University of Washington, Seattle

BIOLOGY 180

RQ30-Mutualism Coev

1)What does it mean to say that mutualism is a +/+ interaction?

2. What is the nature of the fungal-plant mutualism mentioned in the text?
3. What is the nature of the bacteria-plant mutualism mentioned in the text?
4. Some beetles that visit flowers to harvest nectar get into the flower by chewing

through the sides of the petals. As a result, they do not become dusted with pollen. Is this a mutualistic interaction?

5. Gary Larson drew a cartoon with an alligator lying on a psychiatrist's couch. The alligator is saying, "You know those little birds that clean our teeth*?

The alligator has guilt because it hasn’t been acting as a mutualist.

6. Why is it accurate to claim that the ant-treehoper mutualism described in the text is “contigent”?

RQ32v2-Ecosys Glob

1. What event likely led INDIRECTLY to the decrease in aspen tree populations in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem?
2. How has the number of fires per century changed since 1700 in the giant sequoia groves in California?
3. Which is an example of an event that would initiate primary succession?

4. In Glacier Bay, Alaska, which tree would be found mainly in a late successional or climax community?
5. What is “tolerance”? (in terms of ecological succession)

RQ31v2-Energy Nutri

1. What is biomass?
2. What is the key difference between primary productivity and net primary productivity?
3. What is detritivores eat?
4. Which of these factors is NOT a major factor in determining how fast

decomposition occurs?

5. Where is the main reservoir of phosphorus?

RQ32-Ecosys Glob

1. What is the difference between weather and climate? NOTE: Your assigned reading uses these terms, but the definitions are on page 1130.
2. Extensive and unusual cold snaps have occurred here recently. Is this evidence

that global warming is lessening or not occurring?