Chapter 4

Question 1

Artificial selection

Answer 1

The identification and selection of desirable traits by selectively breeding

Question 2

Apex predator

Answer 2

An animal with no natural predators. Top of the food chain

Question 3

Biome

Answer 3

A major ecological community type

Question 4

Charismatic megafauna

Answer 4

A large species with symbolic value or widespread popular appeal. Often used by activists to gain public support for environmentalist goals

Question 5

Ecosystem diversity

Answer 5

The variety of different habitats, communities, and ecological processes within an ecosystem

Question 6

Evolution

Answer 6

The change in the genetic makeup of a population over time

Question 7

Foundation species

Answer 7

Species that form habitats. Fundamental to the survival of an ecosystem

Question 8

Functional diversity

Answer 8

Variety of processes that occur within ecosystems as species interact (ex: energy flow, matter cycling)

Question 9

Generalist species

Answer 9

Broad niche
Many different habitats
Many different foods
Tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions

Question 10

Specialist species

Answer 10

Narrow niche
One habitat
Few foods
Tolerate a narrow range of environmental conditions
More suceptible to extinction

Question 11

Genetic diversity

Answer 11

Variety of genes found in a population or species

Question 12

Genetic engineering

Answer 12

The process by which scientists alter genes in order to create new traits

Question 13

Geographic isolation

Answer 13

The separation of two populations by a physical barrier, sometimes resulting in speciation

Question 14

Green world hypothesis

Answer 14

Predators regulate the ecosystem from the top down, ensuring that insects don’t eat all the plants

Question 15

Habitat

Answer 15

The home of any living thing

Question 16

Indicator species

Answer 16

A highly sensitive species which can indicate an environmental change early

Question 17

Keystone species

Answer 17

A species with a pivotal role in its ecosystem

Question 18

Mass extinction

Answer 18

When species vanish at a rate much faster than they can be replaced

Question 19

Mutation

Answer 19

A mistake in the DNA sequence of an individual

Question 20

Native species

Answer 20

normally live/thrive in a particular ecosystem

Question 21

Natural selection

Answer 21

The process by which individuals with favorable traits are better able to survive and reproduce

Question 22

Niche

Answer 22

The role an organism plays in a healthy ecosystem

Question 23

Non-native species

Answer 23

Migrate into/introduced to a new ecosystem

Question 24

Reproductive isolation

Answer 24

The behavioral, geographic, or temporal separation of one group from another

Question 25

Specialist species

Answer 25

Narrow niche
One type of habitat
More susceptible to extinction

Question 26

Species

Answer 26

A group of organisms capable of producing viable offspring

Question 27

Species diversity

Answer 27

Number and abundance of different kinds of species within an ecosystem

Question 28

Species evenness

Answer 28

Describes the abundances of species relative to those within their ecosystem
Highest when all species have the same abundance

Question 29

Speciation

Answer 29

The process by which a new species evolves from a common ancestor through evolution

Question 30

Trophic cascade

Answer 30

The impact on an entire ecosystem when a species is removed or reduced