Chapter 4

Question 0

Species diversity

Answer 0

Number and abundance of species present in different communities

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

Variety of the earths species, the genes they contain, the ecosystem in which they live and the ecosystem processes that sustain all life

Question 2

Ecological diversity

Answer 2

Variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in an area or on the earth

Question 3

Functional diversity

Answer 3

Biological and chemical processes such as energy flow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species, communities and ecosystems

Question 4

Genetic diversity

Answer 4

Variety of genetic material within a species or a population

Question 5

Biological evolution

Answer 5

Process where life changes over time through changes in the genes of the populations

Question 6

Natural selection

Answer 6

Some individuals of a population have genetically based traits that enhance their ability to survive and produce offspring with those traits

Question 7

Fossils

Answer 7

Mineralized or petrified replicas of skeletons, bones, teeth, shells, leaves and seeds, or impressions of these items in rocks

Question 8

Mutations

Answer 8

Random changes in the structure or number of DNA molecules in a cell that can be inherited by offspring

Question 9

Adaptation

Answer 9

Any heritable trait that enables an individual organism to survive through natural selection

Question 10

Differential reproduction

Answer 10

Enables individuals with the trait to leave more offspring than other members of the population leave

Question 11

Speciation

Answer 11

When natural selection leads to an entirely new species

Question 12

Geographic isolation

Answer 12

Different groups of the same population of a species become physically isolated from one another for long periods.

Question 13

Reproductive isolation

Answer 13

Mutation and change due to natural selection operate in the gene pools of geographically isolated populations. Can no longer produce life, fertile offspring

Question 14

Extinction

Answer 14

An entire species ceases to exist

Question 15

Endemic species

Answer 15

Species that are found in only one area and are especially vulnerable to extinction

Question 16

Background extinction

Answer 16

When species disappear at a low rate

Question 17

Mass extinction

Answer 17

A significant rise in extinction rates above background level

Question 18

Species richness

Answer 18

The number of different species a community contains

Question 19

Species evenness

Answer 19

Relative abundance of individuals within each species in a community

Question 20

Niche

Answer 20

A species way of life in a community and includes everything that affects its survival and reproduction, a pattern of living

Question 21

Generalist species

Answer 21

Broad niches, live in many different places, and tolerate a wide range of conditions.

Question 22

Specialist species

Answer 22

Narrow niche, live in very few habitats, and tolerate a narrow range of conditions.

Question 23

Indicator species

Answer 23

Provide early warnings of damage to a community or ecosystem because they are so sensitive to ecological conditions

Question 24

Keystone species

Answer 24

Have a large effect on the types and abundance a of the other species in an ecosystem

Question 25

Foundation species

Answer 25

Play a major role in shaping communities by creating and enhancing their habitats in ways that benefit other species