Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
How have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and rising temperatures primarily affected living organisms?
A
They have resulted in a decrease in natural selection pressures.
B
They have eliminated genetic variation within populations.
C
They have caused all species to evolve at the same rate.
D
They have led to shifts in species distributions and altered timing of biological events (phenology).
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the impact of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and rising temperatures on ecosystems. These changes are primarily associated with global climate change, which affects living organisms in various ways.
Recognize that shifts in species distributions occur because organisms often move to new areas where conditions are more favorable for survival, such as cooler regions or higher altitudes, in response to changing temperatures.
Learn about phenology, which refers to the timing of biological events such as flowering, migration, and reproduction. Rising temperatures can alter these events, causing mismatches between species and their environment or interactions with other species.
Consider how these changes can affect ecosystems and biodiversity. For example, altered phenology may disrupt food chains, pollination, or breeding cycles, leading to ecological imbalances.
Understand that these effects do not eliminate genetic variation, decrease natural selection pressures, or cause all species to evolve at the same rate. Instead, they lead to adaptive responses and shifts in behavior, distribution, and timing of biological events.