Evolution and Natural Selection Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What causes extinction of a species according to the content?

Increase in population size

Rapid climate changes exceeding adaptation rates (correct)

Predation from other species

Slow habitat changes

What is natural selection?

The survival and reproduction of the best-adapted organisms (correct)

The random mating of organisms

The alteration of DNA sequences

The movement of genes between populations

What is a mutation?

A change in the DNA sequence of a gene (correct)

A type of natural selection process

The frequency change of a gene due to mating

The movement of species between habitats

How does genetic drift affect a population?

It randomly changes gene frequencies over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which species evolve over time?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes gene flow?

Movement of genetic variation between populations Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the timeline of evolution?

Evolution occurs over thousands to millions of years. Signup and view all the answers

How do climate changes affect evolution?

They drive organisms to adapt over long periods. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of rapid global warming on species like polar bears?

Loss of habitat due to sea ice melting Signup and view all the answers

Which of these types of mutations can occur?

Beneficial, neutral, or harmful mutations Signup and view all the answers

What role do heritable characteristics play in evolution?

They determine which individuals reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

In what climate do trees with medium roots (M) thrive according to the example provided?

Intermediate precipitation climate Signup and view all the answers

What role does adaptation play in natural selection?

It enables the survival of well-adapted organisms Signup and view all the answers

What could lead to an increase in certain gene variants in a population?

Better adaptation to the environment Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of evolution by natural selection primarily explain?

The gradual changes in species due to environmental pressures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about species diversity in biomes is true?

Species diversity is dependent on the biome's conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What type of natural selection favors the norm while selecting against extremes?

Stabilizing selection Signup and view all the answers

Which adaptation allows an individual to survive by affecting its physical features over time?

Structural adaptation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of natural selection targets the extremes while favoring intermediate forms?

Stabilizing selection Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the total number of genes and traits among individuals of a population?

Genetic diversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a behavioral adaptation that can occur rapidly?

Migration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following populations is more likely to adapt effectively to environmental changes?

A population with high genetic diversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of these adaptations is primarily learned rather than instinctive?

Mating dances/calls Signup and view all the answers

How many identified species are estimated to exist on Earth, alongside the potentially undiscovered species?

1.8 million identified and millions undiscovered Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biomes and Biodiversity

Biomes are large communities defined by climate, including temperature and precipitation patterns. These patterns also shape the organisms and vegetation adapted to live in those areas.
Biomes are a large geographic area where ecosystems are similar.
Objectives for the lecture include identifying abiotic and biotic components, understanding factors that affect life within a biome, recognizing biodiversity within biomes and their resilience to change, and identifying threats to Earth's biomes.

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical components of the environment, crucial for life.
Inorganic compounds, lacking carbon-hydrogen bonds, are key abiotic components.
Abiotic factors impact organism survival, growth, reproduction, and influence the types and numbers of species that thrive in a biome.
Examples include air (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen), water, sunlight, soil minerals, and humidity.

Biotic Factors

Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, composed of carbon-hydrogen compounds.
Biotic factors have both direct and indirect impacts on a biome, affecting interactions within the ecosystem (e.g., predation, food chains, waste cycles, disease).
Examples include viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, animals, insects, and parasites.
Organic molecules like DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates are also considered biotic components.

Hierarchy of Life on Earth

Organism: A single living individual.
Population: Organisms of the same species that can breed and produce offspring.
Community: Many different species interacting.
Ecosystem: A community of organisms interacting with their abiotic components.
Biome: Extensive ecosystems that occupy large geographic regions.

What is a Biome?

Biomes are defined by global climate patterns.
Long-term temperature and precipitation patterns define the types of organisms found in each biome.

What is Climate?

Climate is long-term patterns of weather, occurring over decades or centuries.
Temperature and precipitation are the main controlling factors.

Major Factors Controlling Climate

Temperature - Location determines if a biome is hot, warm, or cold.
Precipitation - Amount of water in an area.
Tilt of Earth on its axis - Causes seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter).
Sun - Primary energy source for Earth's climate.
Latitude - Distance from the equator affects temperature.
Elevation - Higher altitudes are typically colder.
Mountain ranges/landforms - Impact how precipitation, moisture, temperature and other elements are affected.
Ocean currents - Influence temperatures along coastlines.
Winds - Direct moving elements that can influence how weather and temperature is disbursed.
Vegetation - Plants absorb moisture from the air affecting the climate.
Human activity - Deforestation, burning fossil fuels and urbanization can have an influence.

Climograph

A climograph is a graph that displays monthly average temperature and precipitation data for a location.
Climographs are an easy way to visualize the location's climate.

Earth's 4 Seasons

Earth's tilt on its axis causes seasons as the sun's direct rays shift throughout the year.
March/September = equal sunlight on both hemispheres.
June = Direct sunlight on Northern Hemisphere
December = Direct sunlight on Southern Hemisphere

Biome Types

A global map displays a variety of biomes (ice sheet and polar desert, tundra, taiga, temperate broadleaf forest, etc.)
Biomes are categorized based on their dominant vegetation types.

Earth's Biomes

The exact number of biomes is debatable, dependent on classification methods used.
Differences in climate create distinct biome characteristics.
Transition zones (ecotones) exist between biomes, where characteristics are shared.
Climate change causes biome shifts

Three Broad Categories of Biomes

Marine
Freshwater
Terrestrial

Climate

Temperature and precipitation define Earth's biomes.
Temperature variations occur with latitude and altitude.
Temperature in general decreases with increased altitude.

Whittaker's Biome-Types

Whittaker's biome-types are categorized by climate and vegetation patterns.
Biomes such as tropical rainforests are hot and wet, while tundras are cold and dry.

Vegetation in Biomes

Vegetation type is based on climate, precipitation, latitude, altitude, animal species, etc.
Each biome requires understanding species interactions and nutrient needs within.
Organisms are adapted to live within temperatures of a particular range.

Forces of Evolution

Mutation: DNA sequence changes.
Gene Flow: Movement of genetic variation between populations.
Genetic Drift: Change in gene frequency due to random mating.
Natural Selection: Favors better-adapted organisms, leading to greater reproduction amongst those with traits suited to the prevailing conditions.

Evolution by Natural Selection

Natural selection is a slow process occurring over thousands to millions of years.
Climate change drives the evolution of a species.
Extinction occurs when climate changes to a degree impossible for organisms to adapt to.

Natural Selection Types

Stabilizing selection: Favors the norm, selects against extremes.
Directional selection: Continuously favors an extreme form.
Disruptive selection: Favors two extremes, selects against the intermediate form.

Adaptation

Adaptation = characteristic allowing an organism to survive and reproduce in a specific biome.
Populations within a biome often have shared adaptations.
Adaptations may involve physical changes or behavior changes.

Physical Adaptations

These adapt to physical features or traits such as shape, color, coverings, movement, and size.
Adaptations depend on the changing environment in the biome.
Examples: webbed feet, strong beaks, camouflage, and scales.

Behavioral Adaptations

Adapt to activities performed for survival and reproduction, dependent on the environment in the biome.
Adapting to activities such as defense mechanisms, migration, hibernation, and mating dances/calls.
Instincts or learned behavior can help drive adaptation.

Genetic Diversity

Genetic diversity is important for long-term adaptation and growth of populations.
Greater diversity allows for greater resilience to future changes.

Biodiversity, Hotspots and ecosystem services

Biodiversity: The variety of life on Earth.
Biodiversity hotspot: Areas with high biodiversity but also high endangerment of species.
Ecosystem services: Essential natural processes that support human life.
Managed ecosystems: Include farms, croplands, rangelands, aquaculture, etc., which also require maintenance of diversity.
Human activities affect both natural ecosystems and their service provisions.
Human health: Many medicines have origins in natural substances.
Agriculture: Wild species gene adaptation and diversity contributes to future domestic species' food supply.

Major Threats to Biodiversity

Habitat loss.
Overharvesting of natural resources.
Pollution.
Invasive species.
Climate change.
Human population growth.
Other human activities such as urbanization, logging, and agriculture.

21st Century Ecological Sensitivity

Degree to which ecosystems can adapt to future climate change.
Human impact and future climate change can have dramatic impacts.

Extinction Rates

Current extinction rates are significantly higher than the background rate.
Human actions contribute to higher rates of extinction.

How can we protect and preserve biodiversity?

Pass legislation and treaties.
Restore damaged environments.
Set aside protected areas.
Regulate human activity in these areas.
Protect individual species through captive breeding programs.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the principles of evolution, natural selection, and genetic concepts. This quiz covers key topics like extinction causes, mutation types, and the effects of climate change on species. Dive into the mechanisms that drive evolution and assess your understanding of these essential biological concepts.