The smallest unit of an element that retains all the characteristics of that element is called a(n) a) atom. eliminate b) compound. c) molecule. d) proton.

humans can cause extinction of a species through overharvesting, pollution, habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species (such as new predators and food competitors), overhunting, and other influences. explosive, unsustainable human population growth is an essential cause of the extinction crisis.

explanation:

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genetic variation can be caused by mutation (which can create entirely new alleles in a population), random mating, random fertilization, and recombination between homologous chromosomes during meiosis (which reshuffles alleles within an organism's offspring).