Biodiversity Flashcards
Species
A group of similar organisms that are able to breed with one another to produce
living, fertile offspring.
Species diversity
A measure of the number of different species and the abundance of individuals in each of these species within a community.
Species richness
A measure of the number of different species in a community at a given time. It is a measure of species diversity.
Courtship
The behaviour by which members of a species select reproductive partners. It enables organisms to recognise their own species, identify a mate with a capacity to breed,form a pair bond, synchronise mating and become able to breed themselves.
Why is it important for organisms with the same species to breed
so that they can pass their genes to their offspring.
Example of courtship behaviours
E.g. The male superb bird of paradise spreads its wing and dances to attract a female.
What name is given the complex displays helps an individual to find a mate?
Courtship behaviour
Phylogenies
used to understand the evolutionary relationships between organisms. Phylogenies can help classify organisms.
A phylogenetic tree
shows the evolutionary relationship between different species and their most recent common ancestor.
In a phylogenetic tree, what does the point where two branches join represent?
Common ancestor
Courtship behaviour takes place before mating and enables individuals to:
- Recognise members of their own species
- Synchronise mating
- Form a pair bond
- Become able to breed
The scientific community evaluates the data in the following ways:
- The findings are published in scientific journals and presented scientific conferences.
- Scientists then study the evidence in a process called peer review
- Scientists start collecting evidence to either support or reject the suggestion
What are closely related organisms that are grouped together called?
singular = Taxon
Name the hierachy on taxon.
Domain. Kingdom. Phylum. Class. Order. Family. Genus. Species.
Humans can be classified in the hierarchy system as
Domain = Eukaryota. Kingdom = Animalia. Phylum = Chordata. Class = Mammalia. Order = Primates. Family = Hominidae. Genus = Homo. Species = Homo sapiens.
What is the naming system of classfication called?
Binomal system
What the binomal name for humans?
Homo sapiens
Genus
The taxa in which Homo and Panthera are classified within.
Taxa
Groups in which closely related organisms are grouped together.
Hierarchy
The series that each taxon is arranged into.
Kingdom
The taxa in which animals, plants and fungi are classified within.
What helps clarify evolutionary relationships
Genome sequencing (e.g. the relationship between skunks and weasels).
What is the courtship behaviour of peacocks?
Male peacocks show their beautifully patterned tails to the female peahens
What is the name for the evolutionary relationship of an organism or group of organisms?
Phylogeny
What are the rules for the binomial naming system used in classification?
- The names are always written in italics if they are typed.
- The binomial system consists of genus and the species of an organism
- The names are always underlined if hand-written
What is the name given to an area where an organism lives?
Habitat
How does the biodiversity at the equator differ to the biodiversity at the poles?
The equator is typically biodiverse than the poles
In the equation for the index of diversity, d, what do N and n represent? d = \frac{N(N - 1)}{\Sigma \; n(n-1)}
Σn(n−1)
N(N−1)
:
N = The total number of organisms of all species present
n = total number of organism of each species present
What does a greater value for the index of diversity indicate?
A more diverse community
Which of the following is NOT a way in which agriculture can reduce biodiversity?
Reforestation
What are some examples of conservation schemes that can avoid agricultural impacts on biodiversity?
- Protecting endangered species to avoid extinction.
- Protecting specific areas with high biodiversity so that they cannot be developed into farmland.
- The Environmental Stewardship Scheme encourages farmers to balance agriculture with conserving biodiversity. eg allowing plants to grow around fields.
How can genetic diversity between and within species be investigated?
- Comparing measurable and visible characteristics
- Comparing DNA base sequences
- Comparing mRNA base sequences
- Comparing amino acid base sequences
What is the percentage difference in the amino acid sequence for cytochrome C between mammals and insects?
33%
