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Questions and Answers
What percentage of the earth is covered by the hydrosphere?
What percentage of the earth is covered by the hydrosphere?
What does the biosphere refer to?
What does the biosphere refer to?
What is the primary function of the atmosphere?
What is the primary function of the atmosphere?
Where is the first form of life believed to have originated?
Where is the first form of life believed to have originated?
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What is the lithosphere primarily composed of?
What is the lithosphere primarily composed of?
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What is speciation defined by?
What is speciation defined by?
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What causes individuals to stop mating with each other?
What causes individuals to stop mating with each other?
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What is allopatric speciation based on?
What is allopatric speciation based on?
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What plays a role in natural selection in allopatric speciation?
What plays a role in natural selection in allopatric speciation?
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What is sympatric speciation based on?
What is sympatric speciation based on?
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Study Notes
Earth's Spheres
- 71% of the Earth is covered by the hydrosphere, which includes all the planet's water.
Biosphere
- The biosphere refers to the zone of life on Earth, encompassing all living organisms and their environments.
Atmosphere
- The primary function of the atmosphere is to protect the planet from harmful solar and cosmic radiation, and to regulate the Earth's climate.
Origin of Life
- The first form of life is believed to have originated in the oceans, approximately 3.5-4.5 billion years ago.
Lithosphere
- The lithosphere is primarily composed of rocks and minerals, making up the outermost solid layer of the planet.
Speciation
- Speciation is defined as the process of a new species emerging from an existing one, often resulting in reproductive isolation.
Reproductive Isolation
- Individuals stop mating with each other due to reproductive isolation, which can lead to the formation of new species.
Allopatric Speciation
- Allopatric speciation is based on geographic isolation, where a physical barrier separates a population, leading to genetic divergence and eventually, the formation of a new species.
- The process of allopatric speciation is influenced by factors such as mountain-building, continental drift, and climate change, which can lead to the formation of barriers that isolate populations.
Sympatric Speciation
- Sympatric speciation is based on the emergence of new species within the same geographic area, often due to adaptations to different ecological niches.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the formation of the universe, earth, and life, as well as the characteristics and building blocks of life with this quiz. Explore the driver for biodiversity and understand the concept of biosphere. This quiz will help you recap last week's lesson and solidify your understanding of these fundamental concepts.