest parts of the body to hold firm against the substratum. *hydrostatic skeletons rely upon fluid pressure to keep body rigid, allowing muscle to push/pull against it*
Term
Exoskeletons
Definition
it is a hardened, rigid outer surface to which muscles can be attached. it is most advance in arthropods (insects). its ultimate functions are support against gravity and attachment for muscles. the insect exoskeleton is made of hardened plates of glucosamine, secreted by a layer of cells just below the exoskeleton, connected by elastic walls/tissues. the muscles are attached to the inner walls. the actual exoskeleton is non-cellular, made up of chitin, which can be very hard and layers the cuticle.
Term
Endoskeletons
Definition
it is an internal scaffolding on which muscles are attached to and pull against. composed primarily of two materials- bone and cartilage. cartilage is composed of widely spaced cells called chondrocytes. the chondrocytes produce and maintain the cartilagenous matrix, which consists mainly of protein (collagen) and carbs. bone is composed of living cells called osteocytes which lie within small lacunae (cavities in the bone).
Term
two types of bone
Definition
cancellous (spongy) and compact. cancellous is found at the ends of compact bones and has many cavities. compact bones are dense hollow cylinders surrounding a central cavity that contains bone marrow, where the cellular elements of the blood are made.
Term
two vertebral skeletal systems
Definition
Axial skeleton: consists of the skull, spine, and ribs; as well as muscles involved with life function.
Appendicular skeleton: consists of the appendages and associated bones; muscles do work of moving the body.
Term
3 Ways of Joining of bones
Definition
1. Fused: skull
2. Ligaments: connect bone to bone
3. Tendons: connect bone to muscle
Term
3 different types of muscle
Definition
1. Skeletal: large, multinucleate, striated because of actin/myosin bands
2. Smooth: associated width internal organs and arteries
3. Cardiac: more branched than smooth muscle
Term
General characteristics of all muscles
Definition
contraction is active, elongation is passive
Term
Antagonistic activity of skeletal muscles
Definition
flexor muscles bend an appendage, extensor muscles relax an appendage.
Term
Muscle organization
Definition
the skeletal muscle cells are called "muscle fibers". two main proteins are actin and myosin. there are bands in the striated muscle: I bands (low density), A bands (high density), H zone (moderate density), Z line.
Term
sarcomere
Definition
the contractile unit in skeletal muscle, a bunch of these make up a myofibril. each one is made of overlapping filaments of actin and myosin, which create a distinct banding pattern that is responsible for "striated" muscle, and attaches to a Z line.
Term
Contraction results in structural changes
Definition
note that: the sarcomere shortens, H zone and I band shrink, A band stays the same.
Term
Ultrastructure of myofibrils
Definition
*relaxation is accomplished by breaking all connections. contraction is begun by a nervous impulse; neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction- causes depolarization of the muscle membrane.
Term
Actin and Myosin
Definition
thick myosin is in A band, and H zone is strictly made up of myosin.
thin actin is in A band, and I band is strictly made up of actin.
contraction happens when actin slides together over myosin.
Term
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and T system
Definition
T system: a distribution system of tubules that descend into the muscle fiber cytoplasm and surround the muscle fibers. this system of "Transverse tubules" helps spread the action potential through the muscle. SR: a closed compartment surrounding every myofibril. calcium pumps in the SR take up Ca2+ ions from the sarcoplasm, so that when the muscle fiber is at rest there is a higher concentration of Ca2+ in the SR and a lower concentration in the sarcoplasm.
calcium ions are are responsible for electrical changes necessary to make muscle contract. however, calcium cannot make simultaneous contraction though. the sarcoplasmic reticulum and T system help with this process. contraction is stimulated by an influx of calcium ions across the membrane, through the T system and SR. relaxation involves active transport of calcium ions out of the muscle matrix and into the SR and T system.
Term
Molecular Basis for muscle contraction
Definition
actin filaments is a helical arrangement of actin monomers. twisted around the actin helix are two strands of tropomyosin, which serves as a blocker to all sites where myosin can attach to actin. at regular intervals on the actin filament are globular proteins called troponin, made up of 3 subunits that serve as binding sites. one subunit binds actin, another binds tropomyosin, and another binds Ca2+.
at rest, the tropomyosin strands are blocking the actin-myosin binding sites. when Ca2+ is released into the sarcoplasm, it binds to troponin, changing the conformation of tropomyosin. the binding sites are now exposed, and actin-myosin bonds are formed. next the two filaments are pulled in opposite directions of each other (thanks to the myosin head), and the muscle fiber contracts. the muscle fiber returns to resting state when calcium pumps remove the Ca2+ ions from the sarcoplasm and tropomyosin goes back to its original blocking state.
Term
Contraction is generated by a nervous impulse
Definition
neurotransmitters are release at the neuromuscular junction, causing depolarization of the pre-synaptic membrane. Na+ comes in, causing voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to open. Ca2+ enters the cells and triggers the vesicles to release ACh into the synaptic cleft. ACh binds to receptors on postsynaptic membrane, causing the depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane via Na+ rushing in once again. this spreading depolarization fires an action potential along the postsynaptic membrane. the action potential then travels down through T tubules, causing the release of Ca2+ stored in the SR. this release of Ca2+ stimulates muscle contraction because it binds to troponin, shifting the position of tropomyosin and allowing myosin to bind to actin. ATP hydrolysis causes myosin head to pivot, pushing the actin filament in the opposite direction of the myosin filament. when Ca2+ is taken back up by the SR, muscle contraction is terminated.
Term
Animal Behavior
Definition
anything an animal does and how it does it. an animal directly interacts with its environment through behavior. every behavior has a cost and a reason (benefit). behavior is performed if the benefit is greater than cost.
Term
Innate Behaviors
Definition
include kinesis, taxis, and instincts
Term
Kinesis
Definition
the animal increases/decreases level of activity as a result of environment; this corresponds to the level of comfort. example is students are more hyperactive on test day.
Term
Taxis
Definition
this is the orientation response, it is guided by a stimulus- can either lead the animal to or away from certain stimulus. 4 types: phototaxis- response to light, chemotaxis- response to chemical, phonotaxis- response to sound, geotaxis- response to gravity.
Term
Instincts
Definition
much more complex behavior responding to a single stimulus- not learned.
Fixed action patterns are genetically determined behaviors that: are performed without learning, are stereotypic, and cannot be modified by learning. fixed action patterns are generally in response to a specific stimuli, which are called releasers.
Term
Habituation
Definition
animals must receive appropriate outcome after enacting a certain response to a stimulus or that response will cease.
multiple reactions to a given stimulus that do not result in the appropriate change will eventually result in the animal not responding to that stimulus
Term
Imprinting
Definition
the formation of the parent-offspring bond through visual learning; occurs during the critical period when animals learn certain stimuli- 5 to 25 hours after birth. baby learns what mom looks like; important for future reproduction.
Term
Operant Conditioning
Definition
also known as learning; animals learn based on reward-punishment, perform more if reward and less if punished. reward/punishment has to come very quickly after behavior is performed. ultimate learning = random reward
Term
Insight
Definition
ability of an animal to solve a problem without experience.
Wolfgang Kohler- chimps and bananas. the chimps learned to maneuver available resources to obtain the out of reach banana.
Term
Classification of Observations
Definition
Occam's Razor: the simplest possible explanation is usually the best.
Morgan's Canon: never attribute a higher level of mental functioning to an animal that is inconsistent with data.
Term
Finding food and feeding
Definition
all animals must learn to find food. animals can be classified as generalists or specialists based upon the food that they eat; generalists- cows, specialists- anteaters.
Term
Animals must maximize food-obtaining abilities
Definition
energy expended while finding/obtaining food must be less than the energy obtained from the food.
Term
search image
Definition
concept that deals with animals maximizing energy. they ignore what they are not looking for, helping them reduce the amount of energy used in finding food. adaptations of animal's behavior reduce energy in obtaining food.
Term
expenditure of energy once food is found
Definition
there is usually still a cost in obtaining food after it is found; wolves seek older, sicker animals- less energy cost in obtaining.
Term
Orientation/Migration in birds
Definition
migration in birds and homing ability in other animals involves complex systems of orientation. the first cue in navigation is sun/stars. birds can also see magnetic fields.
birds migrate from a poor environment to a warmer/better one, and sometimes back.
Term
Pigeons
Definition
fly around in a seemingly random pattern before choosing a path straight home. also seem to lose way and become disoriented over certain spots, characteristic of a disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. pigeons can still fly home if eyesight is disrupted or even lost. this is because their otoliths are made of iron and respond to Earth's magnetic field.
Term
Social Behavior
Definition
involves interactions with other animals of the same species. all forms of social behavior involve communication.
Term
Communication
Definition
most common in a sexual nature.
Sound: species specific
Chemical: pheromone- a chemical substance used in communication between organisms of the same species
Visual: courtship dance, butterflies, honey dance of bees- dance tells other bees direction and distance of food source; angle cut in circle indicates orientation of food in relation to the sun, intensity of abdomen wiggles tells how far to fly.
Term
Spatial distribution
Definition
as density increases, so do social interactions. Individual distance- even at greatest density there is still going to be some distance between animals; "space bubble" for humans.
*Territory: always associated with a resource; it is a defined space with a resource that is defended.
*Home range: a defined region, derives from the ability to exploit a larger area of resource as a group; related to herding animals.
Term
Pecking Orders (better known as social organizations)
Definition
based upon dominance relationships. each individual has a position. organization is held stable by knowing your position. provides reduced conflict within the group and a great deal of stability, little aggression between members of the group. is a means of addressing efficiency to feeding.
Term
Mating Systems
Definition
Monogamy: one male, one female
Polygamy: one male, multiple females
Polyandry: multiple males, one female
Promiscuity: mating with anything that produces offspring

Factors involved: parental investment (loving offspring). determined first by gamete; how much energy goes into producing egg/sperm, what does it take to raise offspring until it can survive on its own (feeding, care, incubation, nest-building, protection)

Mating system that the animal uses is determined by equality/inequality of parental investment. relative equality = monogamy. inequality = polygamy/polyandry. when female investment is much greater than male investment, it is polygamy (ex: horses, chickens). when male investment is much greater than female investment, it is polyandry (ex: certain types of fish where male builds nest, female swims by and drops off eggs, and male cares for eggs until they hatch)
Term
Costs/benefits of pheromones
Definition
because of the diversity of their molecular structures, pheromones can communicate very specific, information-rich messages. they are effective day and night, and they can cover a broad range of transmission distances. when used to mark territories, the pheromone can reveal a great deal about the individual (sexual status, etc).
no real costs
Term
Costs/benefits of visual signals
Definition
these signals offer the advantage of rapid delivery of information over considerable distances; they also convey without ambiguity of the position of the signaler.
they are not very useful at night or in environments that lack light, such as caves and oceans depths. also, they can be intercepted fairly easily by other species
Term
Costs/benefits of sound
Definition
can be used at night and in dark environments. they are not hindered by objects that would interfere with visual signals, so they can be transmitted in complex environments such as forests. often better at getting the attention of the receiver because they do not have to be looking at the signaler. useful for communicating over long distances.
can place the signaler at risk for detection by predators.
Term
Ecology
Definition
the scientific investigation of interactions among organisms and their physical environment; along with communities and large scale nature in general.
it is NOT environmentalism. ecology is a science that generates knowledge about interactions in the natural world. as a field of inquiry, it is not inherently focused on human concerns.
its ultimate goal is to identify and understand the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) forces that influence the distribution and abundance of organisms.
Term
Ecosystems- Introduction
Definition
*life exists only in a narrow shell extending about 3 miles deep and 5 miles high; this 8 mile shell contains all of the life in the universe as we know.

an ecosystem is defined as any ecological system with defined boundaries. it includes all of the organisms within those boundaries as well as the physical and chemical factors that influence those organisms. the global ecosystem is described above^^, which Durkohff is focusing on
Term
Sunlight
Definition
the source of energy for the Earth. (10 to the 24th) calories of energy reach outer atmosphere from the sun each year. 30% of that is reflected, 20% is absorbed by atmosphere, and the remaining 50% reaches the surface. that 50% that reaches the surface is reflected back into the atmosphere.
Radiant energy and rotation establishes pattern of wind/rain/ocean currents; surface features (like mountains, etc) also effect these conditions.
Term
Energy and Nutrients
Definition
energy moves through ecosystems in one direction- it cannot be recycled. nearly all energy comes from the sun, and enters the ecosystem through plants, which either use or store the energy that consumers will later eat.

nutrients (materials) cycle through ecosystems
Term
Biogeochemical Cycles
Definition
the movement of inorganic elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon through living organisms and the physical environment. includes the water cycle, carbon cycle, phosphorus cycle, nitrogen cycle, and sulfur cycle.
Term
Water Cycle
Definition
Evaporation -> condensation -> precipatation
transpiration: water absorbed by plant, then eaten by animal.
Term
Carbon Cycle
Definition
CO2 in atmosphere is taken up by plants where it is altered into carbs, sugars, etc. Plants are eaten, and the animal incorporates carbon-containing compounds into its own tissues through digestion. respiration releases CO2 into the air. plants absorb the CO2 in the air, and the cycle continues.

unusual circumstance: when plants die and overwhelm decomposers, it becomes covered with sediment, and pressure and heat create peroleum (fossil fuel).
Term
Phosphorus Cycle
Definition
phosphates in soil are absorbed by plants, essentially the same as Carbon Cycle- used, incorporated, released, used...
excretion of phosphates complicated by processes of farming.
Term
Nitrogen Cycle
Definition
nitrates are taken up by plants, plants convert to ammonia, animal eats plants, and it either excretes nitrogenous wastes or dies and decomposes to release nitrogen products back into soil.
Term
Energy in Ecosystems
Definition
energy enters via sunlight and photosynthesis. less than 1% of radiant energy that reaches the earth is transformed by photosynthesis.

materials cycle through ecosystems, energy does not. photosynthesis converts energy into carbon-containing compounds; not directly into ATP, convert into carbs and use those carbs to make everything else. everything living requires energy to stay alive.
Term
Members of an Ecosystem
Definition
Producers- photosynthesis
Consumers- ingest living things
Decomposers- break down dead things; specialized consumer
Term
Food Chains
Definition
description of a direct relationship between animals based on what they eat; *help us understand the flow of energy between animals*. basic pattern: sunlight -> producers -> primary consumers -> secondary consumers -> decomposers; with a few interruptors
Term
Food Webs
Definition
variety of plants eaten by a variety of animals, which are in turn eaten by a variety of animals. idea that everything is interrelated between living things. *help us understand relationships among organisms*.
Term
energy moves in ONE direction
Definition
Numbers: more producers than primary consumers, more primary consumers than secondary consumers, etc. this is a result of the flow of energy.
Biomass: biological mass of organisms. same concept- "dry" weight of plant material >>> "dry weight of primary consumers.
Productivity: about 35% of energy taken in by plant simply goes to keeping the plant alive. consumers only get energy from physical compound of what they eat; cannot get energy that went into keeping that food alive.
Term
3 important principles of food chains
Definition
1. complete food chain begins with a producer and ends with a decomposer
2. shorter chain = most efficient (producer to decomposer is most efficient)
3. size of a population is determined by its position in the food chain. the more organisms that need to be fed, the more energy required to feed them, thus the lower they are on the food chain
Term
Gross Productivity
Definition
energy available to an organism
Term
Net productivity
Definition
energy it can pass on to another organism.
Example: eat a pound, gain an ounce. pound is gross, ounce is net
Term
Population dynamics- Introduction
Definition
defined as the patterns and processes of change in populations. in ecology, major concerns are levels of populations and communities. this looks at populations to determine how communities work, how long they persist.
Term
Basic periods of life histories (in population dynamics)
Definition
growth; dispersal; reproduction Life Table: a means of studying the survival of a population over time. Two methods to study: vertical and horizontal. a horizontal life table follows a population throughout its life. this strategy is able to observe growth, dispersal, and reproduction patterns easily. it maps the number of individuals over a given amount of time. a vertical life table samples a population at a point in time to determine the various proportions of individuals at a given age class. Lx is number of given individuals in a certain time frame, Mx is reproductive rate at any give age class.
Term
Exponential Population Growth
Definition
*populations always follow a specific pattern of growth, which turns exponential. factors determining growth: birth rate (b), death rate (d), initial population size. b-d=positive, population is increasing; b-d=negative, population is decreasing. so there are two components: intrinsic factors (birth and death; inherent qualities of species) and population size.

R=(b-d)N
Rate of growth=(births-deaths)Size of the population
Rate of growth is change in number of individuals divided by change in time.
Term
Concept of Carrying Capacity (K)
Definition
*maximum number of individuals that a population can have in a given environment; determined by resources, disease, predation, social interactions, etc. As N approaches K (carrying capacity of population), birth rates decline and death rates increase.
Term
Mathematical model for carrying capacity
Definition
R=(b-d)N((K-N)/K)
^logistic growth equation. if N rises above K, then population will decline back to K. if N>K then (K-N)<0, so R is negative. (K-N)/K is proportion of carrying capacity that remains to be filled.
Term
other factors affecting the carrying capacity
Definition
K is not constant: drought, predators, food, construction all affect K.
Birth rate is determined by inherent nature of organism; number of young it is capable of reproducing and number of reproductive cycles it will have.
Birth and Death rates are correlated for most species. if N remains constant, b and d cancel out. if N is decreasing, bd.
Term
age structure
Definition
can be used to evaluate population dynamics and tell population trends. it is a comparison of relative numbers of populations; reproductive and post-repro can be used to tell future growth/decline of population. pre-repro>repro>post-repro = expanding population. pre-repro=repro=post-repro = stable population. pre-repro
Term
Logistic Growth
Definition
the population exhibits decreasing growth as resources become limited; it will display an S-shaped graph. this graph will indicated that the carrying capacity has been reached and the population stops growing.
Term
Density-dependent factors
Definition
factors whose effect varies directly with the density of the population. as population increases, the effect of the factor increases. examples include competition within population, predation, disease. these factors are predictable, thus populations can adapt to them. population adapts by employing "life history strategies". R-SELECTED SPECIES maximize the (b-d) component of the logistic equation and PRODUCE TONS OF OFFSPRING. K-SELECTED SPECIES maximize the ability of the population to track K in the (K-N)/K component of the equation and ARE MORE STABLE; these species maintain and persist at or near the carrying capacity of their environment.
Term
Density-independent factors
Definition
examples include weather and changes in habitats as a result of the normal activity of other populations. usually abiotic factors, while biotic factors usually act in a density-dependent manner.
Term
Human Population Patterns
Definition
growth pattern is still essentially exponential. delaying average age of reproduction slows rate of population growth. K for human populations- density-dependent factors include resources and disease
Term
population interactions
Definition
ways populations interact include: predator-prey interactions (involves every organism), competition (within and between populations), and symbioses (2 organisms interacting and living with each other).
Term
Predator-Prey relationships
Definition
every organism is a part of a food web. highly density-dependent. relationship between size of predator and prey determines how prey are taken: same size- individually, prey smaller- prey taken in groups (cows and grass), prey larger- predators attack in groups (wolves and moose). predators can eat a wide variety of organisms as prey; varied diet provides more nutritional gain.
Term
Defense mechanisms in plants
Definition
1. thorns, thistles; very difficult to digest
2. toxic compounds
3. altered growth pattern; grass grows from base so when top is cut it can continue to grow
Term
Defense mechanisms in animals
Definition
1. shells; make it harder to obtain food
2. cryptic coloration; camoflauge
3. speed; makes animals more costly (energy wise) to obtain
4. weapons; horns and other things used in defense make the animal more costly.
Term
Types of predation
Definition
1. filter feeders: catches big particles
2. detrivores: eat dead animals
3. parasitoids: obtain high quality of food- kills host
4. herbivores: eat plant material
5. carnivores: eats other animals; higher quality meal requires more energy
Term
Foraging Theory
Definition
predator must make many decisions: where to forage (memory, smelling winds, footprints, etc), how to find prey, which prey to choose, all of which relate to maximizing energy.
How to maximize energy: minimize time pursuing/handling prey, minimize risk of damage from prey.
Prey heirarchy: prey differ in energy return- usually related to size; prey are taken as long as they return more energy than is necessary to obtain them
Term
Predation and Population size
Definition
predation is the most important density-dependent factor in regulation of population size; works both ways. stage of life at which predation occurs may be an important factor in reproductive strategy; if young are eaten more often, species produces more young. predation tends to eliminate less fit: the old and ill.
Term
Predator-Prey Cycles
Definition
more cows leads to less grass which leads to less cows which leads to more grass. prey increases, predators increase shortly after, prey decreases, predators decrease, so on...
Term
Mimicry as a means of avoiding predation
Definition
model: monarch butterfly isn't suitable prey because it eats milkweed, viceroy mimics monarch.
Batesian mimicry: edible animal mimics inedible animal. Rules for success: range of mimic and model must overlap, mimics must coevolve with the model, mimics must be rarer than model, mimics must occur later than model.
Mullerian Mimicry: evolve to look like each other because both species are equally dangerous. example: yellow and black insects. can have batesian mimics too
Term
Competition
Definition
involves direct and indirect competition. resource competition can be interspecific (between 2 or more populations) or intrAspecific (within A population).
Term
Competitive Exclusion
Definition
two species cannot compete for same resource indefinitely; one will become extinct or they will both evolve to partition resource. this is common is organism competition. example: certain species of warblers stick to a certain part og pine tree when territory overlaps with other warblers.
Term
Symbioses
Definition
Parasitism: one population benefits, the other does not; the organism must coevolve with host (food source), the key to success is not killing it, but eventually it will.
Term
Interactions
Definition
categorized based on end result- who benefits?
most common is predator-prey
2nd most common is competition
Term
Mutualism
Definition
both populations benefit.
rhizobium and legumes: nitrogen-fixing bacteria
ants and acacias: acacias produce nectar not associated with flower to attract ants, ants live in hollowed out thorns and harvest nectaries and protect acacia trees and remove competitive vegatation on the forest floor
leaf miner ants and mold: ants cup up leaves, eat, regurgitate, and allow to certain mold to grow; provide mold with nutrients, eventually harvesting mold for food
Term
Commensalism
Definition
one population benefits while the other is unaffected; birds and trees
Term
Amensalism
Definition
one population is harmed and other is unaffected; very rare
Term
Concept of Niche
Definition
an organism's role in its environment. fundamental niche is potential of the organism. realized niche role is not actually played; example: partitioning of environment reduces fundamental niche
Term
Communities
Definition
groups of interacting populations
Term
Ecosystems
Definition
groups of interacting communities
Term
Macrodescriptors
Definition
include guilds- organisms that have a common method of feeding/doing something. examples of guilds include "seed-eaters", carnivores, "egg-layers". the more guilds an ecosystem has, the more niches it can fill and the more robust it becomes.

species diversity or richness is number of species present. more diverse leads to more complex ecosystem; diversity: weighted measure based on abundance of species.
Term
Ecological Succession
Definition
*change in composition of an ecosystem over time. populations become established, exist for some time, then decline. it is the dynamic process of change. involves constant modification of physical environment; activities of each population alter the environment and allow new populations to become established, initial conditions are such that few populations can survive (pioneer communities).
Term
two types of ecological succession
Definition
Primary: begins where no community has existed before; lake shore line, bare rock, volcanic island.
Secondary: reestablishes a disrupted ecosystem; return of farmland.
succession results in a climax community, which is determined by climatic conditions and physical environment.
Term
Aspects of succession
Definition
1. species composition changes constantly
2. total number of species increases rapidly, then levels off
3. net primary productivity increases rapidly early, then levels off as plants die and are replaced
4. organic material in soil increases early then levels off.
5. height/complexity of plants increases
6. food webs become more complex
Term
Biomes
Definition
Tundra: permafrost prevents growth of large, complex plants
Boreal forest/taiga: stays above freezing for a few more months, allowing for forests to grow, but doesn't support complex systems; mostly evergreens
Deciduous forest: warmer weather, MORE PRECIPITATION
Grasslands: low precipitation, more heat; grass becomes dormant without rain; grass is climax system
Deserts: C4 plants; high temp and very little rain
Tropical Rainforest: no variation in high temp; lots of rainfall
Aquatic Habitats: marine and freshwater; organisms depend on temperature and light conditions
Term
Biogeography
Definition
the distribution of plants and animals over the surface of the globe.

constraints on species composition of communities- factors which determine whether a species is present in a given location- include climate and species availability.

species distribution is studied in biogeography historically (never been there) and ecologically (cannot survive there)
Term
Conditions for other species presence
Definition
physiological capacity to survive (gills, lungs, ureotelic, etc), ecological capacity for success (nutrients, competition), physical access to location (mountains, island).
Term
Physical Access
Definition
*physical limitations of species distribution. continental drift, motility, historical.
Term
Ecological Capacity
Definition
physical aspects (conditions) of environment. limitation by competitors. concept of constant species number- carrying capacity of an environment; equilibrium number of species existing in an ecosystem; there can be substitutions of species.
Term
Island Biogeography
Definition
islands are used as a model. it is a concept of carrying capacity equilibria. the theory is based on progression in formation of an island ecosystem.
Term
factors determining species number in island biogeography
Definition
*species number is determined by factors affecting immigration and extinction.

size of island
diverstiy of habitats
proximity to mainland (source of immigrants)
Term
predictions confirmed by observations
Definition
mangrove islands off the coast of florida. cataloged everything on island, killed it and charted recolonation. within 280 days, all 4 islands returned to the exact same number of species that were there before, even if species composition differed- new species filled niches. observations proved constant number of species for an environment
Term
Habitat islands
Definition
habitats on lands that mimic islands, such as grassland bordered by mountains or an oasis in a desert.
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