Ecology and Evolution Study guide
ECO EVO Study Guide
Major Themes:
Darwin’s Postulate
1. Heritable variation – (genotype) models of 1-3 loci, usually 2 alleles, produce heritable phenotypes
2. Organisms engage in a struggle for existence – per capita growth rates from survival and reproduction
3. Heritable traits influence outcome of the struggle – variation affects the struggle; phenotypes (determined by genotypes) influence per capita growth rates
3 Big Questions Biologists seek to answer:
1. Diversity of life in time and space – the three domains; the grand procession of life
2. Distribution and abundance of species
3. Fit of form and function
Evolutionary Ecology relation between ecological processes and adaptive evolution. Examples of ecological processes are predation, competition, disease, mutualism, etc.
Adaptation:
Fitness – per capita growth rate of species, gene, a phenotypic strategy , it is a rate
Guiding bedrock Principles:
1. Population of all organism can grow exponentially under ideal conditions:
a. 1st Law of Ecology: “everything is connected to everything else”; Ecosystems are complex and interconnected. Humans and animals and nature depend on each other for a balance. If system is under extreme stress, can undergo catastrophe.
2. Populations of all organisms experience limits to growth:
a. 2nd Law of Ecology: “Everything must go somewhere” matter and energy are preserved and waste produced in one ecological process is recycled in another. As resources are depleted, population growth rate slows and stops. Carrying capacity= number of individuals of a particular population that environment can support.
3. Heritable traits influence success of organisms in limiting environments
Terms to be Familiar with:
1. Phenotype: Outward, physical manifestation; physical parts, cells, structure, metabolism, tissues, behaviors, etc. Anything part of the observable structure
2. Genotype: “internally coded inheritable info”;
Major Themes:
Darwin’s Postulate
1. Heritable variation – (genotype) models of 1-3 loci, usually 2 alleles, produce heritable phenotypes
2. Organisms engage in a struggle for existence – per capita growth rates from survival and reproduction
3. Heritable traits influence outcome of the struggle – variation affects the struggle; phenotypes (determined by genotypes) influence per capita growth rates
3 Big Questions Biologists seek to answer:
1. Diversity of life in time and space – the three domains; the grand procession of life
2. Distribution and abundance of species
3. Fit of form and function
Evolutionary Ecology relation between ecological processes and adaptive evolution. Examples of ecological processes are predation, competition, disease, mutualism, etc.
Adaptation:
Fitness – per capita growth rate of species, gene, a phenotypic strategy , it is a rate
Guiding bedrock Principles:
1. Population of all organism can grow exponentially under ideal conditions:
a. 1st Law of Ecology: “everything is connected to everything else”; Ecosystems are complex and interconnected. Humans and animals and nature depend on each other for a balance. If system is under extreme stress, can undergo catastrophe.
2. Populations of all organisms experience limits to growth:
a. 2nd Law of Ecology: “Everything must go somewhere” matter and energy are preserved and waste produced in one ecological process is recycled in another. As resources are depleted, population growth rate slows and stops. Carrying capacity= number of individuals of a particular population that environment can support.
3. Heritable traits influence success of organisms in limiting environments
Terms to be Familiar with:
1. Phenotype: Outward, physical manifestation; physical parts, cells, structure, metabolism, tissues, behaviors, etc. Anything part of the observable structure
2. Genotype: “internally coded inheritable info”;