What is the difference between a mass extinction and a regular (background) extinction?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Mass extinction is ongoing and is a regular process that results from evolution.
Mass extinction is ongoing and is a regular process that results from evolution.

Mass extinction occurs over a long period of time.
Mass extinction occurs over a long period of time.

Mass extinction can be caused by ecological factors like climate change and loss of habitat.
Mass extinction can be caused by ecological factors like climate change and loss of habitat.

Mass extinction involves many species over a short period of geologic time.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Mass extinction involves many species over a short period of geologic time.

Mass extinctions are characterized by the rapid loss of a large number of species across various taxa within a relatively short timeframe, often due to catastrophic events or significant environmental changes. In contrast, background extinctions are part of the normal evolutionary process and refer to the ongoing, gradual rate of species extinction that occurs due to normal environmental changes and natural selection.