AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Extinction occurs when species are diminished because of environmental forces such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, natural disaster, overexploitation by humans, and pollution, or because of evolutionary changes in their members (genetic inbreeding, poor reproduction, decline in population numbers).

Detailed explanation-2: -The extinction of any species is an irreversible loss of part of the biological richness of the Earth. Extinction can be a natural occurrence caused by an unpredictable catastrophe, chronic environmental stress, or ecological interactions such as competition, disease, or predation.

Detailed explanation-3: -There are two main types of extinction: Mass extinction and background extinction.

Detailed explanation-4: -The best way to help endangered species is to protect the environments where they live. Give your time to nature by visiting or volunteering at a local wildlife refuge. Such organizations always need donations and volunteers as they often lack adequate funding. Simply visiting a wildlife foundation can help.

Detailed explanation-5: -If one species in the food web ceases to exist, one or more members in the rest of the chain could cease to exist too. A plant or animal doesn’t even have to become extinct to affect one of its predators. The harelip sucker fish, for example, used to eat snails in the 19th century.