Ch. 10 Key Terms

Question 1

biodiversity

Answer 1

refers to the number of different species in a given area.

Question 2

gene

Answer 2

a piece of DNA that codes for a specific trait that can be inherited by an organism’s offspring.

Question 3

keystone species

Answer 3

species that are clearly critical to the functioning of an ecosystem

Question 4

ecotourism

Answer 4

a form of tourism that supports the conservation and sustainable development of ecologically unique areas

Question 5

endangered species

Answer 5

a species that is likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately

Question 6

threatened species

Answer 6

a species that has a declining population and that is likely to become endangered if it is not protected.

Question 7

exotic species

Answer 7

a species that is not native to a particular region

Question 8

poaching

Answer 8

illegally hunting, fishing, harvesting, or trading wildlife

Question 9

endemic species

Answer 9

species that are native to and found only within a limited area

Question 10

germ plasm

Answer 10

any form of genetic material, such as that contained within the reproductive, or germ, cells of animals and plants

Question 11

Endangered Species Act

Answer 11

In 1973, the U.S. Congress passed the Endangered Species Act and has amended it several times since. This law is designed to protect plant and animal species in danger of extinction

Question 12

habitat conservation plan

Answer 12

a plan that attempts to protect one or more species across large areas of land through trade-offs or cooperative agreements

Question 13

Biodiversity Treaty

Answer 13

The treaty’s goal is to preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries