UP Reading Vocabulary Practice Test

Which term refers to the variation in an environment, i.e., the number of different life forms present?

Ecology Biodiversity Habitat Species richness

Correct Answer:

Biodiversity

Explanation:

Biodiversity describes the variation of life in an environment—the number of different life forms present. It captures not just how many species exist (species richness) but also the differences among organisms within species (genetic diversity) and the variety of ecosystems themselves. That broader sense is why biodiversity is the best fit for “variation in an environment.” Ecology is about how organisms interact with each other and their surroundings, not just how many life forms there are. A habitat is the place where organisms live, not the measure of life forms. Species richness counts how many species are present, but it doesn’t reflect genetic diversity or ecosystem variety on its own.

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