Natural Science Exam 3 ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Background extinction rate - CORRECT ANSWER - normal rate of extinction; usually
low and steady
Bioaccumulation - CORRECT ANSWER - accumulation of chemicals in the environment
in the tissues of organisms
Biological extinction - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when a species no longer exists
anywhere on Earth
Biomagnification - CORRECT ANSWER - increase of long-lasting chemicals in the
tissues of organisms at successively higher trophic levels
Endangered species - CORRECT ANSWER - has so few individuals that species could
soon become extinct
Habitat fragmentation - CORRECT ANSWER - when large intact area of habitat is split
into smaller, isolated patches
HIPPCO - CORRECT ANSWER - ecosystem threats and extinction causes (H = habitat
destruction, degradation and fragmentation; I = Invasive species; P = population growth and
resulting increased use of resources; P = pollution; C = climate change; O = overexploitation)
Invasive species - CORRECT ANSWER - nonnative species that negatively affects species
and the environment where it was introduced to
Mass extinction - CORRECT ANSWER - multiple species become extinct in a short time
period
, Threatened species - CORRECT ANSWER - has enough to survive in short term but is
declining and likely to become endangered in the future
Discuss why the extinction of species might matter to human society - CORRECT
ANSWER - · Extinction rates have increased by a factor of 1000
· Ecosystem services and resources
List the characteristics that make species vulnerable to extinction and explain in detail how each
characteristic makes extinctions more likely - CORRECT ANSWER - · K-selected species
- take longer to reproduce and raise offspring
· Specialists - rely on certain factors in their environment
· Rare - trouble finding mates, less genetic diversity
· Narrow distribution - if something happens to their habitat, they don't have a lot of other
options to move to.
· Fixed migratory patterns
· Commercially valuable - overexploitation; exotic pet market, products (furs, ivory, etc)
Biodiversity hotspot - CORRECT ANSWER - geographic areas that are unusually rich in
biodiversity and threatened by human activities
Buffer zone - CORRECT ANSWER - protected areas around national parks. The inner
core is completely protected, locals can sustainably extract resources from buffer zones, and it is
most effective when there is a partnership between the locals and conservation goals of the
reserve
Deforestation - CORRECT ANSWER - clearing or removing of forests, often to make
more land available or gather resources
Migratory patterns - CORRECT ANSWER - the regular (often seasonal) movement of
animals from one region to another
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Background extinction rate - CORRECT ANSWER - normal rate of extinction; usually
low and steady
Bioaccumulation - CORRECT ANSWER - accumulation of chemicals in the environment
in the tissues of organisms
Biological extinction - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when a species no longer exists
anywhere on Earth
Biomagnification - CORRECT ANSWER - increase of long-lasting chemicals in the
tissues of organisms at successively higher trophic levels
Endangered species - CORRECT ANSWER - has so few individuals that species could
soon become extinct
Habitat fragmentation - CORRECT ANSWER - when large intact area of habitat is split
into smaller, isolated patches
HIPPCO - CORRECT ANSWER - ecosystem threats and extinction causes (H = habitat
destruction, degradation and fragmentation; I = Invasive species; P = population growth and
resulting increased use of resources; P = pollution; C = climate change; O = overexploitation)
Invasive species - CORRECT ANSWER - nonnative species that negatively affects species
and the environment where it was introduced to
Mass extinction - CORRECT ANSWER - multiple species become extinct in a short time
period
, Threatened species - CORRECT ANSWER - has enough to survive in short term but is
declining and likely to become endangered in the future
Discuss why the extinction of species might matter to human society - CORRECT
ANSWER - · Extinction rates have increased by a factor of 1000
· Ecosystem services and resources
List the characteristics that make species vulnerable to extinction and explain in detail how each
characteristic makes extinctions more likely - CORRECT ANSWER - · K-selected species
- take longer to reproduce and raise offspring
· Specialists - rely on certain factors in their environment
· Rare - trouble finding mates, less genetic diversity
· Narrow distribution - if something happens to their habitat, they don't have a lot of other
options to move to.
· Fixed migratory patterns
· Commercially valuable - overexploitation; exotic pet market, products (furs, ivory, etc)
Biodiversity hotspot - CORRECT ANSWER - geographic areas that are unusually rich in
biodiversity and threatened by human activities
Buffer zone - CORRECT ANSWER - protected areas around national parks. The inner
core is completely protected, locals can sustainably extract resources from buffer zones, and it is
most effective when there is a partnership between the locals and conservation goals of the
reserve
Deforestation - CORRECT ANSWER - clearing or removing of forests, often to make
more land available or gather resources
Migratory patterns - CORRECT ANSWER - the regular (often seasonal) movement of
animals from one region to another
