Ch. 4 Study Guide: Biodiversity

Name________________________________________ Period_____ Date__________


AP Enviro
nmental Science: Ch.4 Study

Guide

(20 points)

Evolution and Biodiversity

Read Ch.4
pages 82
-
98

Read Supplement 8


Define
/explain

the following:

biological evolution






Charles Darwin






Alfred Russell Wallace




natural selection







chemical evolution





fossils




mutations








fitness







tectonic plates




ecological niche






fundamental niche





realized niche




generalist species






specialist

species





speciation




geographic isolation






reproductive isolation





extinction




endemic species







background extinction





mass extinction




mass depletion





artificial selection





coevolution




genetic engineering






recombinant

DNA





transgenic organisms




biodiversity




Answer the following:

1.

What are the three possibilities that are available to a species when faced
with a change in environmental conditions?





2.

Explain how the movement of tectonic plates can affect the evolution of a
species.














3.

What is coevolution? Provide an example.













4.

Explain how a warming climate could affect the evolution of a species of
wildflowers living near the top of the highest peaks of the Smoky Mountains
in North Carolina.









5.

Evolutionary scientists contend that humans have survived and thrived
because w
e have certain traits that increase our survival chances. We lack
exceptional strength, speed, and agility. We do not have claws or fangs, and
we lack a protective shell or body armor. Our senses are mostly
unremarkable (except perhaps sight). What traits
have allowed us to
flourish?








6.

How would you respond to a statement that because extinction is a natural
process, we should not worry about biodiversity
?