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Chapter 56
Biodiversity Spring 2026- Exam 4
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the four main threats to biodiversity? | Habitat destruction, introduced species, overexploitation, and climate change |
| Why is habitat destruction a major threat to biodiversity? | It removes or fragments living spaces, reducing resources and isolating populations |
| What are introduced species? | Non-native species that can outcompete, prey on, or bring disease to native species |
| What is overexploitation? | Excessive use of species (e.g., hunting, fishing) faster than they can reproduce |
| How does climate change threaten biodiversity? | It alters habitats, temperature, and ecosystems faster than many species can adapt |
| Why are small populations at greater risk of extinction? | They have less genetic diversity, are more affected by random events, and face inbreeding |
| What is inbreeding? | Mating between closely related individuals |
| Why is inbreeding harmful? | It increases the chance of harmful genetic traits and reduces overall fitness |
| What is ocean acidification? | The decrease in ocean pH due to absorption of excess atmospheric CO₂ |
| How does ocean acidification affect organisms? | It harms shell-forming organisms and disrupts marine ecosystems |
| What is biodiversity? | The variety of life at all levels: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity |
| What is genetic diversity? | Variation of genes within a population |
| What is species diversity? | The number and variety of species in an area |
| What is ecosystem diversity? | The variety of ecosystems in a region |
| What are ecosystem services? | Benefits humans get from ecosystems (e.g., clean air, water, pollination) |
| What is habitat fragmentation? | Breaking large habitats into smaller, isolated patches |
| What is minimum viable population (MVP) | The smallest population size needed for a species to survive long-term. |
| What is effective population size? | The number of individuals contributing genes to the next generation |
| What is biomagnification? | The increase in concentration of toxins as they move up the food chain |
| Why is biodiversity important | It supports ecosystem stability, human resources, ethical responsibility, and economic value |