Q7 / 180 · NEET 2026 (Cancelled) · Botany
Since the origin and diversification of life on Earth, there have been five episodes of mass extinction of species. How is the sixth extinction which is in progress, different from the previous episodes ?
- AThe present net species extinction rate is zero.
- BThe current species extinction rate is nearly $10$ times faster than that in previous episodes.
- Correct answerCThe present species extinction rates are $100$ to $1000$ times faster than in the pre-human times.
- DThe current species extinction rates are far lower than those in previous episodes.
Solution
According to the standard biological literature, during the long period since the origin and diversification of life on Earth, there have been five episodes of mass extinction of species.
The 'Sixth Extinction' presently in progress is different from the previous episodes primarily in terms of the rate of extinction.
The current species extinction rates are estimated to be $100$ to $1000$ times faster than in the pre-human times, and human activities are responsible for these accelerated rates.
Answer: The present species extinction rates are $100$ to $1000$ times faster than in the pre-human times.
The 'Sixth Extinction' presently in progress is different from the previous episodes primarily in terms of the rate of extinction.
The current species extinction rates are estimated to be $100$ to $1000$ times faster than in the pre-human times, and human activities are responsible for these accelerated rates.
Answer: The present species extinction rates are $100$ to $1000$ times faster than in the pre-human times.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.