BIOL 215 Lecture : BIOL 215 Notes.pdf
17 Mar 2012
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Document Summary
Ecology: the study of relationships between organisms and their environments (which includes biotic and abiotic components). The aims of ecology are (to describe) and to understand the distribution, abundance, and production of organisms in their environment. Macarthur found 5 different species which occupied the same trees. They occupy the same tree, but different parts. They are occupying the same habitat, but different niches, which limits their interactions. Prevents them from competing and allows them to co-exist. Temperature affects the metabolic activities of all organisms. All biochemical reactions are catalyzed by enzymes. Enzyme reaction rates are proportional to temperature. Trout have 2 forms of the enzyme. One which works well in cold temperaturesand one that works well in warm. These two forms match the temperature regime that the fish encounters in winter. These trout are then restricted to environments where the enzymes are most. Physiological differences reflect environmental differences and evolutionary. Most species perform best in a narrow range of temperature.
