Causes of extinction

• What are the two main categories of causes of extinction?

  Natural and anthropogenic
• What defines a natural cause of extinction?

  Extinction caused by ordinary events without human intervention
• What is one example of a natural cause of extinction?

  Massive volcanic eruption
• How does a massive volcanic eruption contribute to extinction?

  It releases carbon dioxide, warms the planet, and changes climate patterns
• What are the effects of climate heating and cooling on organisms?

  Sudden climatic changes can lead to extinction if organisms cannot adapt
• What is global warming?

  The increase in average temperature of Earth's atmosphere
• Which organisms are particularly affected by global warming in cold environments?

  Lizards that give birth to live young
• Why might penguins, polar bears, and arctic foxes face extinction due to climate change?

  They do not adapt well to hot temperatures
• What can changes in the condition of the seas lead to?

  Rising sea levels may render low-lying areas uninhabitable
• How can changes in sea currents affect marine organisms?

  They may decrease the nutrients needed by marine organisms
• What effect does increased carbon dioxide have on the seas?

  It can change the chemical makeup of the seas, making them less conducive for marine life
• What catastrophic event can lead to mass extinction through impact?

  A large asteroid or comet collision
• What are the consequences of an asteroid or comet impact on Earth?

  It can instantly kill organisms and block sunlight, triggering global cooling
• How does dust generated by an asteroid impact affect the climate?

  It blocks sunlight from penetrating Earth, leading to global cooling