Final Study Guide Part: 5

Question 1

Why do mass extinctions typically lead to more diversity in the long term?

Answer 1

Surviving species experience intense adaptive radiation to fit the various new niches available. There are also more resources available to support new/existing species.

Question 2

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 2

Groups evolve similar traits due to similar selective pressures rather than sharing a common ancestor with the trait

Question 3

What are trace fossils?

Answer 3

Indirect evidence of an organism’s existence/behavior (e.g. footprints, fossilized feces, burrows) without the organism itself

Question 4

How do species respond to anthropogenic changes in the environment?

Answer 4

They can:
1. Move (shift their range/habitat use)
2. Acclimate (short-term trait changes)
3. Adapt (↑ beneficial trait frequencies)
4. Die (fail to do any of the aforementioned)

Question 5

What is selective breeding?

Answer 5

Artificially selecting organisms for breeding to produce desired traits (e.g. singular wild mustard species being selectively bred into cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc.)

Question 6

What are the 3 levels of diversity?

Answer 6

1. Genetic diversity: within/between populations
2. Species diversity: speciation/extinction
3. Ecosystem diversity: disturbance, human alteration

Question 7

What are specialists?

Answer 7

species that thrive in a small niche

Question 8

What are generalists?

Answer 8

species that thrive in a wide niche

Question 9

What is genetic reversal?

Answer 9

When a trait that was evolved by an ancestor is lost in a species further down the line (e.g. snakes not having tetrapod limbs)