Chapter 4

Question 1

What does extinct mean?

Answer 1

Extinct means that no organisms of a particular species are alive anywhere in the world.

Question 2

What term is used for species that are at risk of extinction?

Answer 2

Endangered species.

Question 3

Give an example of an endangered species.

Answer 3

Giant panda.

Question 4

What are some techniques used to prevent extinction?

Answer 4

• Conservation
• Captive breeding
• Seed banks

Question 5

What does conservation mean?

Answer 5

Conservation means protecting a natural environment to ensure that habitats are not lost.

Question 6

List two benefits of conservation.

Answer 6

• Reduces disruption to food chains and food webs
• Makes it possible for medicinal plant species to be discovered.

Question 7

What is captive breeding?

Answer 7

Captive breeding means breeding animals in human-controlled environments.

Question 8

List the aims of captive breeding.

Answer 8

• Create a stable, healthy population of a species
• Gradually re-introduce the species back into its natural habitat.

Question 9

What are some problems associated with captive breeding?

Answer 9

• Maintaining genetic diversity can be difficult
• Organisms born in captivity may not be suitable for release in the wild.

Question 10

What are seed banks?

Answer 10

Seed banks are a way of conserving plants by carefully storing seeds for future growth.

Question 11

What is the purpose of the Millennium Seed Bank Project?

Answer 11

To provide a back-up against the extinction of plants in the wild by storing seeds for future use.

Question 12

True or False: The UK has over 4000 conservation areas known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Answer 12

True.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: Scientists are using a number of techniques to try to prevent species becoming ______.

Answer 13

extinct.

Question 15

What is the process by which organisms evolve according to Darwin?

Answer 15

Natural selection

Natural selection is the mechanism by which organisms best suited to their environment survive and reproduce.

Question 16

What significant scientific expedition did Darwin join in 1831?

Answer 16

Captain Robert FitzRoy’s scientific expedition to the Galapagos Islands

This journey was crucial in the development of Darwin’s theories.

Question 17

What book did Darwin publish in 1859 that presented his theory of evolution?

Answer 17

‘On the Origin of Species’

This book was controversial as it challenged the belief that God created all life.

Question 18

What did Darwin notice about finches on different islands?

Answer 18

They had different beak shapes adapted to the food available

This observation led to his conclusions about natural selection.

Question 19

What is meant by peer review?

Answer 19

A process where a scientist’s work is checked by another scientist in a similar area

This ensures the validity and quality of scientific research.

Question 20

Who was another scientist that worked on a similar theory of evolution as Darwin?

Answer 20

Alfred Wallace

Wallace and Darwin’s ideas were so similar they jointly published their theory.

Question 21

What is one piece of evidence that supports Darwin’s theory of natural selection?

Answer 21

The fossil record

It provides evidence that organisms have changed over time.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Darwin realized that if a bird was born with a beak suited to food, it would survive longer and have more _______.

Answer 22

offspring

This concept is essential to understanding natural selection.

Question 23

What happens to species that do not adapt to environmental changes?

Answer 23

They die out

This is a key point in understanding extinction and natural selection.

Question 24

What was the public reaction to Darwin’s theory upon the publication of his book?

Answer 24

It was extremely controversial

Many found it difficult to accept that humans evolved from apes.

Question 25

Describe the relationship between the shape of the finches' beaks and their environment.

Answer 25

The shape of the beaks was linked to the type of food available on each island ## Footnote This adaptation illustrates the process of natural selection.

Question 26

What did Darwin conclude about the population of birds over time?

Answer 26

The population would all have the characteristic suited to their environment ## Footnote This is a fundamental aspect of natural selection.

Question 27

Describe three pieces of evidence in support of Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Answer 27

* The fossil record * Changes in microorganism populations * Extinction of species that do not adapt ## Footnote These pieces of evidence demonstrate the validity of Darwin's theory.