APES Chapter 4, 5 and 8 Questions
Biodiversity and Evolution
All answers must be HANDWRITTEN and use complete sentences with AP level answers
Chapter 4
1. Explain why a population of organisms with low genetic diversity is vulnerable to
extinction in a changing environment.
2. Give two examples of ecosystems with high species diversity and describe the
characteristics that they both share.
3. Explain why an ecosystem with high biodiversity would be more stable and sustainable
than an ecosystem in a similar location with low biodiversity.
4. "Survival of the fittest" does not necessarily mean "survival of the strongest." Give an
example of a situation where the strongest individuals are not the ones that produce the
most offspring.
5. Identify three naturally occurring events that would cause a decrease in biodiversity. For
each event you identify, describe the type of biological diversity that is affected (species
diversity, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity, or functional diversity) and how it is
decreased.
6. Identify three specific examples of human activities that cause a decrease in biodiversity.
For each activity you identify, describe the type of biological diversity that is affected
(species diversity, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity, and functional diversity) and
how it is decreased.
7. Compare and contrast artificial selection with natural selection. Use a Venn diagram or
chart listing similarities and differences.
8. What characteristics indicate that Homo sapiens is a generalist species?
9. In what situation(s) would a specialist species have an advantage over a generalist
species?
10. Under what circumstances would a nonnative species NOT be a threat to native species?
11. Identify three indicator species and describe the characteristics of each that make it a
good biological indicator.
12. What characteristics of amphibians make them vulnerable to extinction?
Chapter 4 Resources
Labs/Activities
● "Clipbirds" bird beak adaptation lab: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/lessons/clipbirds/
● Evolution and the Nature of Science Institute activities: http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/
Online lectures
● YouTube: "Evolution" by QualiaSoup (10:48 minutes)
● YouTube: "biodiversity," "threats to biodiversity," "keystone species vs. indicator species,"
"natural selection" by MahaloBiology (very basic, 2 to 3 minutes each)
Media resources
● PBS Evolution video/DVD series, particularly Why Sex?
● Reading selections on biodiversity from The Diversity of Life by E. O. Wilson
● Reading selections on biodiversity from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Reading selections on evolution from The Panda's Thumb by Stephen J. Gould
Chapter 5
1. Compare and contrast the two extreme types of reproductive patterns used by species by
filling in the chart below in your notes.
Population 1 (e.g. insects) Population 2 (e.g. elephants)
Number of offspring at one time
Parental care
Likelihood of offspring survival
Time to maturation
Lifespan
2. Compare and contrast density-dependent and density-independent factors. Which type
was more likely to result in the population crash seen on the island of St. Paul in the
Bering Sea? Why?
3. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast primary and secondary ecological
succession. Provide examples of when each may occur within your diagram.
4. Explain the effects of facilitation, inhibition, and tolerance on ecological succession.
5. How are persistence and resilience each important to maintaining the stability of an
ecosystem? Must an ecosystem have both in order to remain stable?
6. It is often said that frequent yet small disturbances in an ecosystem will maintain greater
biodiversity than one or two major disturbances. Why?
7. In your own words, and using ideas from this chapter, explain how biodiversity promotes
sustainability.
Chapter 8
1. The core case study focuses on the coral reefs; identify and explain three ecological
reasons on why coral reefs are important.
2. Explain the role of the ocean in the biogeochemical cycle of Carbon.
3. Estuaries are some the most nutrient rich waters in the world. Identify and explain three
functional roles that estuaries are involved in for aquatic ecosystems. *Be sure to discuss how
estuaries play in role in output pollution control*
4. Figure 8-12 shows major human impacts on marine ecosystems and the coral reefs. Using support
from the text, which of these threats do you believe to be the most serious to 1) the marine
ecosystems and 2) the coral reefs.
5. Using figure 8-15 construct a food web containing 8 of the 10 species identified in the different
zones. Based upon this figure, which zone contains the greatest amount of biodiversity?
6. Give three reasons (one economic, one ecological and one environmental) on why flood plains
are important.