Botany and Ecology

• What is the definition of ecology?

  The study of organisms in relation to their environment and each other.
• How many levels are there in the hierarchical levels of ecology?

  Three levels.
• What are the three levels of ecological hierarchy?

  1. Organisms
  2. Species interactions
  3. Communities and ecosystems
• What is the relationship between organisms and their environment according to natural selection?

  Many organisms are suited to their environments through the selection of their ancestors.
• How does natural selection influence traits in organisms?

  Natural selection molds traits based on past environments, favoring those that enhance fitness.
• What factors influence the distribution of species?

  Species are distributed according to abiotic conditions, resource availability, and competition levels.
• What are ecotypes?

  Differences between populations that do not interbreed and live in different environments.
• Why are many species under pressure to adapt?

  Many species face environmental pressures, such as drier areas, that necessitate adaptation.
• How does local adaptation benefit conservation efforts?

  Local adaptations facilitate the transplantation and reintroduction of species, aiding conservation.
• What is the effect of hybridization on local adaptations?

  Hybridization can outweigh local adaptations across all but the largest scales.
• What is genetic polymorphism?

  Distinct trait differences within a population.
• What is frequency-dependent selection?

  It is when a rare morph is not recognized by predators, making it more fit when rare.
• What is an example of anthropogenic selection pressure?

  The case of the peppered moth affected by pollution from coal burning.
• How is a species defined?

  A group of organisms with distinctive heritable traits forming a distinct gene pool.
• What allows for the evolution of new species?

  Turning off genetic mixing allows for adaptation to different environmental conditions.
• What is ecological speciation?

  Speciation that occurs from different selection regimes in subpopulations within different environments.
• What is allopatric speciation?

  Speciation that occurs when two populations of the same species become isolated.
• What is sympatric speciation?

  Speciation that occurs within the same species but evolves differently until they can no longer interbreed.
• How do islands contribute to speciation?

  • Islands provide ecological opportunities for new species to evolve into niches.
  • This process is known as adaptive radiation, where rapid evolution occurs from one ancestral species.
• What is the significance of phenotypic variety on islands?

  Islands can lead to a variety of phenotypes adapted to different diets.
• How does the movement of land masses affect species evolution?

  Isolation from land mass movement can lead to the evolution of new species and redistribution of biomes.
• What must species do in response to new environmental conditions?

  Species must adapt to new environmental conditions, which can take time.
• What is convergent evolution?

  It is when organisms in different groups evolve different traits to adapt to the same conditions.
• What is parallel evolution?

  It occurs when separate groups radiate similarly after becoming isolated, facing similar challenges.
• What are terrestrial biomes?

  • Large ecological zones containing communities of flora and fauna.
  • Characteristics are shaped by the environment.
• What are aquatic biomes?

  • Freshwater biomes have little salt.
  • Marine biomes have high salt concentrations, requiring species adaptations.
• What is the purpose of classification in ecology?

  Classification groups species by their characteristics.
• What was Raunkier’s classification based on?

  It was based on the position of the bud in cold/dry conditions.
• How do biomes vary in terms of species?

  The number of species varies with each biome.
• How does species diversity within communities manifest?

  • Large diversity exists within communities.
  • Species coexist by filling diverse ecological roles (e.g., herbivore, predator, decomposer).
  • Coexistence is facilitated by environmental heterogeneity and niche partitioning.
• What are abiotic factors in ecology?

  Abiotic factors are non-living environmental influences like temperature and pH.
• How do abiotic factors influence organisms?

  They influence the functioning of organisms, such as growth and reproduction.
• What are optimum conditions for organisms?

  Optimum conditions are those that produce the most offspring, indicating fitness.
• What is a limiting factor in ecology?

  A limiting factor is any condition that exceeds an organism's tolerance.
• Why is temperature considered the most important condition for organisms?

  Temperature affects metabolism, growth, development, and size.
• How do extreme temperatures affect organisms?

  Extreme temperatures can be perceived differently by organisms, such as penguins in Antarctica.
• What is the impact of temperature on ecosystem productivity?

  Differing temperatures can significantly affect the productivity of ecosystems.
• What are endotherms?

  Organisms that regulate their body temperature by producing heat internally.
• What are ectotherms?

  Organisms that rely on external heat resources to regulate their body temperature.
• What is the difference between eurythermal and stenothermal organisms?

  Eurythermal organisms adapt to general temperatures, while stenothermal organisms adapt to extreme temperatures.