3. Biodiversity and conservation

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

The amount of biological diversity per unit area. includes species, habitat and genetic diversity

Question 2

Species

Answer 2

group of organisms that interbreed and can produce fertile offspring

Question 3

Species diversity

Answer 3

variety of species per unit area. includes number of species present and their abundance

Question 4

Habitat diversity

Answer 4

range of different habitats in an ecosystem or biome

Question 5

Genetic diversity

Answer 5

range of genetic material present in a population of a species

Question 6

Evolution

Answer 6

the gradual change in the genetic characteristics of successive generations of a species/race of an organism, which gives rice to a new species/race different from the common ancestor. (change in genetic composition over time)

Question 7

Isolation

Answer 7

The process by which two populations become separated by geographical, behavioural, genetic or reproductive factors. If gene flow between the two subpopulations is prevented, new species may evolve.

Question 8

Speciation

Answer 8

The formation of new species when populations of a species become isolated and evolve differently from other populations.

Question 9

Plate tectonics

Answer 9

The movement of the eight major and several minor internally rigid plates of the Earth’s lithosphere in relation to each other and to the partially mobile asthenosphere.

Question 10

Mass extinction

Answer 10

Events in which 75% of the species on earth disappear within a geologically short time period, usually between a few hundred thousand to a few million years.