Unit 2 - Slideshow #1

Question 1

Geologic Time

Answer 1

The vast span of time over which Earth’s geological development and life forms have evolved

Question 2

Mass Extinction

Answer 2

A rapid and widespread decrease in biodiversity due to environmental changes

Question 3

Biodiversity

Answer 3

The variety of life in an ecosystem, which includes habitat diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity.

Question 4

Habitat Diversity

Answer 4

The variety of different habitats within an ecosystem, supporting various species

Question 5

Species Diversity

Answer 5

The variety of species in an ecosystem, including species richness and species evenness

Question 6

Genetic Diversity

Answer 6

The variety of genes within a species, which allows better adaptation to environmental stress

Question 7

Ecological Niche

Answer 7

The role a species plays in its ecosystem, including how it interacts with other species and its environment

Question 8

Fundamental Niche

Answer 8

The full potential role a species could occupy in an environment without competition

Question 9

Realized Niche

Answer 9

The actual role a species occupies after taking into account limiting factors like competition

Question 10

Interspecific Competition

Answer 10

Competition between different species for resources

Question 11

Intraspecific Competition

Answer 11

Competition within the same species, often for mates or resources

Question 12

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Answer 12

No two species can occupy the same niche in the same environment for an extended time

Question 13

Native Species

Answer 13

Species that naturally occur in a particular ecosystem or region

Question 14

Nonnative Species

Answer 14

Species that are introduced into a new ecosystem, intentionally or accidentally

Question 15

Keystone Species

Answer 15

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem, helping maintain structure and biodiversity

Question 16

Invasive Species

Answer 16

A nonnative species that causes harm to the environment, economy, or native species

Question 17

Foundation Species

Answer 17

Species that create or modify habitats and improve conditions for other species

Question 18

Indicator Species

Answer 18

Species that serve as early warnings of environmental damage

Question 19

Predation

Answer 19

The biological interaction where one organism feeds on another organism

Question 20

Mutualism

Answer 20

A relationship where both species benefit from the interaction

Question 21

Commensalism

Answer 21

A relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed

Question 22

Parasitism

Answer 22

A relationship where one species benefits at the expense of another

Question 23

Primary Succession

Answer 23

Ecological development in lifeless areas where no soil exists

Question 24

Biodiversity Hotspots

Answer 24

Regions with high biodiversity that are under threat of destruction

Question 25

Endemic Species

Answer 25

Species that are native to and found only within a specific geographic area

Question 26

Resource Partitioning

Answer 26

An adaptation where different species use resources differently to minimize competition

Question 27

Secondary Succession

Answer 27

Recovery of an ecosystem in disturbed areas where soil and organisms still exist

Question 28

Ordovician-Silurian Extinction

Answer 28

1st, caused by a drop in sea levels due to glaciation, wiping out around 85% of marine species

Question 29

Late Devonian Extinction

Answer 29

2nd, primarily affected marine life, possibly due to climate change and reduced oxygen levels in oceans, eliminating about 75% of species

Question 30

Permian-Triassic Extinction

Answer 30

3rd, largest known extinction, wiping out 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species, possibly due to volcanic activity and climate shifts

Question 31

Triassic-Jurassic Extinction

Answer 31

4th, massive volcanic eruptions and climate change, leading to the extinction of about 80% of species, including many large reptiles.

Question 32

Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction

Answer 32

5th most famously wiping out the dinosaurs, likely due to a massive asteroid impact combined with volcanic activity, ending 75% of species.

Question 33

Latitudinal Diversity Gradient

Answer 33

Pattern where biodiversity increases as you move from the poles toward the equator, with equatorial regions having the highest species richness due to factors like more stable climates and greater habitat variety

Question 34

Pioneer Species

Answer 34

The first organisms to colonize disturbed environments during ecological succession, often breaking down rocks and creating soil, which allows other species to establish later