8.1 Responses to the Environment

Explain how the behavioral and physiological response of an organism is related to changes in internal or external environment.

• Organisms respond to changes in their environment through behavioral and physiological mechanisms.
  • Exclusion: Knowledge of specific behavioral or physiological mechanisms is beyond the scope of the AP Exam.
• Organisms exchange information with one another in response to internal changes and external cues, which can change behavior.

Explain how the behavioral responses of organisms affect their overall fitness and may contribute to the success of a population.

• Organisms communicate through various mechanisms (visual, audible, tactile, electrical, and/or chemical signals).
  • i. Organisms have a variety of signaling behaviors that produce changes in the behavior of other organisms and can result in differential reproductive success.
  • ii. Animals use signals to indicate dominance, find food, establish territory, and ensure reproductive success.
  • Exclusion: Knowledge of specific mechanisms of communication is beyond the scope of the AP Exam.
• Responses to information and communication of information are vital to natural selection and evolution.
  • i. Fitness favors innate and learned behaviors that increase survival and reproductive success.
  • ii. Cooperative behavior tends to increase the fitness of the individual and the survival of the population.
  • Exclusion: The details of the various communications and community behavioral systems are beyond the scope of the AP Exam.