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Ecology Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| fixed action pattern | a sequence of unlearned acts directly linked to a simple stimulus. Behaviors are unchangeable and usually conducted to completion once started |
| sign stimulus | the releaser that triggers a fixed action pattern (FAP). An external cue. EX: Red triggers male sicklebacks |
| imprinting | a type of learning of a long lasting behavioral response to a particular individual or object at a specific, critical time. Formation of social attachments. (learning and innate compnents) |
| critical period | sensitive phase for optimal imprinting |
| classical conditioning | stimulus associated with an outcome. EX:Pavlov's dog - neutral stimulus is the bell...significant stimulus is the food. |
| operant conditioning | trial and error; associate behavior with reward and punishment. EX: Mice learn to associate reward with a specfic behavior |
| kinesis | the change in RATE of directed movements in response to stimulus |
| taxis | the change in DIRECTION of a directed movement. Automatic movement towards stimulus = positive _____. Movement away from stimulus = negative ______. |
| agonistic behaviors | threatening and submissive rituals/social behaviors that is usually connected to territories or mating. This behavior is symbolic for possible harm but does not result in harm being done. |
| dominance hierarchy | social ranking within a group (pecking order) |
| kin selection | natural selection favors "self sacrifice" by enhancing the reproductive success of relatives |
| population | a group of individuals of the SAME species in the SAME area at the SAME time. |
| exponential population growth | a population that experiences such IDEAL CONDITIONS, it increases in size by a constant proportion at each instant in time. dN ---- = rN dt |
| logistic population growth | the per capita rate of population growth approaches 0 as the population size nears carrying capacity (k) dN (kN) ---- = rN ----- dt N |
| carrying capacity | the limit to the number of individuals that can occupy a habitat due to the limited number of resources. Maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain |
| k-selected | selection of traits that are advantageous at high densities --- late reproduction, few offspring, invests a lot to raising offspring; EX: primates, coconuts |
| r-selected | selection of traits that maximize reproductive success in low densities --- early reproduction, lots of offspring, little parental care; EX: many plants, insects |
| density dependent factors | factors that will only affect large populations. EX: food supply, competition, predators, disease --- the death rate increases with population density or the birth rate falls with rising density |
| density independent factors | factors that affects all populations like abiotic factors (sunlight, temp, rainfall, catastrophes) --- birth or death rates does not change with population density |
| ecological niche | an organism's ecological role/job, Defined by a specific set of biotic and abiotic resources that an organism uses in its environment |
| competitive exclusion | the principle that no two similar species can occupy the same niche at the same time which will eventually lead to extinction |
| symbiosis | an ecological relationship between organisms of two different species that live together in direct and intimate contact. |
| mutualism | a +/+ ecological interaction that benefits individuals of both interacting species |
| commensalism | a +/0 ecological interaction that benefits the individuals of one species but neither harms nor helps the individuals of the other species |
| parasitism | a+/- ecological interaction in which one organism (the parasite) benefits by feeding upon another organism (the host) which is harmed; some parasites live within the host (feeding on its tissue) while others feed on the host's external surface |
| ecosystem | all organisms in a given area as well as abiotic factors with which they interact; one or more communities and physical environment around them |
| consumer | an organism that feeds on producers, other consumers or nonliving organisms |
| producers | an organism that produces organic compounds from CO2 by harnessing light energy (photosynthesis) or by oxidizing inorganic chemicals (chemosynthetic rxn carried out by some prokaryotes) |
| gross primary productivity (GPP) | the total primary production of an ecosystem |
| net primary productivity (NPP) | the pross primary production minus the energy used by the producers for respiration |
| biomass | the total mass of organic matter compromising a group of organisms in a particular habitat |
| biological magnification | a process in which retained substances become more concentrated at each higher trophic level in a food chain |
| primary succession | a type of ecological succession that occurs in an area where there were originally no organisms present and where soil has not formed yet |
| secondary succession | a type of succession that occurs where an existing community has been cleared by some disturbance that leaves the soil or substrate intact. |
| succession | the transition of the species composition of a community following a disturbance; establishment of a community in an area virtually barren of life |
| mimicry | an individual's protection device by emulating something else |
| productivity | the amount of energy available (sun to sugar) |
| habituation | when an animal has a loss of response to stimulus. It has learned to not respond to repeated occurrences. (boy who cried wolf) |
Created by:
aant2077
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