Keystone species are organisms that other species in the ecosystem depend upon and whose disappearance would devastate their biological communities. Learn how to define keystone species and review examples of why they are vital to their ecosystems. Definition of a Keystone Species Before the 1800s,...
Why are sometimes sugars referred to by their functional groups? What is intercellular cytoplasmic communication? What is a nucleotide in biology? What is the difference between a carrier and a channel protein? Describe the mechanism of action of...
Outside of removal experiments we described previously, natural conditions are driving keystone species close to extinction in certain parts of the world. This has led to significant changes in other interconnected populations. The sea otter is a perfect example. As a keystone predator in the North...
Why is classification of living organisms necessary to understanding biology? What is the importance of index fossils? What is the importance of keystone species? What is the importance of fossils to historical geology? Why are fossils important?
Antarctic Krill are a keystone species in the Southern Ocean providing a linkage between the planktonic primary producers and the higher trophic levels such as fish, whales, seals and penguins. The composition of marine plankton populations is altering with climate change. However, the full implica...
What does the term "biodiversity" refer to in the field of biology? a. Total number of species on earth. b. Genetic variation that exists within populations all of the earth's species. c. Total number of Earth's ecosystems. d. All of the above are correct What are examples of non li...
2010). In response to pressures on wild animals and their habitats, a nature and wildlife protection movement has grown over the last two centuries. Often this protection has taken the form of active wildlife management, where some species are controlled as part of a policy to promote t...
uses additives/flavors that “trick” our biology into thinking we are eating something good, yet as we continue to eat the item with little to no nutrition, we simply are not satisfied (satiety). This trick is great for the processed “food” industry, but not so good for our biology....
Sea urchins are small, spiny creatures that, while they sometimes look beautiful, can inflict a sharp sting if touched. Because the species has endured so long in the earth's oceans – 500 million years or so – the sea urchin is studied to explore development processes in living organisms,...
What does it mean for a species to be a keystone species? Provide an example. What is the difference between an extinct species and an extant species? Determine three ways that species within a genus are often related to one another. The taxonomic key is away in which scientists can underst...