LS1201

Introduction to Biology II

Class No. 3
(5th Jan 2017)
9.00am
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Mechanism/ Proximate answers

pulvinus

flexor cells swell and

extensor cells shrink

loss of K+ ions accompanied by a rapid loss of

water when shrinking and actively take up K+ ions
and water when swelling.
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Why does this plant show this behaviour?

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Why?

Defensive behaviour to reduce predation risk.

How important is this?

Thorns Flowers
Other
Plants?
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What is the cost of this behaviour?

Energy required for the movement

Loss of photosynthesis

Can it be modulated?
Under a stressful situation what happens?

• High light conditions = Leaves stay closed for longer periods of time
• Low light conditions = Leaves open up faster
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Mimosa pudica
Does one plant of this species show this behaviour
(rapid movement of the leaf)?
No, all individuals of this species show this behaviour

What is the advantage that this species as compared to other

species?
WHY
Ultimate questions
at the level of individual organism
at the level of a species
 Going back to variation

Types of variables

Continuous variables Discontinuous variables

Continuous variables

Skin colour
Height
Weight
 Types of Variation

Simple one or couple of gene induced Multiple gene induced

Less impacted by environment Impacted by environment
Types of Variation
 Riddle of Variation
Almost every character of a species has variation
in nature

Why do we see such a great deal of variation?

Can there be any significance to this variation?

 Troop
consists of
one male and
several
females and
their children

Hanuman Langur