Biodiversity and Population Ecology

Question 1

Panspermia Hypothesis

Answer 1

Microbes and chemicals crashed on earth from asteroids/meteors

Question 2

Chemautotrophic Hypothesis

Answer 2

Chemicals combined in deep-sea hypothermal vents

Question 3

Intelligent Design Hypothesis

Answer 3

Life was created by intelligent superior beings

Question 4

Biological Evolution

Answer 4

The genetic change in populations of organisms across generations; results from random genetic change, and is driven by natural selection

Question 5

Ultimately _ are what drive genetic change

Answer 5

Mutations

Question 6

Once a mutation has been successfully passed on, we call it an _, or simply _

Answer 6

Adaptive trait; adaptation

Question 7

Natural Selection

Answer 7

The process by which traits become more desirable by enhancing changes for survival in genetic populations; over time genotype and phenotype of an organism are changed

Question 8

Biodiversity

Answer 8

Sum total of all organisms in a given area

Question 9

Species

Answer 9

One particular organism

Question 10

Population

Answer 10

A group of species living in the same area

Question 11

Allopatric Speciation

Answer 11

The formation of two new species by physical separation of two members of the original species

Question 12

Species Diversity

Answer 12

Number of varieties of species in the world or in a given region

Question 13

There are arguments on what constitutes a distinct species. Is it…

Answer 13

A group that shares characteristics due to shared common ancestry
OR
The ability to interbreed

Question 14

Genetic Diversity

Answer 14

Within species there can be a great deal of genetic variation; phenotypic variation

Question 15

The vast majority of species worldwide are _

Answer 15

Insects

Question 16

Latitudinal Gradient

Answer 16

Biodiversity increases along latitudes; majority of species are found along equator; possible explanations for this suggest that generalist species live in temperate and polar latitudes and specialist species live in tropical latitudes

Question 17

Generalist

Answer 17

Can adapt to many surroundings and food types (K species: few babies)

Question 18

Specialist

Answer 18

Adapt to one/few types of surroundings and food types (R species: lots of babies)

Question 19

Extinction

Answer 19

The ending of a species on earth

Question 20

Extirpation

Answer 20

The disappearance of a species from a given area, but not from the earth globally

Question 21

5 prior mass extinction events (where 1/2 of the species are lost):

Answer 21

Ordovician extinction: 440 mya, unknown cause
Devonian extinction: 370 mya, unknown cause
Permo-Triassic extinction: 250 mya, unknown cause
Triassic extinction: 202 mya, unknown cause
Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction: 65 mya, asteroid impact?

Question 22

Habitat Alteration

Answer 22

Human activities that result in the changing/alteration of an area’s habitat; often drives species away from their natural homes; urbanization/suburban crawl; some animals actually benefit; by far the greatest problem of biodiversity, accounting for around 85% of population declines

Question 23

Invasive Species

Answer 23

Non-native species that are introduced into an environment and absolutely take over, displacing natural residents or consuming them; mostly accidental, but has had a history of purposeful introduction; don’t have a natural predator

Question 24

Climate Change

Answer 24

The warming of the earth’s temperatures; an indirect human impact; even small temperature changes worldwide can cause some species to lose their habitat; polar regions and mountainous regions

Question 25

Pollution

Answer 25

A multifaceted killer; air pollution can destroy forests from acid rain, water pollution kills fish/amphibians, and agricultural runoff can kill marsh/wetland plants and animals; known to alter reproductive ability of many species; third worst factor behind habitat alteration and invasive species

Question 26

Over-Harvesting

Answer 26

Over-hunting or over-collecting of organisms; usually has to do with hunting or fishing; without proper management practices, many species can be susceptible to devastation from hunters/fishers

Question 27

Heterotrophic Hypothesis

Answer 27

A “primordial soup” of chemicals came together in a right combination that ultimately formed life

Question 28

Endemic Organisms

Answer 28

Only natural cause on the list; an endemic animal is an animal that adapts to live in a certain, given area; if the area is affected, the animal will go extinct

Question 29

Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Answer 29

Bans international transport of endangered species and their body parts

Question 30

Biodiversity Hotspots

Answer 30

Protection of areas with the most biodiversity

Question 31

Why preserve biodiversity?

Answer 31

Variety is the spice of life; biodiversity enhances survival

Question 32

Island Equilibrium Theory

Answer 32

Means of setting up artificially/naturally protected areas; Distance Effect: when you move away from the mainland, biodiversity decreases; Target Size: when the island is larger, there is more biodiversity; Differential Extinction: put animals in the middle