AP Biology Unit 8 Review: Ecology

Overview

• AP Biology Unit 8 covers challenging concepts involving ecology.
• The unit includes mathematical models and a significant amount of vocabulary.
• Topics range from animal behavior to ecosystem disruption.
• The lecture aims to prepare students for the AP Bio exam or a Unit 8 test.

Key Topics Covered

Responses to the Environment

• Animal Behavior and Communication

  • Case studies: Predator warnings in belding's ground squirrels.
  • Altruism and kin selection in animals.

• Kin Selection and Inclusive Fitness

  • Explanation of altruistic behaviors in terms of genetic survival.
  • Study on Predator warnings and kin selection in belding’s ground squirrels.

• Usociality

  • Social structure where some breed while others do not (e.g., bees, ants).
  • Haplodiploidy: sex determination system related to eusocial behavior.

Metabolism and Energy Use

• Metabolic Rate

  • Basal metabolic rate: energy use at rest.
  • Comparison of ectotherms and endotherms.
  • Relationship between temperature and metabolic rate.

• Energy Flow in Ecosystems

  • Food chains and webs.
  • Trophic levels and energy pyramids.
  • 10% rule: energy transfer efficiency.

Population Growth

• Exponential Growth

  • Occurs when resources are ideal.
  • Biotic potential and carrying capacity.

• Logistic Growth

  • Introduces carrying capacity and limiting factors.
  • Density-dependent and independent factors.

Community Ecology

• Symbiosis

  • Types: competition, mutualism, predation, herbivory, parasitism.

• Competition and Co-evolution

  • Niche and resource partitioning.
  • Competitive exclusion principle.

• Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades

  • Importance of keystone species in maintaining biodiversity.
  • Examples: Sea stars, wolves in Yellowstone.

• Succession

  • Primary vs. secondary succession.
  • Stages of ecological succession.

Biodiversity

• Components of Biodiversity

  • Ecosystem, species, and genetic diversity.
  • Benefits: resilience, intrinsic value, potential resources.

• Simpson Diversity Index

  • Method for quantifying biodiversity.

Ecosystem Disruption

• Human Impact
  • Causes of biodiversity loss: habitat destruction, overexploitation, fragmentation, invasive species, deforestation.
  • Sixth mass extinction driven by human activities.

Additional Resources

• Mr. W provides a checklist and resources at learn-biology.com for detailed study and preparation.

This review summarizes Unit 8's key concepts on ecology, tracking through energy dynamics, population growth, community interactions, and the critical issues of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption. It is essential for understanding ecology's role within AP Biology and preparing for exams.