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BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 1 MC

Human activities have significantly impacted species survival throughout history. Which of the following examples best demonstrates how understanding past human-induced extinctions can inform future ecosystem management?

  1. The extinction of the dodo bird due to hunting informs current wildlife protection laws.
  2. The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria guides modern medical practices.
  3. The disappearance of the Tasmanian tiger influences current conservation strategies in Australia.
  4. The domestication of wolves into dogs shapes modern animal breeding programs.
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\(C\)

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  • The Tasmanian tiger’s extinction was driven by overhunting, habitat loss, and competition from introduced species.
  • Modern scientists can learn from this event by prioritising habitat preservation and controlling invasive species to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

\(\Rightarrow C\)

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 1

Human activities have become a powerful force in the natural world, often altering the course of evolution.

Explain the concept of human-induced selection pressures and in your answer, describe two specific examples where these pressures have led to species extinction.   (3 marks)

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  • Human-induced selection pressures are changes in the environment caused by human activities that affect the survival and reproduction of species.

Extinction examples (choose two):

  • The extinction of the dodo bird in Mauritius, where human hunting and the introduction of invasive predators like rats and pigs led to the species’ extinction.
  • The extinction of the passenger pigeon in North America, where extensive hunting and habitat destruction resulted in their extinction.
  • The extinction of the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) in Australia, where government-sponsored hunting due to perceived threats to livestock, combined with habitat loss and the introduction of dogs, led to its extinction.
Show Worked Solution
  • Human-induced selection pressures are changes in the environment caused by human activities that affect the survival and reproduction of species.

Extinction examples (choose two):

  • The extinction of the dodo bird in Mauritius, where human hunting and the introduction of invasive predators like rats and pigs led to the species’ extinction.
  • The extinction of the passenger pigeon in North America, where extensive hunting and habitat destruction resulted in their extinction.
  • The extinction of the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) in Australia, where government-sponsored hunting due to perceived threats to livestock, combined with habitat loss and the introduction of dogs, led to its extinction.