Natural Hazards
Definition of a natural hazard
A natural hazard is a natural event that causes significant damage or risk to life, property, and the environment. Example: Earthquake.
What is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
What is protein synthesis?
Proteins perform essential functions such as catalyzing reactions, providing structure, and facilitating communication in cells.
Definition of genetic variation
Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals in a population.
Define natural selection
A heritable trait is a characteristic that can be passed from parents to offspring through genes.
Example of a natural hazard
Hurricanes can lead to flooding, erosion, and destruction of habitats, negatively impacting coastal ecosystems.
Example of a physical adaptation
Example of a behavioral adaptation: Migration patterns in birds during seasonal changes
Function of proteins in the body
DNA contains genes that provide the instructions for assembling amino acids into proteins.
Importance of genetic variation
Genetic variation is important for populations because it enhances adaptability and resilience to environmental changes.
What is a heritable trait?
Advantageous traits increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction, leading to a higher frequency of those traits in the population.
Impact of hurricanes on coastal ecosystems
Wildfires can clear vegetation, disrupt habitats, and alter species composition in forests, affecting biodiversity.
Behavioral adaptations in animals
Physical adaptations assist survival by providing camouflage, insulation, or specialized feeding structures.
Role of DNA in protein synthesis
Steps in protein synthesis include transcription (DNA to mRNA) and translation (mRNA to protein).
How sexual reproduction increases variation
Mutations introduce new genetic variations that can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful to organisms.
How advantageous traits affect survival
Phenotype is the observable expression of a genotype, influencing how well an organism survives in its environment.
How wildfires affect forest biodiversity
Drought can decrease water availability, leading to stress on plants and animals, affecting survival and reproduction.
Physical adaptations for survival
Camouflage helps organisms evade predators by blending into their environment.
Steps in synthesizing a protein
Mutations can alter the sequence of amino acids, potentially affecting protein function and leading to diseases.
Contribution of mutations to variation
Sexual reproduction increases genetic variation by combining genetic material from two parents.
Relationship between phenotype and genotype
Evidence supporting natural selection includes fossil records, observed adaptations, and comparative anatomy.
Long-term effects of an earthquake on ecosystems
Long-term effects of an earthquake can include habitat alteration, changes in species distribution, and soil erosion.
Adaptations to survive temperature changes
Human activities, such as urbanization, can disrupt natural selection processes and affect animal adaptations.
Importance of ribosomes in protein synthesis
Ribosomes are the cellular machinery that synthesizes proteins by linking amino acids together.
Environmental factors affecting traits
Environmental factors, such as climate and resources, can influence the expression and frequency of traits in a population.
Evidence supporting natural selection
Genetic drift can lead to random changes in trait distribution, especially in small populations.