8: Biodiversity

Question 1

What is Biodiversity “Biological Diversity”?

Answer 1

refers to the number and variety of different species given in an area

Question 2

How many is the known number of species to science?

Answer 2

1.7 million, mostly insects

an estimate of greater than 10 million for the total number of species scientists accepts

Question 3

How many levels of biodiversity are there? Name them

Answer 3

3 levels
1. Species diversity
2. Ecosystem diversity
3. Genetic diversity

Question 4

Species diversity

Answer 4

all differences bet. the population of species; as well as bet. diff. species
- received the most attention,
- often meant by diversity

Question 5

Ecosystem diversity

Answer 5

variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and bet. ecosystems

Question 6

Genetic diversity

Answer 6

all the different genes contained within all members of a population

Question 7

Gene

Answer 7

piece of DNA that codes for a specific trait that can be inherited by an offspring

Question 8

Elaborate benefits of diversity

Answer 8

1. species are connected to ecosystems
2. species and population survival
3. Medical, industrial, and agricultural uses

Question 9

State why species are connected to ecosystems

Answer 9

• all play an important role in an ecosys
• every species are either dependent on or upon by at least one other species
• when 1 species disappears, a strand in food web is removed

Question 10

Keystone species

Answer 10

species that are critical to the functioning of an ecosysten

Question 11

ex of keystone species

Answer 11

sea otter - they help control the populations of food species they prey upon

Question 12

State what is species and population survival

Answer 12

• level of genetic diversity within a population is a critical factor in a species’ survival
• genetic variation increases the chances that some membs of a popu may survive envi pressure/ changes

Question 13

Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural Uses

Answer 13

• About 1⁄4 of the drugs prescribed in the US are derived from plants.
• Almost all antibiotics are derived from chemicals found in fungi.
• For some industries, undiscovered and poorly studied species represent a source of potential products.
• Most of the crops produced around the world originated from a few areas of high biodiversity.
• Most new crop varieties are hybrids, crops developed by combining genetic material from other populations.

Question 14

Mass extinction

Answer 14

extinction of many species in a relatively short period of time