Question

Large-scale evolution characterized by the rise and fall of major groups of organisms is called a. macroevolution. b. microevolution. c. mass extinction. d. adaptive radiation.

Short answer

The correct answer is a. macroevolution.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question is asking for the term that describes the large-scale evolution characterized by the rise and fall of major groups of organisms.

Review Answer Choices

The provided answer choices are: a. macroevolution. b. microevolution. c. mass extinction. d. adaptive radiation.

Define Each Term

Define each term to understand which best fits the description: - Macroevolution: Evolutionary change at or above the level of species, involving large-scale evolutionary changes including the rise and fall of major groups of organisms. - Microevolution: Small-scale changes within a species or population, such as changes in allele frequencies. - Mass Extinction: A rapid decrease in the number of species on Earth. - Adaptive Radiation: The diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecological niches.

Compare Definitions to Question

Compare the definitions to the question. The question asks about large-scale evolution characterized by the rise and fall of major groups of organisms. This best matches the definition of macroevolution.

Select the Correct Answer

Based on the definitions and comparison, the correct answer to the question is: a. macroevolution.

Key concepts

Large-scale evolution

Large-scale evolution, also known as macroevolution, involves changes that occur at or above the level of species. It includes significant evolutionary developments that take place over long periods of time.
These changes are not just minor tweaks within a species but can lead to entirely new species or even new groups of organisms.
Some examples of large-scale evolution include the emergence of mammals from reptilian ancestors or the diversification of flowering plants.

Key points:

• Occurs over millions of years
• Often results in the creation of new species
• Involves broad evolutionary events

Understanding large-scale evolution helps us figure out how life on Earth has transformed over time, giving rise to the vast diversity of organisms we see today.

Rise and fall of major groups of organisms

The rise and fall of major groups of organisms are integral components of macroevolution. This concept involves significant changes in the dominant life forms over extensive geological periods.
At different times in Earth's history, various groups of organisms have dominated the landscape, only to be replaced by other groups due to evolutionary pressures.
For example:

• Dinosaurs dominated the Mesozoic Era but went extinct around 65 million years ago.
• Mammals rose to prominence after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

These events can be driven by multiple factors such as climate changes, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, and even evolutionary innovations that provide certain organisms with advantages over others.

Evolutionary change above species level

Evolutionary change above the species level entails broad patterns and processes that influence entire ecosystems and the biosphere. This involves changes that transcend individual species, affecting large groups and clades.
Such patterns can include:

• The origin of new species through processes like speciation.
• Mass extinctions that eliminate large numbers of species across different regions.
• Adaptive radiations where a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple new species adapted to different environments.

Understanding these changes helps us interpret the history of life and predict future evolutionary trends.
This knowledge is critical for fields like conservation biology, paleontology, and even medicine, as it can provide insights into how species might evolve in response to various pressures.