Animal Behaviour

Inbreeding means mating of closely related organisms. In plants, it is done by artificial self pollination, i.e. selfing to increase homozygosity.

Territoriality - the defense of a specific area - arises from competition between individuals or species for resources like food, mates, and nesting sites. It is not associated with parasitism, predation, or cooperation.

Saharan desert ants (Cataglyphis) navigate using the polarization patterns of sunlight, which remain stable even when the sun is obscured. They do not rely on landmarks (absent in desert), pheromone trails (ineffective in shifting sands), or dance communication (unique to honeybees).

Autotomy is the self-amputation of a body part (like tail) as a defense mechanism. It is distinct from autophagy (self-eating of cells), morphallaxis (reorganization without growth), and epimorphosis (regeneration with new growth).

Bed bugs feed on human blood, causing harm (itching, blood loss, psychological distress) without providing any benefit - this is parasitism. Commensalism involves one-sided benefit without harm. Mutualism requires both parties to benefit.

Kinesis is a non-directional change in activity rate in response to stimulus intensity - as light increases, the organism's movement increases without directional orientation. Phototaxis is directional movement toward (positive) or away (negative) from light, which is different from the described response.

Statement I is incorrect - mimicry is resembling another organism or object for protection, not blending with background (that's camouflage). Statement II (camouflage allows animals to remain unnoticed from distance) is correct. Statement III (Arctic tern's longest migration) is correct. Statement IV (locusts' periodic migration) is correct.

Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic relationship between a photosynthetic partner (green algae or cyanobacteria) and a fungal partner. The fungal component is almost always an ascomycete fungus, which provides structure and protection while receiving nutrients from the algae. This mutualistic relationship allows lichens to survive in harsh environments where neither organism could thrive alone.

Restorative regeneration is the specific biological process that allows organisms to regrow lost body parts or regenerate entire organisms from fragments. This differs from reparative regeneration, which only involves healing damaged tissues without complete replacement. Planaria and starfish are classic examples of organisms capable of restorative regeneration.

Müllerian mimicry occurs when multiple harmful or unpalatable species evolve similar appearances to reinforce predator avoidance. Bees, wasps, and hornets all share similar black and yellow coloration patterns that warn predators of their stinging ability. This is distinct from Batesian mimicry where a harmless species imitates a harmful one.

Androgens are male sex hormones that stimulate male pattern development and secondary sexual characteristics. They contribute to sex drive in both males and females and have anabolic effects including protein synthesis stimulation. Statement 2 is incorrect because androgens primarily stimulate male (not both male and female) patterns of development.

The critical period is a specific developmental window when young animals form strong attachments to moving objects, typically their mother. Konrad Lorenz's famous goose experiments demonstrated that this imprinting occurs during a limited time frame and is irreversible. Missing this critical period can permanently impair the ability to form normal social bonds.

This matching question tests knowledge of ecological relationships. Ammensalism (4) involves one organism being inhibited while the other is unaffected. Commensalism (5) benefits one organism while the other is unaffected. Symbiosis (2) refers to two dissimilar species living in close association. Parasitism (1) benefits one organism while harming the other.

Predation and parasitism are of negative interactions, i.e. (– –) where members of one population compete for food and excrete harmful wastes or otherwise interfere with the other population.

Filial imprinting specifically describes the process where young animals learn to recognize and follow their parents. This differs from sexual imprinting (which influences mate choice later in life) and other forms of learning. The term 'filial' specifically refers to the offspring-parent relationship, making this the correct terminology.