Species at Risk and Extinction

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What is the primary consequence of two species occupying the same ecological niche in the same place at the same time?

Formation of a new species through hybridization

Immediate extinction of one of the species

One species evolves into a slightly different niche (correct)

Coexistence of the species without any adaptations

Which type of symbiotic relationship involves one organism benefiting while the other is not affected?

Predation

Mutualism

Parasitism

Commensalism (correct)

What is the term for the process by which a species evolves to occupy a slightly different niche in order to coexist with another species?

Habitat formation

Species divergence

Ecological adaptation

Niche specialization (correct)

What is the term for the interaction between two organisms where one hunts and the other is attacked?

Predation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unique role that a species plays in its ecosystem, which has a disproportionate impact on the environment and other species?

Keystone species Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the sudden extinction of a species in a habitat?

Toxic pollution rendering the habitat unlivable Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of mutualism in many cases?

Both species are Obligate and can exist without the other Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of coevolution between grazing animals and grass species?

Development of new ecological interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the complex interrelationships between a community and the physical environment?

Ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a keystone species?

Ecological interactions with multiple species Signup and view all the answers

Which type of consumer eats both plants and animals?

Omnivores Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of predation for the predator?

Receipt of food and energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the step in the flow of energy through an ecosystem?

Trophic level Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a species' gradual loss of competition for food?

Gradual extinction of the species Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the assemblage of all interacting species of organisms in an area?

Community Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the excess number of individuals in a species, resulting in a shortage of specific resources?

Production of more offspring than needed to replace the parents Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of a species dividing into two isolated subpopulations?

Speciation, resulting in two new species Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of species that have gone extinct on Earth?

98-99% Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the concept that two or more species can reciprocally influence the evolutionary direction of the other?

Coevolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of natural selection acting on a species over time?

The elimination of unfavorable variations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?

To maintain the diversity of the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the total of all the ways an organism affects its environment and interacts with other organisms?

The total interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a population and a species?

A population is a group of individuals found within a specific geographic region, while a species is a group of populations that can interbreed Signup and view all the answers

What is the process that determines which individuals within a species will reproduce and pass their genes to the next generation?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the specific role and position that an organism occupies within its environment?

Ecological niche Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of energy is lost as heat when moving from one trophic level to the next?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What is used as a proxy to measure energy contained in each trophic level?

Biomass Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a series of organisms occupying different trophic levels through which energy passes?

Food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an organism's habitat?

To influence the organism's interaction with its surroundings Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a food web?

A single predator has multiple prey species Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of an organism that has a narrow range of tolerance?

It is more susceptible to limiting factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the byproduct of photosynthesis in plants?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which decomposers recycle naturally occurring organic molecules?

Decay Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the nonliving things that influence an organism?

Abiotic factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional role of an organism in its surroundings?

Niche Signup and view all the answers

What is the final stage of the carbon cycle in which CO2 and water are released back into the atmosphere?

Respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that restricts species success?

Limiting factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the cycling of molecules and atoms between living and non-living portions of an ecosystem?

Biogeochemical cycles Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?

Consumption Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the series of processes by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere and living organisms?

Carbon cycle Signup and view all the answers