_____________ occurs when a large number of species goes extinct over a relatively short period of time.a.Extinctionb.Extirpationc.Mass Effectd.Mass Extinction

Identification of the Concept

The question is asking for the term that describes the phenomenon where a significant number of species become extinct simultaneously over a short time frame.

1. Extinction: Refers to the dying out of a single species, not necessarily many at once.
2. Extirpation: Refers to the extinction of a species in a specific area, but not globally.
3. Mass Effect: This term typically refers to the impact of an event in a broader context, lacking specificity to species extinction.
4. Mass Extinction: This term specifically refers to events in Earth’s history where a significant percentage of all life forms disappear in a relatively short geological timeframe.

Answer

The correct answer is d. Mass Extinction. This term accurately captures the essence of the question concerning multiple species going extinct rapidly.