11.1

Question 1

What is biodiversity?

Answer 1

• Biodiversity- variety of living organisms present in an area, plants, animals, fungi and other living things.

Question 2

What is the importance of biodiversity?

Answer 2

• essential in maintaining a balanced ecosystem
• All species are interconnected so rely on each other
• Regions of reduced biodiversity harms all species in the ecosystem

High biodiversity…less stressful environment and better ability to withstand changes to the environment
There are more complex food webs

Question 3

What are the 3 types of biodiversity?

Answer 3

• habitat biodiversity
• Species biodiversity
• Genetic biodiversity

Question 4

What is habitat biodiversity?

Answer 4

• refers to the number of different habitats found within an area
• Greater habitat diversity, greater species biodiversity

Question 5

What is species diversity?

Answer 5

• species richness- number of different species in an particular area
• Species evenness- comparison of the individuals of each species living in a community

Question 6

What is genetic biodiversity?

Answer 6

• genetic biodiversity refers to the variety of genes/alleles that make up a species
• All members of the species share the same genes, but they have different versions of these genes called alleles
• Different version of genes are alleles leading to genetic biodiversity leading to different characteristics being exhibited
• Organisms with more advantageous alleles are better able to adapt to a changing environment
• Greater genetic biodiversity allows for better adaptation to a changing environment, and is more likely to result in individuals who are resistant to disease
• As a result, they are less likely to go extinct