Form/Class
Name
Structured Questions: Extinction
This exercise is about extinction and the reason why some organisms become extinct.
The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) is a carnivorous bear that lives in the Arctic Circle. This bear is
adapted to survive the cold environment of the Arctic and although they are born on land, their spend
most of their lives on the sea ice. Polar bears hunt at the edge of the sea ice for seals, which make up
the vast majority of their diet. When there is no sea ice the bears have to live of stores of fat in their
bodies.
What do you think would happen to the population of Polar bears if the amount of sea ice present every
year decreased? Explain your answer.
How would this change affect the population of seals?
What possible reasons could there be for a reduction in the amount of sea ice?
The destruction of the Polar Bear’s habitat (changes in sea ice) have led to scientists being concerned
about the survival of the Polar Bear as a species. List 3 other possible reasons why a species may
become extinct:
1.
2.
3.
Teachers’ Club Science – Student worksheets
Teachers’ Club Science
Physics/Chemistry/Biology
STRETCH AND CHALLENGE:
The Polar Bear is just one of many examples of a species that is at risk of becoming extinct. Some
people think we should prevent extinctions from happening, but some people don’t think we should. Put
the following opinions into the correct columns on the table.
1.
2.
3.
4.
It is expensive.
We have a responsibility to look after living things.
Extinction is a natural process that we should not interfere with.
Endangered species may help us develop new medicines.
Try and add at least two more opinions to the table; one for each column.
Reasons FOR protecting endangered organisms.
Reasons AGAINST protecting endangered
organisms
Complete some research about organisms that are classified as being endangered. Choose one
organism and produce a poster that will persuade people that your chosen organism is worth saving.
On your poster, include the following information:

A picture of the organism.

A map of where that organism exists in the world.

Information about why the organism is endangered.

Information about why it should be saved.

A proposal for how the organism can be saved.