BIOL 2600 FINAL STUDY SET EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
Define Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment that determines
their distribution and abundance.
Compare biotic and abiotic factors
Biotic factors are all things non-living in an environment (temperature, moisture, etc.)
Abiotic Factors are all things living in the environment (interactions between organisms,
predation, competition, etc.)
List in order the ecology spatial scales
Biosphere: global ecosystem.
Landscape: Mosaic of interconnected ecosystems.
Ecosystem: area of organisms and physical factors.
Community: group of populations of different species.
Population: group of individuals of the same species.
Individual: one specific organism.
Define Ecological and Evolutionary timescales
Ecological: Shorter time frame focuses on the interactions between organisms and their
environment
Evolutionary: Longer time frame that spans many generations that explores adaptation
and Natural selection among a population
What are the two natural selection assumptions
, variation is heritable and is found within a population
Survival and reproduction are not random and are impacted by heritable traits
Define Evolution
Changes in allele frequency in a population over time through decent with modification.
ex. Cod fish evolving to reproduce at a younger age to pass along genes before being
caught in fishing nets.
Define ecological trade-offs
The division of energy between different activities.
ex. Energy is used to grow, which means reproduction happens later in life
What are environmental tolerances?
Factors that determine the distribution of a species.
What is the law of the minimum?
Idea that distribution is controlled by the factor with the narrowest range.
What is the shape of tolerance limit curve?
Bell-shaped curve.
What are the optimal conditions for a species?
Conditions at the peak of the tolerance curve.
What are critical lower and upper limits?
Lethal conditions for the species found at the ends of the tolerance curve.
Why do suboptimal conditions often define distribution
Individuals in suboptimal conditions have decreased competitivity. They can interact
and compound with each other (low light and low moisture = bad)
How can species adjust to changing conditions?
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
Define Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment that determines
their distribution and abundance.
Compare biotic and abiotic factors
Biotic factors are all things non-living in an environment (temperature, moisture, etc.)
Abiotic Factors are all things living in the environment (interactions between organisms,
predation, competition, etc.)
List in order the ecology spatial scales
Biosphere: global ecosystem.
Landscape: Mosaic of interconnected ecosystems.
Ecosystem: area of organisms and physical factors.
Community: group of populations of different species.
Population: group of individuals of the same species.
Individual: one specific organism.
Define Ecological and Evolutionary timescales
Ecological: Shorter time frame focuses on the interactions between organisms and their
environment
Evolutionary: Longer time frame that spans many generations that explores adaptation
and Natural selection among a population
What are the two natural selection assumptions
, variation is heritable and is found within a population
Survival and reproduction are not random and are impacted by heritable traits
Define Evolution
Changes in allele frequency in a population over time through decent with modification.
ex. Cod fish evolving to reproduce at a younger age to pass along genes before being
caught in fishing nets.
Define ecological trade-offs
The division of energy between different activities.
ex. Energy is used to grow, which means reproduction happens later in life
What are environmental tolerances?
Factors that determine the distribution of a species.
What is the law of the minimum?
Idea that distribution is controlled by the factor with the narrowest range.
What is the shape of tolerance limit curve?
Bell-shaped curve.
What are the optimal conditions for a species?
Conditions at the peak of the tolerance curve.
What are critical lower and upper limits?
Lethal conditions for the species found at the ends of the tolerance curve.
Why do suboptimal conditions often define distribution
Individuals in suboptimal conditions have decreased competitivity. They can interact
and compound with each other (low light and low moisture = bad)
How can species adjust to changing conditions?
