Exam 4: Biodiversity and Evolution

Fossils tell us about the long history of life on the earth and so far, our fossil record probably represents ____ of all species that have ever lived.

Most of what we know about the history of life on the earth comes from fossils.

Which of the following is another name for a nonnative species?

New species arise as the result of two processes, geographic and reproductive isolation. Explain how these processes work together to produce new species.

The world's entire body of discovered fossils is called the ____________________.

Briefly explain the interaction between mutations, "survival of the fittest," and adaptation or adaptive traits.

Endemic species are particularly vulnerable to extinction.

The fact that tectonic plates drift influences evolution by ____.

Under rapidly changing environmental conditions it is better to be a specialist species.

Why do species such as humans take a much longer time (thousands to millions of years)to adapt through natural selection than species such as bacteria and insects?

Any heritable trait that improves the ability of an organism to survive and to reproduce at a higher rate than other individuals in a population are able to do under prevailing environmental conditions is a(n)____________________.

The earth has sustained life for ____ years.

Which of the following is true ?

Most mutations occur because of exposure to artificial external agents, such as radiation.

____________________ diversity is the most obvious component of biodiversity.

Which of the following would not be considered a generalist species?

For natural selection to occur, an adaptive trait ____.

A species with a broad niche is considered a(n)____.

What are amphibians?

Under certain circumstances, natural selection can lead to an entirely new species. a process called ____.