4.7 - Investigating diversity

Question 1

State 4 comparisons for genetic diversity within/between species

Answer 1

• frequency of measurable/observable characteristics
• DNA base sequence
• mRNA base sequence
• amino acid sequence of proteins encoded by DNA and mRNA

Question 2

How is variation between a species investigated?

Answer 2

• collecting data from random samples
• calculating mean value from data and calculating SD of mean
• interpreting these

Question 3

Limitations of comparing observable characteristics as a measure of genetic diversity within/between species

Answer 3

• characteristics may be coded for by more than 1 gene
• same characteristics could have arisen separately
• characteristics could have been influenced by environment not genes

Question 4

What do scientists use instead of comparing observable characteristics?

Answer 4

gene technology

Question 5

Name for differences between individuals of same species

Answer 5

intraspecific variation

Question 6

Name for differences between different species

Answer 6

interspecific variation

Question 7

Suggest sources of DNA from dead organisms

Answer 7

• bones
• skin
• preserved remains
• museums

Question 8

Suggest reasons why populations may show very low levels of genetic diversity

Answer 8

• genetic bottleneck
• Founder effect
• inbreeding