Chapter 5 Vocabulary List
Ecosystem Diversity
Species Diversity
Genetic Diversity
Species Richness
Species Eveness
Phylogenies
Evolution
Microevolution
Macroevolution
Genes
Genotype
Mutation
Recombination
Phenotype
Artificial Selection
Natural Selection
Fitness
Adaptations
Genetic Drift
Bottleneck Effect
Founder Effect
Geographic Isolation
Reproductive
Isolation
Allopatric Speciation
Sympatric Speciation
Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified
Organisms
Range of Tolerance
Fundamental Niche
Realized Niche
Species Distribution
Niche Generalists
Niche Specialists
Fossils
Mass Extinction
Sixth Mass Extinction
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The Dung of the Devil
Earth is home to a tremendous diversity of species
Evolution is the mechanism underlying biodiversity.
1. What does the story of the “Dung of the Devil” tell us about the value of biodiversity?
2. Many traditional societies (such as indigenous tribes of hunter-gatherers) have cultural
traditions of using certain plants or animals as part of medicinal treatments. How can we
determine which ones actually have an effect, and which ones are mere superstition?
3. How do each of the following types of biodiversity support healthy ecosystem function:
a. Genetic diversity –
b. Species diversity –
c. Ecosystem diversity –
4. What is the current estimate for the total number of species on Earth, and why is it so hard to
get an accurate count?
5. What is the difference between species richness and species eveness?
6. Which one do you think is more important for ecosystem health – species richness or eveness?
Explain.
7. How do scientists construct a phylogeny, or phylogenetic tree?
8. Explain how genetic diversity is created through evolution.
9. In artificial selection, humans induce evolution in a species over time through our actions.
Provide 2 examples NOT from the textbook of how humans can shape species’ evolution.
10. What factors dictate changes in species in the process of natural selection?
11. List 5 organisms and describe the adaptations that increase their fitness in their environment:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Complete the following chart regarding evolution through random processes:
Random Processes:
Description:
Effects on genetic diversity?
12. Mutations
13. Genetic drift
14. Bottleneck
Effect
15. Founder Effect
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Speciation and extinction determine biodiversity.
Evolution shapes ecological niches and determines species distribution.
Working Towards Sustainability: Buying the Oceans?
1. Describe the process through which allopatric speciation can produce new species.
2. How can sympatric speciation occur if the individuals a population are not geographically
isolated?
3. Why is the speed of environmental change a critical factor in determining whether or not a
species can successfully adapt?
4. How do a population’s size and genetic diversity influence its ability to adapt to change?
5. Suppose Population A is small and the species has a short generation time, while Population B is
large and has a long generation time. Which will be faster to adapt? Which will be more resilient
in the face of environmental change?
6. How do a species’ range of tolerance for various conditions determine its fundamental niche?
7. Why don’t species always use their full fundamental niche?
8. What are some of the major differences between niche generalists and niche specialists?
9. How is global climate change expected to affect species distributions? How could scientists
determine the likely effect on a particular species?
10. The average lifespan of a species is just 1-10 million years. Why do you think there are such a
high rates of speciation and extinction constantly occurring throughout the history of life on
Earth?
11. If extinctions are generally a result of changes in the environment that a species is unable to
adapt to, what do you think this indicates about the 5 previous mass extinctions and the 6th one
occurring now?
12. What is The Nature Conservancy’s strategy for protecting rare species and areas with high
biodiversity? Do you think it will be successful?