BIO1042 Questions
trophic levels
The hierarchical levels of the food chain through which energy flows from primary producers to primary consumers, secondary consumers and so on.
Green World Hypothesis
Terrestrial herbivores consume relatively little plant biomass because they are held in check by predators, parasites and disease.
anhydrobiosis
The ability to survive in a dormant state when an organism's habitat dries up, often due to trehalose (disaccharide sugar e.g. Tardigrade)
bioaccumulation
The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.
critical load
The amount of added nutrient that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem
heat load
The amount of heat that must be added or removed from a space in order to maintain the desired temperature in that space
residence time
The average time a given particle will stay in a given system
weathering
The breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface.
neritic zone
The region of shallow ocean water over the continental shelf
deforestation
The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves.
Wallacea
The sea over the Wallace Trench, the zone of transition
common ancestor
The shared ancestor of new, different species that arose from one population
macronutrients
The six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
mineralisation
The conversion of an organic form of an element to an inorganic (*mineral*) form as a result of microbial mediated decomposition processes
salinisation
The deposition of solid salts on the ground surface following the evaporation of water
trophic structure
The different feeding relationships in an ecosystem, which determine the route of energy flow and the pattern of chemical cycling
sympatric
The formation of a new species as a result of a genetic change that produces a reproductive barrier between the changed population (mutants) and the parent population. No geographic barrier is present
allopatric
The formation of new species in populations that are geographically isolated from one another
A necropsy (postmortem analysis) of a marine sea star that died after it was mistakenly placed in fresh water would likely show that it died because ________. a. it was stressed and needed more time to acclimate to the new conditions b. it was so hypertonic to the fresh water that it could not osmoregulate c. its cells dehydrated and lost the ability to metabolise d. its contractile vacuoles ruptured
b
A plant family that is common in the desert floras of southern Africa and also North and Central America, but which is absent from the Australian arid zone flora, is the a. Mimosaceae (e.g. wattles) b. Cactaceae (e.g. cacti) c. Chenopodiaceae (e.g. saltbushes). d. Poaceae (e.g. grasses). e. Cupressaceae (e.g. cypresses)
b
An Australian example of the observed global pattern of a decrease in species richness as latitude increases is a. the distribution of birds up a mountain. b. the number of mangrove species. c. the number of crocodile species. d. the size of birds with increasing altitude. e. the increased proportion of tropical species.
b
An example of an ectothermic organism that has few or no behavioural options when it comes to its ability to adjust its body temperature is a ________. a. hummingbird flying through a prairie b. sea star living deep in the ocean c. honeybee in a hive on a rural farm d. bass living in a farm pond
b
Australia's native fauna largely consists of which two components? a. South-east Asian and Laurasian b. South-east Asian and Gondwanan c. Gondwanan and Mesozoic d. Gondwanan and Laurasian
b
Compared to the seawater around them, most marine invertebrates are ________. a. hyperosmotic b. isoosmotic c. hypoosmotic d. hyperosmotic and isoosmotic
b
Diprotodont mammals are a monophyletic clade that has a number of features. Which one of the following options is correct about the diprotodonts? a. They include the marsupial wolf and Tasmanian devil b. They have one pair of lower incisor teeth and molars for crushing and grinding food c. They have two pairs of lower incisor teeth and no molars d. They are carnivores, and possess sharp teeth used for killing prey
b
Epiphytes are ________. a. aerial vines common in tropical regions b. plants that grow on other plants but do not obtain nutrients from their hosts c. plants that have a symbiotic relationship with fungi d. plants that live in poor soil and digest insects to obtain nitrogen
b
In broad terms, 'Wallace's Line' separates areas a. with shallow seas from those with deep ocean trenches. b. that are dominated by Laurasian species from other areas dominated by Gondwanan species. c. that were part of Gondwana from areas that were part of Pangeae. d. that were colonised by the English from areas that were colonised by the French. e. that are species rich from other areas that are species poor.
b
In the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) an embyo's development can be arrested at the blastocyst stage (embryonic diapause). Which of the following could occur before the embryo resumes development? I) death of the pouch young II) pouch young completes its development and leaves then re-enters the pouch III) pouch young completes its development and leaves the pouch permanently a. I and II b. I and III c. II and III d. none of the above
b
Plant genera such as Nothofagus, that are restricted to southern hemisphere continents, are said to have _____________ distributions. a. limited b. Gondwanan c. austral d. ancestral e. remnant
b
positive directional selection (Darwinian)
beneficial alleles are encouraged and increase over time
landscape ecology
focuses on the factors controlling exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems
static
can only be in one place, so limited number of resources
wet schlerophyll forests
canopy trees >30m with an understory of soft-leaved species
dry schlerophyll forests
canopy trees, 10-20m, with an understory of hard-leaved species
Third mass extinction (248 Mya)
causes are uncertain; 96% of all species went extinct.
founder effect
change in allele frequencies as a result of the migration of a small subgroup of a population
plasticity
change in behaviour, development, physiology
The body fluids of an osmoconformer would be ________ with its ________ environment a. hyperosmotic; saltwater b. hypoosmotic; saltwater c. isoosmotic; freshwater d. isoosmotic; saltwater
d
photoinhibition
damage to the light-gathering process in photosynthesis; occurs when a chloroplast has absorbed too much light energy
Did humans evolve from chimps?
no, they are sister groups
desertification
degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid dry areas caused by climatic changes and human activities
who dominates the earth?
depends on theory either invertebrates or prokaryotes
Shannon's Diversity Index
developed to summarize relative abundance and species richness
Heteroblasty
different juvenile and adult leaves
point sources
discharge pollutants at specific locations through drain pipes, ditches, or sewer lines into bodies of surface water
poikilohydric
property of plants that allow them to rapidly lose water and become dormant, and rapidly take up water and resume metabolism
albido
proportion of light or radiation reflected by a surface
labile
readily undergoing change/breakdown
trophic cascade
relationship b/w populations of predators & resources consumed by predators' prey
homeostasis
relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions that organisms maintain
obligate aerobes
require O2 for cellular respiration
sedimentation
the process in which soil particles and decaying organic matter accumulate in layers on the ground or at the bottom of large bodies of water, contributing to the formation of sedimentary rock
embryonic diapause
the embryo (blastocyst) does not immediately implant in the uterus, but is maintained in a state of dormancy
primary producers
the first producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms
net primary production
the gross primary production of an ecosystem minus the energy used by the producers for respiration.
biophilia hypothesis
the inherited predisposition to be drawn to or bond with nature, including other animals
C3 plants
the most common and the most efficient at photosynthesis in cool, wet climates (A plant that uses the Calvin cycle for the initial steps that incorporate CO2 into organic material, forming a three-carbon compound as the first stable intermediate)
dispersal
the movement of organisms from one place to another
species richness
the number of different species in a community
recalcitrant
does not readily undergo change or breakdown
acclimation
the process of an organism's adjustment to an abiotic factor
fluxes
the rate at which elements move from one pool to another
lithosphere
the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle
isotonic
when the concentration of two solutions is the same
temperate grasslands
dominated by grasses, trees and large shrubs are absent. Temperatures vary more from summer to winter, and the amount of rainfall is less than in savannas. Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters
How does continental drift affect living organisms? a. It causes climate change, which puts selective pressure on organisms. b. It causes changes in habitats, such as when large amounts of shallow marine habitat were lost in the formation of Pangaea. c. It may cause an increase or decrease in competition among different species. d. It happens so slowly that it does not affect living organisms. e. All but one of these are correct.
e
Nothofagus is a relatively ancient genus of angiosperms that has a current distribution in all of the following places EXCEPT: a. New Zealand. b. mainland Australia. c. New Caledonia. d. New Guinea. e. Africa.
e
Scientific investigations of the Woolemi pine indicate thatPart complete a. some trees are more than 10,000 years old. b. it is likely to become extinct in the next 100 years. c. there is considerable genetic diversity among individuals in these small populations. d. the species is much more widely distributed than previously thought. e. some trees are between 500-1000 years old.
e
heterozygote advantage
Greater reproductive success of heterozygous individuals compared to homozygotes; tends to preserve variation in gene pools
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Group of 209 different toxic, oily, synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds that can be biologically amplified in food chains and webs
Forest Stewardship Council
Group of environmentalists and lumber companies dedicated to protecting forests.
gene flow
Movement of alleles into or out of a population due to the migration of individuals to or from the population
diffusion
Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
soil erosion
Movement of soil components, especially topsoil, from one place to another, usually by wind, flowing water, or both. This natural process can be greatly accelerated by human activities that remove vegetation from soil.
coevolution
Process by which two species evolve in response to changes in each other
cellular respiration
process that releases energy from food in the presence of oxygen
Haber-Bosch process
production of fertilizers by combining nitrogen and hydrogen to synthesize ammonia
recharge zone
an area in which water travels downward to become part of an aquifer
zoned reserve
an extensive region that includes areas relatively undisturbed by humans surrounded by areas that have been changed by human activity and are used for economic gain
sulfur reducing bacteria
anaerobes that use sulfate to degrade substrate
shriveled
animal cell in hypertonic solution
lysed
animal cell in hypotonic solution
euryhaline
animals that can survive large fluctuations in external osmolarity e.g. salt water and freshwater
stenohaline
animals that cannot tolerate substantial changes in external osmolarity e.g. salt water or freshwater
primary consumers
animals that feed on producers; ex. herbivores
constraint
any physical or biological process that limits the phenotype possible for evolution e.g. organism height
resurrection plants
any poikilohydric plant that can survive extreme dehydration, even over months or years
Dasyurids
appx 70 species, smaller are insectivores larger are carnivores e.g. antechinus, quolls, Tassie devil
Rhizobium bacteria
are soil bacteria that fix nitrogen (diazotrophs) after becoming established inside root nodules of legumes (Fabaceae).
chaparral biome
areas that have hot and dry summers, mild winters. located on most continents with flat plains, rocky hills and mountain slopes, evergreen shrubs subject to frequent fires
in a forest exosystem, how do must nutrients enter?
as dust or solutes in rain (then carried away in water)
kyoto protocol
controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries
uptake of nitrogen
conversion of mineralised nitrogen into organic nitrogen by plants
marine biome
covers 70% of earth's surface; largest biome; temperatures vary from region to region; algae and plankton form the base of the food chain; salt concentration of 3%
A human who has no access to fresh water but is forced to drink seawater instead will ________. a. thrive under such conditions, as long as he has lived at the ocean most of his life b. develop structural changes in the kidneys to accommodate the salt overload c. risk becoming overhydrated within twelve hours d. excrete more water molecules than taken in, because of the high load of ion ingestion
d
A woman standing and watching the stars on a cool, calm night will lose most of her body heat by ________. a. evaporation b. convection c. conduction d. radiation
d
How much chemical energy fixed by photosynthesis reaches a tertiary consumer a. 20% b. 10% c. 50% d. 0.1%
d
Many plants flower in response to day-length cues. Which of the following statements best summarises this phenomenon? a. Long-day plants flower in response to long days, not short nights. b. As a rule, short-day plants flower in the summer. c. As a rule, long-day plants flower in the spring or autumn. d. Flowering in short-day and long-day plants is controlled by phytochrome.
d
Mountain systems are formed when tectonic plates _______ a. rise up due to bulging of the earth's inner and outer cores b. slide past one another c. move apart from one another d. collide into one another
d
One of the most extensive vegetation communities in Australia is a. heathlands of south-west Australia. b. Acacia shrublands of western Victoria. c. rainforests of central, coastal New South Wales. d. spinifex (Triodia) grasslands of central Australia.
d
Select the pair of terms that will correctly complete the following sentence. Gymnosperms first appear in the fossil record during the ____________, and reached their peak, in terms of distribution, diversity and abundance, during the _____________. a. Carboniferous; Holocene b. Cretaceous; Jurassic c. Pliocene; Pleistocene d. Devonian; Mesozoic e. Silurian; Jurassic
d
global richness
= number of individuals to the power of Z
mesotrophic lake
Lake with a moderate supply of plant nutrients
non-point sources
Large or dispersed land areas such as crop fields, streets, and lawns that discharge pollutants into the environment over a large area.
Laurasia
Late Paleozoic, Northern Hemisphere continent composed of the present-day continents of North America, Greenland, Europe, and Asia
thermoregulation
Process of maintaining an internal temperature within a tolerable range.
what is the degree of endemism in Australian flora? a. 85% b. 65% c. 50% d. 10%
a
when did the angiosperms (flowers) first evolve? a. 88 million years ago b. 400 million years ago c. 500 million years ago d. 360 million years ago
a
where is the highest species diversity? a. tropical rainforests b. temperate forests c. desert d. open ocean
a
which is not a heavy metal? a. iron b. mercury c. lead d. nickel
a
which is not an inorganic toxin in pollutants? a. carbon dioxide b. heavy metals c. non-metallic salts d. acids
a
evolution
a change in allele frequencies within a population, across generations
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
which of the following does not contribute to the high levels of endemism a. long isolation b. extreme sun exposure c. wide variety of climates d. unique soils
b
polyphletic
looking at members of the same clade but does not include the common ancestor
transpiration
loss of water from a plant through its leaves
ectotherms
low metabolic rate, gain most of heat from environment e.g. reptiles, fish, insects
hypoosmotic
lower solute concentration
ultramafic soil
magnesium rich, calcium, potassium and phosphorus poor soil that develops on the regolith derived from ultramafic rocks
tropical forest action plan
major international attempt to tackle deforestation
why are plants so diverse?
many solutions to the same problem
what would be the major autotrophic input for small sea islands?
marine algae
Steller's Sea Cow
marine mammal discovered 1741, extinct from overharvest 1768
First mass extinction (443 Mya)
most species lived in the oceans; an ice age caused sea levels to drop and ocean chemistry to change.
trophic efficiency
% of production transferred from one trophic level to the next
polyprodont
'many teeth', have many lower incisors
diprodont
'two teeth', two lower incisors pointing forward
perennial
(adj.) lasting for a long time, persistent; (n.) a plant that lives for many years
placental attributes over marsupial
- long gestation and short lactation - low metabolic scope - high basal metabolism - more highly-developed behaviour patterns
marsupial attributes over placental
- shorter gestation + longer lactation - high metabolic scope - low basal metabolism - poorly developed behaviour pattern
dragon lizard (agamid)
50 species, arid-adapted predators, long and powerful limbs
copenhagen accord
A 2009 agreement between the United States, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa to cut emissions (though not to legally binding amounts). The agreement also promises aid to developing countries to support green development.
ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
bottleneck effect
A change in allele frequency following a dramatic reduction in the size of a population
genetic drift
A change in the allele frequency of a population as a result of chance events rather than natural selection
decomposition
A chemical reaction that breaks down compounds into simpler products
symbiosis
A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species.
Coniferous Forest (Taiga)
A cold forest biome; evergreens flourish but too cold for diverse plant-life
food web
A community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains
extinction vortex
A downward population spiral in which inbreeding and genetic drift combine to cause a small population to shrink and, unless the spiral is reversed, become extinct.
dioxins
A family of toxic chemical compounds formed when polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are heated or burned. Dioxins are also formed as by-products in the process of chlorinating phenols, which are used in producing herbicides
continental shelf
A gently sloping, shallow area of the ocean floor that extends outward from the edge of a continent
biome
A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms
population
A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
clade
A group of species that includes an ancestral species and all its descendants.
estuary
A habitat in which the fresh water of a river meets the salt water of the ocean.
eutrophic lake
A lake that has a high rate of biological productivity supported by a high rate of nutrient cycling, especially nitrogen and phosporous
drought
A long period of low precipitation
biomass
A measure of the total dry mass of organisms within a particular region
atmosphere
A mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon
oligotrophic lake
A nutrient-poor, clear, deep lake with minimum phytoplankton
xerophyte
A plant adapted to an arid climate.
abscisic acid
A plant hormone that brings about dormancy in buds, mantains dormancy in seeds, and brings about stomatal closing, among other effects.
eutrophication
A process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, become highly concentrated in a body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria, resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen
natural selection
A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits
sexual reproduction
A reproductive process that involves two parents that combine their genetic material to produce a new organism, which differs from both parents
fibrous root system
A root system common to monocots consisting of a mat of thin roots spreading out below the soil surface.
movement corridor
A series of small clumps or a narrow strip of quality habitat (usable by organisms) that connects otherwise isolated patches of quality habitat
food chain
A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
amniotic egg
A shelled, water-retaining egg that enables reptiles, birds, and egg-laying mammals to complete their life cycles on dry land
Dieback
A sudden population decline; also called a population crash.
rainforest
A tropical forest, usually of tall, densely growing, broad-leaved evergreen trees in an area of high annual rainfall
pollution
Addition of more waste than a resource can accommodate
Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC)
Aims to provide comprehensive scientific assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity
community
All the different populations that live together in an area
hydrosphere
All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans
dehydration
An abnormally low amount of water in the body.
crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)
An adaptation for photosynthesis in arid conditions, first discovered in the family Crassulaceae. In this process, a plant takes up CO2 and incorporates it into a variety of organic acids at night; during the day, CO2 is released from organic acids for use in the Calvin cycle.
biomanipulation
An approach that applies the top-down model of community organization to alter ecosystem characteristics. For example, ecologists can prevent algal blooms and eutrophication by altering the density of higher-level consumers in lakes instead of by using chemical treatments.
shared derived character
An evolutionary novelty that is unique to a particular clade
adaptive radiation
An evolutionary pattern in which many species evolve from a single ancestral species
desert biome
An extremely dry area with little water and few plants
herbivory
An interaction in which an herbivore eats parts of a plant or alga
parasites
An organism that lives in or on another organism, deriving nourishment at the expense of its host, usually without killing it
chemoheterotrophs
An organism that must consume organic molecules for both energy and carbon.
photoheterotrophs
An organism that uses light to generate ATP but that must obtain carbon in organic form.
sulfate reduction
Anaerobic respiration SO4 --> H2S (sulfide)
variation
Any difference between individuals of the same species
restoration ecology
Applies ecological principles in an effort to return degraded ecosystems to conditions as similar as possible to their natural state
freshwater biome
Aquatic biomes that include lakes, streams, rivers and ponds. Salt concentration of less than 1%.
Why are big, fierce animals rare?
Available energy is greatly reduced from one trophic level to the next and they're tertiary consumers
nitrifying bacteria
Bacteria that change dissolved ammonia into nitrite compounds or nitrites into nitrate compounds.
denitrifying bacteria
Bacteria that convert the nitrates in soil or water to gaseous nitrogen and release it back into the atmosphere.
artificial selection
Breeding organisms with specific traits in order to produce offspring with identical traits
epicormic bud
Bud that lies under the bark of stem or root of a plant, that are able to sprout and grow after damage to the plant, eg. outer fire.
furans
By-product of processes that release dioxins; also present in commercial mixtures of PCBs, a group of toxic and carcinogenic compounds with cyclical, benzene-like structures
facultative anaerobes
Can make enough ATP to survive using using fermentation or respiration (i.e. can live with or without oxygen)
fossil record
Chronological collection of life's remains in sedimentary rock layers
biosphere
Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere.
photosynthesis
Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.
detritus
Dead organic matter
eutrophic
Describes a lake with a high level of productivity
sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
geographic variation
Differences between the gene pools of geographically separate populations or population subgroups
osmosis
Diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane
Mycorrhizae
Ecological relationship between the mycelium of a fungus and the roots of certain plants
ENSO
El Nino Southern Oscillation, trade winds weaken & warm surface water moves toward South America. Diminished fisheries off South America, drought in western Pacific, including Aus, increased precipitation in southwestern North America, fewer Atlantic hurricanes.
Aeolian processes
Erosion, transport and deposition by the wind. The term is derived from the name of the Greek god Aeolus, the keeper of the winds.
second law of thermodynamics
Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe.
phylogeny
Evolutionary history of a species or group of species.
tropical rainforest biome
Forests in which rainfall is abundant - more that 200 cm (80 in) per year - and temperatures are warm or hot year-round
polar ice biome
Found in the Antarctic and Arctic with cold, dry, windy habitat. Phytoplankton = primary producers that are present
megabats
Fruit-eating bats that generally have large eyes and good eyesight.
megafauna
General term for the large game animals hunted by pre-Holocene and early Holocene humans
sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
Gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy by oxidizing elemental sulfur and reduced sulfur compounds, generating sulfuric acid
sister taxa
Groups of organisms that share an immediate common ancestor and hence are each other's closest relatives.
gene families
Groups of related genes in an organism's genome.
sinks
Habitats that serve to trap or otherwise remove chemicals such as plant nutrients, organic pollutants, or metal ions through natural processes.
hypertonic
Having a higher concentration of solute than another solution.
hypotonic
Having a lower concentration of solute than another solution
limnetic zone
In a lake, the well-lit, open surface waters farther from shore
IUCN
International Union for the Conservation of Nature; a coalition of the world's leading conservation groups
montreal agreement
International treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion
bottom-up control
Limitation of the abundance of a population by nutrient supply or by the availability of food.
physiological regulation
Lungs and kidneys work continuously to help regulate acid base balance in body. Processes are reversible. Biochemical reactions occur as body needs change.
sustained yield forestry
Management of a forest to produce in perpetuity a high-level annual or regular periodic output, through a balance between increment and cutting. (Society of American Foresters)
molecular clock
Model that uses DNA comparisons to estimate the length of time that two species have been evolving independently
Endomycorrhizae fungi
Mycorrhizae that grow inside the root of the plant. (A type of mycorrhiza that, unlike ectomycorrhizae, does not have a dense mantle ensheathing the root. Instead, microscopic fungal hyphae extend from the root into the soil.)
directional selection
Natural selection in which individuals at one end of the phenotypic range survive or reproduce more successfully than do other individuals
balancing selection
Natural selection that maintains stable frequencies of two or more phenotypic forms in a population
Third Law of Thermodynamics
No system can reach absolute zero
abiotic
Non-living
ozone
O3, absorbs most ultraviolet light
local extinction
Occurs when a population is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but is still found elsewhere in the world
national parks
One form of reserve that is intended to protect natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for scientific, educational and recreational use
vasodilation and vasoconstriction
Opening and closing of blood vessels to regulate body temperature
relictual
Organism once widespread but now restricted or Populations/species which continue to survive after extinction events
decomposers
Organisms that break down the dead remains of other organisms
autotrophs
Organisms that make their own food
chemoautotrophs
Organisms that use hydrogen sulfide or other chemicals as energy source instead of light.
photoautotrophs
Organisms that use light as a source of energy to synthesize organic substances e.g. photosynthetic bacteria
climate
Overall weather in an area over a long period of time
monophletic
Pertaining to a group of taxa that consists of a common ancestor and all of its descendants. A monophyletic taxon is equivalent to a clade.
paraphyletic
Pertaining to a group of taxa that consists of a common ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.
cyanobacteria
Photosynthetic, oxygen-producing bacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae)
carnivorous plants
Plants that get some or most of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals.
photic zone
Portion of the marine biome that is shallow enough for sunlight to penetrate
intertidal zone
Portion of the shoreline that lies between the high and low tide lines
photorespiration
Reaction in which rubisco attaches oxygen instead of carbon dioxide to ribulose bisphosphate
postpartum estrus
Rebreed 24 hours after giving birth
biodiversity hotspots
Relatively small areas of land that contain an exceptional number of endemic species and are at high risk from human activities (1.5% of Earth, 33% of species)
anaerobic respiration (fermentation)
Respiration that does not require oxygen
ecology
Scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment
Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning
Some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water. People get sick with neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) when they et these shellfish. Brevetoxin cannot be smelled or tasted. It is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.
cyanogenic glycosides
Store the cyanide molecule. Cyanide gas is released when the plant is damaged
irrigation
Supplying land with water through a network of canals
Gondwana
The large southern land mass that existed from the Cambrian (540 mya) to the Jurassic (138 mya). Present-day remnants are South America, Africa, India, Australia, and Antarctica.
Pangaea
The name of the single landmass that broke apart 200 million years ago and gave rise to today's continents
species diversity
The number and relative abundance of species in a biological community (species richness and evenness of representation)
energy flow
The passage of energy through the components of an ecosystem
abyssal zone
The portion of the ocean floor where light does not penetrate and where temperatures are cold and pressures intense
bergmann's rule
The principle that an animal's size is heat-related; smaller bodies are adapted to hot environments, and larger bodies are adapted to cold environments.
Ammonification
The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium
gross primary production
The total primary production of an ecosystem.
horizontal gene transfer
The transfer of genes from one genome to another through mechanisms such as transposable elements, plasmid exchange, viral activity, and perhaps fusions of different organisms.
bioremediation
Use of living organisms such as prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to detoxify polluted ecosystems.
biological augmentation
Uses organisms to add essential materials to degraded ecosystems.
peripatric
When small groups of individuals break off from the larger group, become geographically isolated, and form a new species. Genetic drift may happen here
regional extinction
When the members of a species are extinct in a localized area, but there are still members of the species alive elsewhere in the world
Lianas
Woody vines that climb up trees in the forest to reach the light
Australia's vegetation can be broadly categorised based on the climate regimes over much of the continent. These vegetation categories include all of the following EXCEPT a. alpine grassland b. temperate forest c. tropical / subtropical evergreen wooded vegetation d. semi-arid grassland and shrubland e. temperate grassland and shrubland
a
Both the platypus and echidna are a. are endemic to the Australian continental plate. b. known from 300 million year old fossils. c. primitive eutherian mammals. d. ancient marsupials that migrated from North America to Australia when these continents were joined to Antarctica.
a
In extremely cold regions, woody species may survive freezing temperatures by ________. a. increasing cytoplasmic levels of specific solute concentrations, such as sugars b. decreasing the numbers of phospholipids in cell membranes c. emptying water from the vacuoles to prevent freezing d. decreasing the fluidity of all cellular membranes
a
Near a goose's abdomen, the countercurrent arrangement of the arterial and venous blood vessels causes the ________. a. temperature difference between the contents of the two sets of vessels to be minimised b. blood in the feet to be as warm as the blood in the abdomen c. venous blood to be as cold near the abdomen as it is near the feet d. loss of the maximum possible amount of heat to the environment
a
Of the following anatomical structures, which is homologous to the bones in the wing of a bird? a. bones in the flipper of a whale b. chitinous struts in the wing of a butterfly c. bones in the hind limb of a kangaroo d. bony rays in the tail fin of a flying fish
a
The specific relationship between a legume and its mutualistic Rhizobium strain probably depends on ________. a. specific recognition between the chemical signals and signal receptors of the Rhizobium strain and legume species b. each legume being found where the soil has only the Rhizobium specific to that legume c. each legume having a chemical dialogue with a fungus d. each Rhizobium strain having a form of nitrogenase that works only in the appropriate legume host
a
To maintain homeostasis freshwater fish must ________. a. excrete large quantities of water b. consume large quantities of water c. excrete large quantities of electrolytes d. take in electrolytes through simple diffusion
a
Which of the following are characteristic of both rhizobia and mycorrhizae? I) They both benefit by receiving sugars from the plant. II) They both become parasitic in nutrient-rich environments. III) They both enhance the growth of most plants. IV) They both are found in most ecosystems of the world. a. only I, III, and IV b. only III and IV c. only I and II d. I, II, III, and IV
a
You discover a new species of bacteria that grows in aquatic environments with high salt levels. While studying these bacteria, you note that their internal environment is similar to the salt concentrations in their surroundings. You also discover that the internal salt concentrations of the bacteria change as the salt concentration in their environment changes. The new species can tolerate small changes in this way, but dies from large changes because it has no mechanism for altering its own internal salt levels. What type of homeostatic mechanism is this species using to regulate its internal salt levels? a. conformation b. integration c. assimilation d. regulation
a
are invertebrates in the sea a. osmoconformers + ionoregulators b. osmoregulators + ionoregulators c. osmoconformers + ionoconformers d. osmoregulators + ionoconformers
a
are sharks in the sea a. osmoconformers + ionoregulators b. osmoregulators + ionoregulators c. osmoconformers + ionoconformers d. osmoregulators + ionoconformers
a
how does grass respond to herbivory? a. outgrow the problem b. hairs c. tannins d. silica
a
what are the four basic functions of plants? a. photosynthesis, hydraulics, reproduction, mechanical supprt b. hydraulics, reproduction, mechanical support, food c. food, reproduction hydraulics, photosynthesis d. mechanical support, food, hydraulics, photosynthesis
a
red tides
a discoloration of seawater caused by a bloom of toxic red dinoflagellates
angiosperm
a flowering plant that produces seeds within a fruit
Winogradsky column
a glass column packed with mud and overlaid with water to mimic an aquatic environment, in which various bacteria develop over a period of months
savanna biome
a grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees.
great auk
a large seabird, extinct
thermocline
a layer in a large body of water, such as a lake, that sharply separates regions differing in temperature, so that the temperature gradient across the layer is abrupt.
placental mammal
a mammal that develops inside its mother's body until its body systems can function independently
epiphyte
a plant that obtains its nutrients from the air and the rain and usually grows on another plant for support
littoral zone
a shallow zone in a freshwater habitat where light reaches the bottom and nurtures plants
global extinction
a species can no longer be found anywhere
keystone species
a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
lignotuber
a swollen underground stem of eucalyptus that can resist fire
gymnosperm
a woody, vascular seed plant whose seeds are not enclosed by an ovary or fruit
hydraulics
absorption, transport, evaporation
serotiny
adaptation of seeds (or cones) covered by a resin that must be melted for the seed or cone to open to release seeds (like after a low burning fire).
united nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC)
all countries should act to reduce GHG on the basis of common but differentiated responsibilities and that developed countries should take the lead
vegetation
all the plants and trees in an area
nitrification
ammonia (NH3) is converted to nitrate ions (NO3)-
basal metabolism
amount of energy required to carry out involuntary activities of the body at rest
Paris Agreement
an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance starting in the year 2020.
Sharks live in seawater. Their tissues are isotonic to seawater, but their concentrations of sodium ions, potassium ions, and chloride ions in cells and extracellular fluids are similar to those of freshwater fishes. How is that possible? a. Metabolic intermediates of sharks tie up intracellular chloride and potassium ions. b. Urea and trimethylamine oxide contribute to intra- and extracellular osmolarity in shark tissues. c. Their blood is hypotonic to their tissues. d. They excrete large quantities of electrolytes.
b
Six plant families comprise more than 40% of the total Australian flora. These plant families include all of the following EXCEPT the a. Myrtaceae (e.g. eucalypts) b. Orchidaceae (e.g. orchids) c. Asteraceae (e.g. daisies). c. Fabaceae (e.g. legumes). Poaceae (e.g. grasses)
b
Sweating allows a person to lose heat through the process of ________. a. convection b. evaporation c. radiation d. conduction
b
Terrestrial organisms lose water through evaporation. In what ecosystem might an entomologist find a good study organism to examine the prevention of water loss? a. open grassland b. desert c. wet rain forest d. chaparral
b
The body's automatic tendency to maintain a constant and optimal internal environment is termed ________. a. physiological chance b. homeostasis c. balanced equilibrium d. static equilibrium
b
The fluid with the highest osmolarity is ________. a. plasma in mammals b. seawater in a tidal pool c. distilled water d. plasma in birds
b
The nutrient poor sandplains north of Perth in Western Australia are noted for: a. containing many species that are yet to be formally described. b. supporting an extremely diverse assemblage of plant species. c. having some of the highest mountain ranges in Australia. d. being almost totally devoid of species. e. being among the most fire-prone environments in Australia.
b
There are three major groups of mammals, categorized on the basis of their _____ a. size b. method of reproduction c. method of locomotion d. habitat e. presence or absence of hair
b
What major benefits do plants and mycorrhizal fungi receive from their symbiotic relationship? a. Plants receive increased root surface area, and fungi receive digestive enzymes. b. Plants receive nitrogen and phosphorus, and fungi receive photosynthetic products. c. Fungi receive photosynthetic products in exchange for living in plant root nodules. d. Plants receive enzymes, and fungi receive nitrogen and phosphorus.
b
What role do chloride cells play in osmoregulation of marine fish with bony skeletons? a. They mediate the movement of salt from seawater through their gills. b. They are involved in excretion of excess salt. c. They actively transport chloride into the gills. d. They actively transport salt across the basolateral membrane of the rectal gland.
b
Which of the following animals generally has the lowest volume of urine production? a. a vampire bat b. a marine bony fish c. a salmon in fresh water d. a shark inhabiting the Mississippi River
b
Which of the following is an example of negative feedback? a. When a baby is nursing, suckling leads to the production of more milk and a subsequent increase in the secretion of prolactin (a hormone that stimulates lactation). b. When the level of glucose in the blood increases, the pancreas produces and releases the hormone insulin. Insulin acts to decrease blood glucose. As blood glucose decreases, the rate of production and release of insulin decreases as blood glucose decreases. c. During birthing contractions, oxytocin (a hormone) is released and acts to stimulate further contractions. d. After a blood vessel is damaged, signals are released by the damaged tissues that activate platelets in the blood. These activated platelets release chemicals that activate more platelets.
b
Which one of the following options is INCORRECT in regard to Australian native bats? a. They are all classified into two suborders. b. They are all of Gondwanan origin. c. They are known from fossils from Eocene deposits. d. They include some species of the cosmopolitan genus Myotis.
b
Why is nitrogen fixation an essential process? a. Nitrogen fixers are sometimes symbiotic with legumes. b. Fixed nitrogen is often the limiting factor in plant growth. c. Nitrogen fixation can only be done by certain prokaryotes. d. Nitrogen fixation is very expensive in terms of metabolic energy.
b
are vertebrates in the sea a. osmoconformers + ionoregulators b. osmoregulators + ionoregulators c. osmoconformers + ionoconformers d. osmoregulators + ionoconformers
b
fish in freshwater a. must actively release salt b. tend to take up water c. produce a concentrated urine d. use trehalose to prevent dehydration
b
most favourable temperature range for metabolic function of plants is between what celcius degrees? a. 50 - 100 b. 10 - 25 c. 15 - 30 d. 4 - 8
b
the best way to keep warm in water is a. with hair b. with fat c. using radiation d. avoiding evaporation
b
what does a plant need to grow and reproduce? a. love, soil, light, air b. air, light, water, nutrients c. food, soil, light, water d. water, nutrients, sugar, love
b
when did the vascular plants (ferns) first evolve? a. 88 million years ago b. 400 million years ago c. 500 million years ago d. 360 million years ago
b
which is not a leaf modification to specifically conserve water? a. waxy/hair surface b. reflective surface c. sunken stomata d. leaf rolling
b
which is not an effect of UV-B on animals? a. DNA damage b. disrupts thylakoids c. oxidative stress d. immunosuppression
b
which is not an immediate cause of deforestation a. spread of agriculture b. loss of soil fertility c. domestice firewood collecting d. unregulated timber harvesting
b
tannins
bind with dietary protein so animals can't get protein
temperate decidous forests
biome charcaterized by changing seasons and leaf fall, very cold winter, hot summers
peripheral circulation
blood supply for the extremities
benthic zone
bottom of an aquatic ecosystem; consists of sand and sediment and supports its own community of organisms
fossorial
burrowing
Australia's fauna is in sharp contrast with those of the rest of the world. When Australia broke free of the other southern continents, ________ a. mammals mated with eutherians resulting in marsupials b. eutherians diversified and marsupials became extinct c. marsupials diversified and eutherians became extinct d. marsupials mated with eutherians resulting in mammals
c
Carnivorous plants have evolved mechanisms that trap and digest small animals. The products of this digestion are used to supplement the plant's supply of ________. a. carbohydrates b. lipids and steroids c. nitrogen and other minerals d. energy
c
Continental drift is the process were _______ a. bulging of the earth's outer core causes crustal movement leading to tectonic plate redistribution b. bulging of the earth's inner core causes crustal movement leading to tectonic plate redistribution c. movements of the earth's mantle cause tectonic plates to move over time d. movements of the earth's tectonic plates cause the earth's mantle to move over time
c
Hagfish (Eptatretus cirrhauts) are a jawless marine vertebrate that are isotonic with their environment and are considered to be osmoconformers. How might this interesting adaptation limit the habitat that the hagfish can tolerate? a. Hagfish are not limited by salinity. b. Osmoconformers do not face the same pressures as osmoregulators and can live in any marine environment. c. Hagfish habitat is limited by the salinity of the environment. d. Individual hagfish will adapt to different salinities over their lifetime and, therefore, can inhabit any marine environment.
c
Hair in mammals is an example of what? a. homology b. anology c. shared derived character d. convergence
c
In a cool environment, an ectotherm is more likely to survive an extended period of food deprivation than would an equally sized endotherm because the ectotherm ________. a. maintains a higher basal metabolic rate b. has greater insulation on its body surface c. invests little energy in temperature regulation d. expends more energy per kilogram of body mass than does the endotherm
c
Members of two different species possess a similar-looking structure that they use in a similar way to perform about the same function. Which of the following would suggest that the relationship more likely represents homology instead of convergent evolution? a. both species are well adapted to their particular environments b. the structures in adult members of both species are similar in size c. The two species share many proteins in common, and the nucleotide sequences that code for these proteins are almost identical. d. the two species live at great distance from each other
c
Of the following genera, which one became extinct only very recently? a. Antechinus b. Megalania c. Thylacinus d. Propleopus
c
Organisms maintain dynamic homeostasis (internal balance) through behavioural and physiological mechanisms. Which of the following statements is an accurate explanation of a negative feedback mechanism used by animals to regulate body temperature? a. Squirrels are able to cool themselves during warmer months by producing more brown fat, which contains abundant mitochondria and a rich blood supply. b. Desert jackrabbits have unusually large ears that serve as solar heat collectors to enable them to maintain their body temperatures. c. A ground squirrel's hypothalamus detects changes in environmental temperatures and responds by activating or suppressing metabolic heat production. d. A goldfish slows its movements when the water temperature is lower.
c
Structures as different as human arms, bat wings, and dolphin flippers contain many of the same bones, which develop from similar embryonic tissues. These structural similarities are an example of ________ a. the evolution of common structure as a result of common function b. the evolution of similar appearance as a result of common function c. homology d. convergent evolution
c
Suppose a plant had a photosynthetic pigment that absorbed far-red wavelengths of light. In which of the following environments could that plant thrive? a. on the surface of a lake b. on mountaintops, closer to the Sun c. on the forest floor, beneath a canopy of taller plants d. on the ocean floor, in very deep waters
c
The panting responses that are observed in overheated birds and mammals dissipate excess heat by _______ a. countercurrent exchange b. vasoconstriction c. evaporation d. acclimation
c
The term monotreme literally means ________. a. closed digestive tract b. ancient mammalian ancestor c. single opening d. able to lactate
c
There are advantages and disadvantages to adaptations. Animals that are endothermic are likely to be at the greatest disadvantage in ________. a. very cold environments b. very hot environments c. environments with variable and limited food sources d. environments with a constant food source
c
What group of mammals have (a) embryos that spend more time feeding through the placenta than the mother's nipples, (b) young that feed on milk, and (c) a prolonged period of maternal care after leaving the placenta? a. Marsupiala b. Eutheria c. Monotremata
c
Which of the following would increase the rate of heat exchange between an animal and its environment? a. vasoconstriction b. blubber or fat layer c. wind blowing across the body surface d. feathers or fur
c
Which one of the following is a response in plants to a water deficit? a. guttation b. inhibiting the abscission of older leaves c. reduction in the rate of transpiration d. increasing the synthesis and release of auxin e. inhibiting root growth
c
what did not contribute to shaping Australia's environment? a. ancient continent b. isolation c. earthquakes d. ocean currents
c
what is the upper limit of tree height? a. 50m b. 200m c. 130m d. 180m
c
when did the byrophytes (mosses) first evolve? a. 88 million years ago b. 400 million years ago c. 500 million years ago d. 360 million years ago
c
which is a solar source of energy a. deep sea thermal vents b. lithotrophic bacteria deriving energy directly from rocks c. photosynthesis d. tertiary consumer
c
which is not a chemical defence against herbivory? a. alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides b. tannins, phenolics, lignins c. trichomes d. silica, terpenes
c
which is not a method to work out trophic levels? a. direct observation b. dietary studies c. molecular examination d. stable isotope screening
c
which of the following contains the 6 families that make up more than 40% of Australian flora? a. myrtaceae, orchidaceae, fabaceae, poaceae, asteraceae, protaceae b. poaceace, orchidaceae, asteraceae, mimosaceace, protaceae, fabaceae c. mimosaceae, myrtaceae, proteaceae, poaceae, asteraceae, fabaceae d. asteraceae, protaceae, orchidaceae, mimosaceae, poaceae, fabaceae
c
which of the following is a source of carbon dioxide? a. ruminant animals b. rice paddies c. fossil fuel burning/deforestation d. biomass burning
c
Photo-oxidation
chlorophyll is damaged by too much light
mangroves
coastal ecosystems inhabited by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs
ionoconformers
concentrations of all ions are the same inside and out
ionoregulators
concentrations of at least some ions inside different from outside
endemic
confined to a particular country or area
Understanding the evolution of terrestrial plants is of great interest to scientists. The greatest concentration of current (still present) primitive angiosperms is located in a. the rainforests of the Amazon. b. rainforests of New Guinea. c. the rainforests of central Africa. d. Australia's tropical rainforests. e. the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania.
d
Which factor most likely caused animals and plants in India to differ greatly from species in nearby southeast Asia? a. India is in the process of separating from the rest of Asia. b. Life in India was wiped out by ancient volcanic eruptions. c. The climates of the two regions are similar. d. India was a separate continent until forty-five million years ago.
d
Which principle of heat exchange is the most important explanation for why birds look larger in colder weather because they fluff their feathers? a. Fluffing feathers results in less cooling by radiation because feathers emit less infrared radiation than other tissues do. b. Fluffing decreases the surface-area-to-volume ratio, thus decreasing the amount of heat lost to the environment. c. Fluffing decreases the amount of heat lost by conduction when the bird makes contact with cold objects in its environment. d. Fluffing creates a pocket of air near the bird that acts as insulation.
d
You are studying a large tropical reptile that has a high and relatively stable body temperature. How would you determine whether this animal is an endotherm or an ectotherm? a. You know that it is an ectotherm because it is not a bird or mammal. b. You note that its environment has a high and stable temperature. Because its body temperature matches the environmental temperature, you conclude that it is an ectotherm. c. You know from its high and stable body temperature that it must be an endotherm. d. You subject this reptile to various temperatures in the lab and find that its body temperature and metabolic rate change with the ambient temperature. You conclude that it is an ectotherm.
d
a mechanism not used by frogs to survive in the desert is a. make protective cocoon b. shelter under rocks c. build burrow d. live in colonies
d
homeostasis... a. means nothing ever changes b. only works in zones of compensation c. works at all levels of gradient d. requires a receptor and effector
d
when did the gymnosperms (confiers, pine cones) first evolve? a. 88 million years ago b. 400 million years ago c. 500 million years ago d. 360 million years ago
d
which is not a major source of Australian fauna? a. gondwanan lineages b. immigrants ( after 50ma) c. recent immigrants (after 5ma) d. swimmers
d
which is not a physical defence against herbivory? a. spines and hairs b. trichomes c. tiny seeds with protective coatings to survive digestive trace d. tannins
d
which is not a reason explaining why tropical rainforests have high diversity? a. high rate of diversification b. never experience glaciation c. allopatric speciation d. they're green
d
which is not a specific adaption to minimise high-light stress? a. reflective/hairy leaf surface b. leaf shape c. leaf angle d. leaf number
d
which is not an animal response to environment changes? a. avoidance b. conformity/tolerance c. regulation d. death
d
which of the following is a source of nitrous oxide? a. ruminant animals b. rice paddies c. fossil fuel burning/deforestation d. microbial breakdown of fertiliser in soils and oceans
d
which of the following is not a possible alternative to an unsuitable environment? a. migration b. plasticity c. adaption d. timetravel
d
which of the following is not a source of methane? a. ruminant animals b. rice paddies c. landfill d. biomass burning
d
The Australian continent was largely isolated from other landmasses for much of the Tertiary. It was not until the middle Miocene that plants species interchange began to occur between south east Asia and Australia. As a consequence of this, there is a _____________________________ species in the Australian tropical zone compared to the Australian temperate zone. a. higher proportion of endemic b. high proportion of Myrtaceae c. lower proportion of northern hemisphere d. lower proportion of endemic e. greater proportion of southern hemisphere
e
browser
eat leaves on trees
secondary consumers
eat primary consumers
wetland
ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface for at least part of the year
purifying directional selection (negative)
elimantes detrimental phenotypes (and alleles) from population
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae
endomycorrhizae that penetrate cortex cells with arbuscular structures, hyphal net around protoplast of cell that increases the protoplast volume and size, have vesicles of spores, VAM
how is ecosystem productivity measured?
energy capture + accumulation of matter over time
hemi-epiphytes
establish in the crown of other trees
microevolution
evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period.
dodo
extinct heavy flightless bird of Mauritius related to pigeons
disruptive selection
favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range
detritivores
feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter
moas
giant birds that became extinct in New Zealand just a few hundred years ago
sthenurine kangaroo
giant prehistoric short-faced kangaroo
Diprotodon
gigantic prehistoric marsupial with two incisors in lower jaw
maximum likelihood
given certain rules about how DNA changes over time, a tree can be found that reflects the most likely and simplest sequence of evolutionary events
discharge zone
groundwater flows to surface
microbats
group of bats that are medium and/or smaller in size, have small eyes, larger ears, and eat insects and use echolocation
taxon
group or level of organization into which organisms are classified
HIPPO stands for
habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, population, overharvesting
xeromorphy
having the appearance of a xerophyte
heat-shock proteins
help protect other proteins from heat stress
Phalangeriformes
herbivores, nectar + gum feeders, appx 70 species e.g. possums, cuscuses, gliders
adaption
heritable characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in an environment
endotherms
high metabolic rate, can generate heat to regulate body e.g. birds, mammals
post-orbital fenestra
holes in the skull behind the eye
orthologous genes
homologous genes that are found in different species because of speciation
Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning
human syndrome caused by consumption of shellfish that concentrate the toxic chemicals produced by blooms of certain species of dinoflagellate
Fourth mass extinction (200 Mya)
hypotheses for this extinction include volcanic activity, asteroid collisions, and climate change
biological magnification
increasing concentration of a harmful substance in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web
IGBP
international geosphere-biosphere program
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
international treaty to protect endangered species
Vombatiformes
koala _ 1 species, aboreal, browser + wombat - 3 species, fossorial, grazer
varanid
large lizards, 25 species, predators and scavengers e.g. goannas
commonwealth endangered species protection act
legislation to protect endangered and vulnerable species
half-life
length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
biotic
living things
Macropodiformes
most diverse group, omnivores, browsers, grazers, appx 70 species e.g. kangaroos, wallabies, rock-wallabies, rat-kangaroos
Second mass extinction (359 Mya)
much of the ocean lacked oxygen; reasons for this phenomenon are unclear
Ectomycorrhizae fungi
mycorrhizae in which the fungal hyphae do not penetrate the root cells of the plant (A type of mycorrhizae in which the mycelium forms a dense sheath, or mantle, over the surface of the root. Hyphae extend from the mantle into the soil, greatly increasing the surface area for water and mineral absorption.)
vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels to keep heat
autochthonous
native
micronutrients
needed in small amounts; vitamins and minerals
parapatric
of two species or populations, having contiguous but non-overlapping geographic distributions
Permelemorphia
omnivores, appx 20 species e.g. bandicoots, bilbies
Relictual species
one that has survived in a given place while disappearing elsewhere
pelagic zone
open water above the ocean floor
salt gland
organ in marine birds and reptiles that removed excess salt
heterotrophs
organisms that cannot make their own food
conformers
organisms that do not regulate their internal conditions
saprobes
organisms that obtain food from decaying organic matter
regulators
organisms that regulate their internal conditions
reaction norm
pattern of phenotypes an individual may develop upon exposure to different environments (the environmental sensitivity of a genotype/gene)
aphotic zone
permanently dark layer of the oceans below the photic zone
permafrost
permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground
turgid
plant cell in hypotonic solution (ideal)
flaccid
plant cell in isotonic or hypertonic solution
biota
plants (flora) and animals (fauna) living in a region
sclerophyll
plants found in low rainfall areas; their leathery leaves help reduce water loss
epiphytes
plants such as mosses, lichens, and orchids, that grow on other plants but do not take nutrients from them
C4 plants
plants that have adapted their photosynthetic process to more efficiently handle hot and dry conditions (A plant that prefaces the Calvin cycle with reactions that incorporate CO2 into four-carbon compounds, the end product of which supplies CO2 for the Calvin cycle.)
thermal regulation
plays a critical role in the balance between heat loss and heat gain. 80% of heat loss occurs through the skin. 20% is lost through the mucosa of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems.
obligate anaerobes
poisoned by oxygen
marsupial
pouched mammal (like a kangaroo)
Acid Precipitation (Acid Rain)
precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid from reactions between water vapor and sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere
thylacoleo
prehistoric marsupial lion
taproot system
root system made up of one large root and many small, thin roots
halophytes
salt tolerant plants
sixth mass extinction
scientists have predicted/identified a new mass extinction is underway and an estimated 2-25 percent of species will go extinct; it is caused by humans
gene
sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait
Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD)
sex is determined by temperature during incubation
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
shellfish eat dinoflagellates and accumulate saxitoxin, people will get sick when they eat the shellfish
homology
similarity resulting from common ancestry
convergence (analogy)
similarity resulting from similar environmental niches
skinks
small insectivores, larger omnivores, 200 species, adapt at overwater dispersal, many fossorial
hyperosmotic
solution with a greater concentration of solute
diversification rate
speciation rate - extinction rate
critical habitat
specific geographic areas with physical and biological features essential to the conservation of a listed species
reproduction
spore release, pollen capture, seed and fruit release
mechanical support
static loads, dynamic loads
resprouting
stimulation of bed development after fire (e.g. epicomic buds and lignotubers)
organismal ecology
studies how an organism's structure, physiology, and (for animals) behavior meet environmental challenges
biogeography
study of the distribution of organisms around the world
selection
survival of the fittest
lethal limit
temperature beyond which permanent injury occurs
activity limit
temperature beyond which the metabolic activities are reduced to a minimum
tonicity
the ability of a surrounding solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water
resiliance
the ability of an ecosystem to recover quickly following disturbances
resistance
the ability of an ecosystem to remain essentially unchanged during disturbance
phenotypic plasticity
the ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment (dependent on genotype)
nitrogen fixation
the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil bacteria and its release for plant use on the death of the bacteria or by lightning
ecosystem-based management
the attempt to supervise the harvesting of resources in ways that minimize impact on the environment and the ecological process that provide the resources
Wallace's Line
the biogeographical boundary between Laurasian and Gondwanan flora and fauna
macroevolution
the broad pattern of evolution above the species level
biogeochemistry
the cycling of chemical elements between biotic and abiotic environments
phytogeography
the study of the distribution of plants and their ecosystems, both spatially and temporally
first law of thermodynamics (law of conservation of energy)
the total energy of an isolated system is constant, although within that system, energy may change its form
biodiversity
the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
walker circulation
the winds which travel west across the Pacific, rise in the west (eastern coast of Australia), travel east again, and sink in the east (Western coast of the Americas)
sustainable biosphere intiative
to define and acquire the basic ecological information necessary for the intelligent and responsible development, management and conservation of Earth's resources
osmolarity
total concentration of all solute particles in a solution
flux towers
towers measuring the global movement of elements
oceanic zone
vast open ocean from the edge of the continental shelf outward
tundra biome
very short cold summers and very long and extremely cold winters with strong winds and little precipitation. contains permafrost
Fifth mass extinction (65 Mya)
volcanic eruptions generated cold weather, followed by an asteroid impact in the Yucatan Peninsula
counter-current heat exchange
warm and cold blood flow in opposite directions in two adjacent blood vessels
groundwater
water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers
water deficit
when demand for water is greater than supply
Pools (reservoirs)
where nutrients reside for varying amounts of time (the residence time)
trade-off
where there is a compromise between costs and benefits, given the availability of resources e.g. offspring size and number
vasodilation
widening of blood vessels to release heat
profundal zone
zone in a freshwater habitat that is below the limits of effective light penetration
