enviro quest

Question 1

Genetic Diversity

Answer 1

Variety of genes within a species.

Question 2

Species Diversity

Answer 2

Variety of species within an ecosystem.

Question 3

Ecosystem Diversity

Answer 3

Variety of ecosystems in a region (like terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems).

Question 4

Island Biogeography

Answer 4

Study of species distribution on islands.

Question 5

Larger Islands

Answer 5

Higher immigration rates (bigger target for species).
Lower extinction rates (more space supports bigger populations).

Question 6

Specialist Species

Answer 6

Evolve on islands due to limited resources. Vulnerable to invasive species (generalists).

Question 7

Distance Effect

Answer 7

Farther islands from the continent have fewer species due to difficulty in colonization.

Question 8

Habitat Fragmentation

Answer 8

Fragmentation happens when parts of a habitat are destroyed, leaving behind smaller unconnected areas. This theory also applies to isolated habitats on land.

Question 9

Habitat

Answer 9

A place where an organism lives.

Question 10

Niche

Answer 10

The role an organism plays in its environment.
Example: Beavers eat wood, build dams, and create habitats for other species.

Question 11

Generalists

Answer 11

Have broad niches and do well in changing habitats.

Question 12

Specialists

Answer 12

Have narrow niches and thrive in stable habitats.

Question 13

Evolution

Answer 13

Change in gene frequencies in a population over time.

Question 14

Artificial Selection:

Answer 14

Traits are chosen by humans.

Question 15

Natural Selection

Answer 15

Traits chosen by the environment, favoring survival traits.

Question 16

Fitness

Answer 16

Ability to survive and reproduce.

Question 17

Adaptations

Answer 17

Traits that improve fitness.

Question 18

Mutations

Answer 18

Genetic changes.

Question 19

Genetic Drift

Answer 19

Changes in a population due to chance.

Question 20

Bottleneck Effect

Answer 20

Reduction in population size and genetic diversity.

Question 21

Founder Effect

Answer 21

New populations start with a small number of individuals, limiting genetic diversity.

Question 22

Succession

Answer 22

Ecosystem changes over time.

Question 23

Pioneer Species

Answer 23

First to colonize and prepare the environment for others.

Question 24

Primary Succession

Answer 24

Starts on new soil (e.g., volcanic rock).

Question 25

Secondary Succession

Answer 25

Follows a disruption (e.g., fire or flood).

Question 26

Climax Community

Answer 26

Stable, mature community that develops over time

Question 27

Keystone Species

Answer 27

Crucial for ecosystem balance; their removal causes drastic community changes. Example: Seastars control mussel populations. Without seastars, mussels overtake the ecosystem, reducing diversity.

Question 28

Indicator Species

Answer 28

Species whose presence, absence, or condition indicates ecosystem health (e.g., thriving or unhealthy).

Question 29

Fossils

Answer 29

Imprints of organisms in stone.

Question 30

Fossil Record

Answer 30

Collection of fossils worldwide, which provides evidence for evolutionary changes over time.