Unit review

• What is biodiversity?


  The variety of life in a specific area, including different species, genetic differences, and ecosystems.
• What defines a biome?


  A large region defined by climate, plants, and animals.
• What does ecosystem diversity refer to?


  The range of different ecosystems within a particular area, showcasing various habitats and community interactions.
• What is an ecotone?


  A transitional area between two ecosystems, where species from both ecosystems can be found.
• What is the edge effect?


  The ecological changes that occur at the boundary between two habitats, often leading to increased biodiversity.
• What characterizes a eukaryotic cell?


  A complex cell with a nucleus and organelles, found in organisms like plants, animals, and fungi.
• What does functional diversity refer to?


  The range of different biological functions or roles that species play within an ecosystem.
• What is genetic diversity?


  The variety of genes within a species, affecting its adaptability and resilience.
• What defines a prokaryotic cell?


  A simple cell without a nucleus or organelles, primarily found in bacteria and archaea.
• What is a species?


  A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
• What is species diversity?


  The variety of different species in a specific area, including both the number of species and their abundance.
• What does species evenness measure?


  How similar the abundances of different species are in a community.
• What is species richness?


  The total number of different species in a specific area.
• What are vertebrates?


  Animals with a backbone, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
• What are the major types of life on Earth?

  • Bacteria (prokaryotic microorganisms)
  • Archaea (prokaryotic microorganisms, often in extreme environments)
  • Eukarya (organisms with eukaryotic cells, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists)
• Why is biodiversity important?


  It contributes to ecosystem stability, resilience, and productivity.
• What is adaptation?


  A trait or characteristic that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
• What is artificial selection?


  The process by which humans selectively breed organisms for specific traits, leading to changes in a species over time.
• What is the background extinction rate?


  The normal rate at which species go extinct over time, typically a small percentage of species.
• What is ecological succession?


  The gradual process of change in species composition and community structure in an ecosystem over time.
• What is evolution?


  The process by which populations of organisms change over generations through mechanisms like natural selection and genetic drift.
• What is extinction?


  The complete loss of a species from the planet.
• What is the extinction rate?


  The rate at which species become extinct in a given time period.
• What are fossils?


  The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, providing evidence of past life and evolution.
• What is genetic adaptation?


  Changes in an organism's genetic makeup that improve its survival and reproductive success in its environment.
• What is genetic engineering?


  The manipulation of an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits or characteristics.
• What is genetic variability?


  The variation in genes among individuals within a population, which is important for adaptation and survival.
• What is geographic isolation?


  The physical separation of populations, which can lead to speciation as they evolve independently.
• What is mass extinction?


  A widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth, often resulting in the extinction of a large number of species in a short period.
• What is mutation?


  A change in an organism's DNA that can lead to new traits, providing raw material for evolution.
• What is natural selection?


  The process through which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.
• What is persistence in ecology?


  The ability of a species or ecosystem to withstand changes and continue to exist over time.
• What is a phylogenetic tree?


  A diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits.
• What are pioneer species?


  The first species to colonize a disturbed area, beginning the process of ecological succession.
• What is primary ecological succession?


  The development of an ecosystem in a previously uninhabited area, starting from bare rock or soil.
• What is radioactivity?


  The emission of radiation from the decay of unstable atomic nuclei, often used in dating fossils and geological formations.
• What is reproductive isolation?


  Mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding, maintaining species boundaries.
• What is resilience in ecosystems?


  The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances or changes.
• What is secondary ecological succession?


  The process of recovery in an ecosystem that has been disturbed but where soil and some organisms still exist.
• What is speciation?


  The process by which new species arise from existing species, often due to genetic divergence.