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

Question

Responses

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

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.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

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

This differentiates mass extinction events from regular (background) extinction, which typically occurs at a constant rate and involves fewer species over a longer period. Mass extinctions are significant events that lead to the rapid loss of a large number of species across various taxa, often due to catastrophic environmental changes.