InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Changing Biosphere > Student Materials > Unit 1 Study Guide
InTeGrate's Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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The student materials are available for offline viewing below. Downloadable versions of the instructor materials are available from this location on the instructor materials pages. Learn more about using the different versions of InTeGrate materials »

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For the Instructor

These student materials complement the Changing Biosphere Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.

Mass Extinctions & The Biodiversity Crisis

Use this guide to help you test your knowledge by quizzing yourself on the terms with the definitions hidden and answering the concept questions.

New Vocabulary or Terminology

  • biodiversity
  • Before Present (BP)
  • ecosystem processes
  • ecosystem services
  • evolution
  • exotic species
  • extinction
  • fossil
  • invasive species
  • mass extinction
  • megafauna
  • microclimate
  • positive feedback cycle

Conceptual Questions

  1. How are mass extinctions different from normal extinctions in the fossil record?
  2. What factors are thought to have caused past mass extinctions?
  3. What factors are causing current extinctions?
  4. What is the difference between an exotic species and an invasive species?
  5. Are we currently in the midst of a sixth mass extinction?
These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »