Chapter 4 and 5

Question 1

Change in the genetic makeup of a population of a species in successive generations. If continued long enough, it can lead to the formation of a new species. Note that populations, not individuals, evolve.

Answer 1

biological evolution

Question 2

Widely accepted scientific theory holding that the number of different species found on an island is determined by the interactions of two factors: the rate at which new species immigrate to the island and the rate at which species become extinct

Answer 2

theory of evolution

Question 3

Phenomenon in which individuals with adaptive genetic traits produce more living offspring than do individuals without such traits

Answer 3

differential reproduction

Question 4

Separation of populations of a species into different areas for long periods of time

Answer 4

geographic isolation

Question 5

Long-term geographic separation of members of a particular sexually reproducing species

Answer 5

reproductive isolation

Question 6

Species that is found in only one area. Such species are especially vulnerable to extinction

Answer 6

endemic species

Question 7

Normal extinction of various species as a result of changes in local environmental conditions

Answer 7

background extinction rate

Question 8

Catastrophic, widespread, often global event in which major groups of species are wiped out over a short time compared with normal extinctions

Answer 8

mass extinction

Question 9

Number of different species combined with the relative abundance of individuals within each of those species in a given area

Answer 9

species diversity

Question 10

Total way of life of a species in an ecosystem. It includes all physical, chemical, and biological conditions that a species needs to live and reproduce in an ecosystem.

Answer 10

ecological niche

Question 11

Species with a broad ecological niche. They can live in many different places, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. Examples include flies, cockroaches, mice, rats, and humans.

Answer 11

generalist species

Question 12

Species with a narrow ecological niche. They may be able to live in only one type of habitat, tolerate only a narrow range of climatic and other environmental conditions, or use only one type or a few types of food.

Answer 12

specialist species

Question 13

Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem

Answer 13

native species

Question 14

Species that migrate into an ecosystem or are deliberately or accidentally introduced into an ecosystem by humans.

Answer 14

nonnative species

Question 15

Species that play roles affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem

Answer 15

keystone species

Question 16

Species that plays a major role in shaping a community by creating and enhancing a habitat that benefits other species

Answer 16

foundation species

Question 17

variety of different species, genetic variability among individuals within each species, variety of ecosystems, and functions such as energy flow and matter cycling needed for the survival of species and biological communities

Answer 17

biological diversity

Question 18

Types of diversity

Answer 18

Biological, species, genetic, ecological, and functional

Question 19

estimated amount of organisms on Earth

Answer 19

8-100 million, best guess: 10-14 million, identified: 1.9 million

Question 20

how to differentiate between biomes

Answer 20

distinct climates and certain species that have adapted to them

Question 21

five species interactions

Answer 21

interspecific competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism

Question 22

limiting factors (some examples)

Answer 22

precipitation, soil nutrients, light, water, space, and temperature

Question 23

range of chemical and physical conditions that must be maintained for populations of a particular species to stay alive and grow, develop, and function normally

Answer 23

range of tolerance

Question 24

the maximum population of a given species that a particular habitat can sustain indefinitely

Answer 24

carrying capacity

Question 25

the number of individuals in a population found in a particular area or volume

Answer 25

population density

Question 26

exceed the carrying capacity of the environment. Population crash, a sharp decline in population

Answer 26

overshoot and dieback

Question 27

a population’s distribution of individuals among various age groups

Answer 27

age structure