Flashcards in Biodiversity And Evolution Lab Deck (33)
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1
Biodiversity (4)
The diversity of life forms in an environment
Refers to the variety of species, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they live in
Is most concentrated around the equator
Highly diverse ecosystems are more stable/better able to withstand environmental change
2
Species diversity
The number and variety of the species present in any biological community (multiple species in an area) population: 1 species
3
Genetic diversity
The variety of genes found in a population or in a species
4
Ecosystem diversity
The variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in an area or on earth
5
Functional diversity
The variety of processes such as energy flow and matter cycling that occur within ecosystems
6
Evolution
The change in the genetic makeup of a population over time
7
Natural selection
Individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and reproduce under a particular set of environmental conditions than are those without the traits
8
Adaptation (2)
A trait that improves an individual's fitness
The genetically inheritable traits that make an organism more likely to survive and reproduce
9
Theory of evolution (3)
All species evolved from earlier, ancestral species
Life comes from life
Populations become different over time, not individuals
10
Speciation (2)
The evolution of a new species
One species splits into two or more different species
11
Geographic isolation
Physical separation of a group of individuals from others of the same species
12
Reproductive isolation
The result of two populations within a species evolving separately to the point that they can no longer interbreed and produce viable offspring
13
Artificial selection
Process by which humans select one or more desirable genetic traits in a population of organisms and then use selective breeding to produce populations containing many individuals with the desired traits
14
Genetic engineering
Insertion of a foreign gene into an organism to give it a beneficial genetic trait
15
Extinction (3)
When an entire species disappears from the earth
May be caused when environmental conditions change dramatically or rapidly
Endemic species are especially vulnerable
16
Background extinction rate
The average rate at which species become extinct over the long term
17
Endemic species
Species found commonly in particular area
18
Mass extinction
A large extinction of species in a relatively short period of time
19
Niche
An organisms way of life including everything that would affect its survival and reproduction
20
Generalist species
Have broad niches since they have a variety of food sources and demonstrate a wide range of tolerance for environmental conditions
21
Specialist species
Have narrow niches and typically feed on only one food source and most likely tolerate only a narrow range of environmental conditions
22
Native species (2)
Organisms that typically live and flourish in a particular environment
May be outcompeted by invasive species
23
No native
Not in a particular area
24
Keystone species (3)
A species that plays a far more important role in its community than its relative abundance might suggest
Play roles affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem
Disappearance of these organisms has great impact on community
25
Indicator species (3)
A species that indicates whether or not disease causing pathogens are likely to be present
Provide an early warning of damage to a community or ecosystem
Are sensitive to change in certain abiotic factors
26
Interspecific competition
The competition between two or more species for the same limited resources
27
Predation
An interaction in which one animal kills and consumes another animal
28
Parasitism
One organism gains energy by living on or inside a host organism
29
Mutualism
Two organisms interact in a manner that is beneficial to both in some way
30
Commensalism
Interaction that benefits one species but has little to no impact on the other
31
Ecological succession
The gradual change in species abundance and diversity after environmental disturbances
32
Primary succession
The establishment of a biotic community from a previously lifeless terrain
33
