95 Questions
What is the key criterion that defines a species?
A group of individuals that can reproduce in nature and produce fertile offspring
What is the term for the process of forming a new species?
Speciation
What is the main difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?
The presence or absence of a physical barrier
What can happen to an isolated population that leads to speciation?
It evolves into a new species
What is the role of reinforcement in speciation?
It strengthens the barriers that prevent mating between populations
What is the basis of sexual selection in speciation?
The choices individuals make to mate based on traits
What is the result of hybrid organisms being selected against in a population?
They become more susceptible to predation
What can happen if a species becomes separated geographically?
The populations may evolve to find different traits favorable
What is the outcome of allopatric speciation?
The formation of a new species
What is the key difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation in terms of population isolation?
The presence or absence of a physical barrier
What is the primary focus of ecology?
The study of natural systems and living organisms
What level of ecology focuses on the traits of individual organisms and their contribution to the species' life history?
Organismal ecology
What is the term for the unique and specific role an organism plays in its ecosystem?
Niche
What type of factors typically affect population density in an ecosystem?
Both density-dependent and density-independent factors
What is the primary difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain shows only one chain of interactions, while a food web shows multiple chains
What is the term for the flow of energy from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?
Trophic cascade
Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor?
Weather
What is the term for the first level of consumers in a food chain or web?
Primary consumers
What is the term for the place suitable for a particular organism to live?
Habitat
What is the term for the study of all living organisms on Earth and their impact on the planet?
Biosphere ecology
What percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
10%
What is biotic potential?
The rate at which a species reproduces under ideal conditions
What limits the growth of a population?
Environmental resistance
What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
The maximum number of organisms an environment can support
What can reduce the maximum carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
Limiting factors
What type of symbiosis is beneficial to one species but not the other?
Parasitism
What is the study of the evolutionary development of animal behavior?
Behavioral ecology
Why do animals defend a territory?
Due to environmental pressure and limited resources
What is an example of an evolved behavior in response to environmental pressure?
Territoriality
What is the term for the community of animals, plants, and other organisms that live in the same area?
Ecosystem
What is the primary reason why certain traits are attractive in a specific environment?
They are beneficial for the survival of the species
Which of the following behaviors is an example of kin selection?
Donating a kidney to a family member
What is the primary benefit of social child raising in species like humans?
Strongest chance at survival
What is alpha diversity a measure of?
The number of species in an ecosystem
What is the primary goal of researchers studying genetic biodiversity?
To study the variation in genetic material within an ecosystem
What is the primary characteristic of a stable ecosystem?
High diversity and an abundance of species
What is the primary cause of biodiversity loss?
A combination of human activities
What is the primary function of an ecosystem?
To provide a habitat for living organisms
What is the term for the disturbance of an ecosystem due to natural causes?
Natural disturbance
What is the primary benefit of altruism in social groups?
Increased survival and reproductive rates
What is the primary mechanism that leads to allopatric speciation?
Geographical isolation
What occurs when there is no physical separation in the population, but selective pressures cause a divide between organisms?
Sympatric speciation
What is the primary focus of ecology?
The study of life and interactions between organisms and their environment
What is the outcome when a population becomes reproductively isolated from its parent population?
Formation of a new species
What is the basis of reinforcement in speciation?
Hybrid sterility
What is the term for the study of all living organisms on Earth and their impact on the planet?
Biosphere ecology
What level of ecology focuses on traits of individual organisms and their contribution to the species' life history?
Organismal ecology
What can occur if an isolated population has new environmental conditions and new traits emerge?
Formation of a new species
What is the term for the place suitable for a particular organism to live?
Habitat
What is the primary difference between sympatric and allopatric speciation?
Presence or absence of geographical barriers
What is the result of reinforcement in a population?
Speciation
What is the unique and specific role an organism plays in its ecosystem?
Niche
What type of factors typically affect population density in an ecosystem?
Density-dependent factors
What is the primary mechanism that leads to sympathy speciation?
Selective pressures
What is the primary difference between a food chain and a food web?
Food chains only show one single chain of interactions between organisms
What is the primary difference between sexual selection and reinforcement in speciation?
Type of selective pressures
What can occur when hybrid organisms are selected against in a population?
Reduction of genetic variation
What is the term for the complex interconnected interactions between all food chains within an ecosystem?
Food web
What is the term for the flow of energy from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?
Energy flow
What is the primary function of an ecosystem?
To sustain life
What is the primary reason why certain traits are more likely to be selected in a specific environment?
Because they are most beneficial for survival and reproduction
What is the primary benefit of social child raising in species like humans?
It represents the strongest chance at survival
What is biodiversity a measurement of?
The variation within living systems
What is the primary difference between beta diversity and gamma diversity?
Beta diversity measures the variation in species within an ecosystem, while gamma diversity measures the total number of species across all ecosystems
What is the result of a stable ecosystem with high diversity?
It can rebound quicker and experience less damage from negative events
What is the primary focus of researchers studying genetic biodiversity?
The variation in genetic material within an ecosystem
What is the primary benefit of altruism in social groups?
It increases the survival and reproductive rates of individuals and groups
What is the primary cause of the decline of biodiversity?
A combination of human activities such as deforestation, fishing, drainage of wetlands, and pollution
What is the outcome of a natural disturbance in an ecosystem?
It results in an unbalanced ecosystem
What is kin selection an example of?
Donating a kidney to a family member
What percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?
10%
What determines the carrying capacity of a species in an ecosystem?
Environmental resistance
What is the result of a population exceeding its carrying capacity?
Resources become severely limited
What is the term for the study of the evolutionary development of animal behavior?
Behavioral ecology
What is an example of an evolved behavior in response to environmental pressure?
Territoriality
What is the primary reason why species do not normally meet their full biotic potential?
Limited resources
What is the term for the maximum number of living organisms that an environment can support?
Carrying capacity
What is the primary factor that limits the growth of a population?
Environmental resistance
What is an example of a limiting factor that can reduce the maximum carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
Availability of food and water
What is the term for the number of individual species in an average population size that is sustainable?
Carrying capacity
What is the author's main point in the passage about ninjas and pirates?
Ninjas are superior to pirates.
What is the topic of the passage about games?
The value of games in children's development.
What is the author's point of view about children's games?
Games are useful for children's development.
What is the purpose of the evidence or proof in an argument?
To provide supporting reasons for the main argument.
What is the topic of a passage about?
What the passage is about
What is the function of the author's reasons in the passage about ninjas and pirates?
To provide evidence for the main argument.
What is the relationship between the topic and the argument in a passage?
The topic is the general subject, while the argument is the author's point of view.
What is the argument of a passage?
The author's point of view about the topic
What is the role of the author's main point in an argument?
To express the author's opinion on the topic.
What do passages on the same topic have in common?
The same topic
What is the purpose of identifying the author's argument and evidence in a passage?
To identify the author's main point and supporting reasons.
What is a characteristic of an argument in a passage?
It's always debatable
What can be said about the three passages about global warming?
They all have the same topic
What is the main point of the passage 'Pirates vs. Ninjas'?
The question of which is cooler has been debated for ages
Why is it important to distinguish between the topic and the argument of a passage?
To become a better reader and answer questions on standardized tests
Study Notes
Understanding Topic and Argument
- The topic of a passage is what the passage is about
- The argument of a passage is the author's point of view about the topic
- The argument is also known as the main claim or thesis
- The argument is something debatable, and if it's not debatable, it's not an argument
- Passages on the same topic can make different arguments
Examples of Topic and Argument
- Example 1: Pirates vs. Ninjas passage
- Topic: competition for cool points between pirates and ninjas
- Argument: ninjas are cooler than pirates
- Example 2: The Value of Games passage
- Topic: games
- Argument: games are a valuable way to spend time and are not just a waste of time
Identifying Argument and Evidence
- Finding the argument of a passage is useful, but many test questions ask for more
- Test questions may ask for the kinds of information or evidence the author brings up in support of the argument
- The support or evidence is part of the argument, and authors typically provide reasons to prove their point
- To identify the evidence or proof, complete the sentence: "In [author's discussion of topic], the author argues that [argument] because [evidence]"
Learn about the fundamental concept of species and speciation in biology. Discover the two types of speciation: allopatric and sympatric speciation, and how they occur through geographical changes and reproductive isolation.
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