AP Biology · Unit 8: Ecology
8.7 Disruptions in Ecosystems
In short
You must understand how environmental changes interact with genetic variations, including the concept of heterozygote advantage and the core principle that mutations are random and not directed by environmental pressures. The topic covers the impact of invasive species exploiting new niches and outcompeting native species.
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What else do you need to know about Disruptions in Ecosystems?
It also requires knowledge of specific human impacts, explicitly limited to biomagnification and eutrophication, that drive ecosystem changes and extinctions. Illustrative examples provided in the course (e.g., Kudzu, Zebra mussels, Dutch elm disease, global climate change, El Nino) may be used as contexts but are not exhaustively required to be memorized.
Can you do these?
- I can describe how an adaptation is a genetic variation favored by selection that provides an advantage in a particular environment.
- I can explain heterozygote advantage, where the heterozygous genotype has a higher relative fitness than homozygous genotypes.
- I can describe how the introduction of invasive species allows them to exploit new niches and outcompete native species.
- I can explain how human impacts like biomagnification and eutrophication drive changes in ecosystems and can cause extinctions.
How is Disruptions in Ecosystems tested on the exam?
Examined through questions that require you to use data to evaluate a hypothesis or prediction, including rejecting or failing to reject the null hypothesis (Suggested Skill 5.D). You may be presented with scenarios involving invasive species, human impacts (like biomagnification or eutrophication), or geological/meteorological events, and asked to analyze data to determine the effect on the ecosystem. Command words focus on 'Explain' and 'Describe'.
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Disruptions in Ecosystems: common questions
What do you need to know about Disruptions in Ecosystems for AP Biology?
You must understand how environmental changes interact with genetic variations, including the concept of heterozygote advantage and the core principle that mutations are random and not directed by environmental pressures. The topic covers the impact of invasive species exploiting new niches and outcompeting native species.
How is Disruptions in Ecosystems tested on the AP Biology exam?
Examined through questions that require you to use data to evaluate a hypothesis or prediction, including rejecting or failing to reject the null hypothesis (Suggested Skill 5.D). You may be presented with scenarios involving invasive species, human impacts (like biomagnification or eutrophication), or geological/meteorological events, and asked to analyze data to determine the effect on the ecosystem.
How do I know I have mastered Disruptions in Ecosystems?
Check you can do each of these: describe how an adaptation is a genetic variation favored by selection that provides an advantage in a particular environment; explain heterozygote advantage, where the heterozygous genotype has a higher relative fitness than homozygous genotypes; describe how the introduction of invasive species allows them to exploit new niches and outcompete native species; explain how human impacts like biomagnification and eutrophication drive changes in ecosystems and can cause extinctions.
Where does Disruptions in Ecosystems fit in AP Biology?
Disruptions in Ecosystems is topic 8.7 in Unit 8: Ecology of AP Biology.
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