Textbook Question
Which cause of extinction results from humans' direct use of a species?
a. Overexploitation
b. Habitat fragmentation
c. Pollution
d. Introduction of competitors or predators
e. Global warming
Ch. 16 - Conserving Biodiversity
Belk, Maier6th EditionBiology: Science for LifeISBN: 9780135214084
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Can Science Cure the Common Cold?12
- Ch. 2 - Science Fiction, Bad Science, and Pseudoscience12
- Ch. 3 - Is It Possible to Supplement Your Way to Better Performance and Health?10
- Ch. 4 - Body Weight and Health10
- Ch. 5 - Life in the Greenhouse10
- Ch. 6 - Cancer10
- Ch. 7 - Fertility10
- Ch. 8 - Does Testing Save Lives?10
- Ch. 9 - Biology of Wrongful Convictions10
- Ch. 10 - Genetically Modified Organisms10
- Ch. 11 - Where Did We Come From?13
- Ch. 12 - An Evolving Enemy8
- Ch. 13 - Understanding Race11
- Ch. 14 - The Greatest Species on Earth?8
- Ch. 15 - Is the Human Population Too Large?10
- Ch. 16 - Conserving Biodiversity12
- Ch. 17 - The Human Footprint10
Belk, Maier6th EditionBiology: Science for LifeISBN: 9780135214084Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 16, Problem 9
The risks faced by small populations include
a. Erosion of genetic variability through genetic drift
b. Decreased fitness of individuals as a result of inbreeding
c. Increased risk of experiencing natural disasters
d. A and B are correct
e. A, B, and C are correct
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of small populations in biology. Small populations are groups of organisms with limited numbers, which can lead to unique challenges compared to larger populations.
Step 2: Review the concept of genetic drift. Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population, which can lead to a loss of genetic variability over time, especially in small populations.
Step 3: Explore the effects of inbreeding. Inbreeding occurs when closely related individuals reproduce, which can increase the likelihood of harmful recessive traits being expressed and decrease the overall fitness of individuals in the population.
Step 4: Consider the impact of natural disasters. Small populations are more vulnerable to extinction due to natural disasters because their limited numbers make it harder to recover from such events.
Step 5: Analyze the options provided in the problem. Determine whether each risk (genetic drift, inbreeding, and natural disasters) applies to small populations and whether the correct answer includes all three risks or a subset of them.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Genetic Drift
Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population, particularly affecting small populations. This randomness can lead to the loss of genetic diversity over time, making populations more vulnerable to environmental changes and reducing their ability to adapt.
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Genetic Drift
Inbreeding Depression
Inbreeding depression occurs when closely related individuals breed, leading to a higher probability of offspring inheriting harmful genetic traits. This can result in decreased fitness, lower reproductive success, and increased susceptibility to diseases, which are particularly detrimental in small populations where genetic diversity is already limited.
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07:31Inbreeding and Sexual Selection
Population Vulnerability
Small populations are inherently more vulnerable to extinction due to their limited genetic diversity, which can hinder adaptability to environmental changes. Additionally, they face higher risks from stochastic events, such as natural disasters, which can disproportionately impact their survival and reproductive success compared to larger, more genetically diverse populations.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
The web of life refers to the
a. Evolutionary relationships among living organisms
b. Connections between species in an ecosystem
c. Complicated nature of genetic variability
d. Flow of information from parent to child
e. Predatory effect of humans on the rest of the natural world
Textbook Question
Which of the following is an example of a mutualistic relationship?
a. Moles catching and eating earthworms from the moles' underground tunnels
b. Cattails and reed canary grass growing together in wetland soils
c. Cleaner fish removing and eating parasites from the teeth of sharks
d. Colorado potato beetles consuming potato plant leaves
e. More than one of the above
Textbook Question
One advantage of preserving more than one population of an endangered species at more than one location is
a. A lower risk of extinction of the entire species if a catastrophe strikes one location
b. Higher levels of inbreeding in each population
c. Higher rates of genetic drift in each population
d. Lower numbers of heterozygotes in each population
e. Higher rates of habitat fragmentation in the different locations
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Textbook Question
There are fewer lions in Africa's Serengeti than there are zebras. This is principally because
a. Zebras tend to drive off lions
b. Lions compete directly with cheetahs, whereas zebras do not have any competitors
c. Zebras have mutualists that increase their population, whereas lions do not
d. There is less energy available in zebras to support the lion population than there is in grass to support the zebras
e. Zebras are a keystone species, whereas lions are not
Textbook Question
Most of the nutrients available for plant growth in an ecosystem are
a. Deposited in rain
b. Made available through the recycling of decomposers
c. Maintained within that ecosystem over time
d. B and C are correct
e. A, B, and C are correct