Biodiversity Flashcards
3 domains of living things
Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya
Features of bacteria
- divide by binary fission
- 70s ribosomes
- no membrane bound organelles
Features of archaea
- no membrane bound organelles
- more complex RNA polymerase
- no murein in cell walls
- membranes contain glycerides
Features of eukarya
- contains membrane bound organelles (eukaryotic)
- 80s ribosomes
- no murein in cell walls
- membranes contain glycerides
List taxonomic ranks
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
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2 main forms of biological classification
- artificial: analogous characteristics (similar function), visible useful differences
- phylogenetic: homologous characteristics
(evolutionary relationships), arranges groups in
hierarchy
Criteria for successful reproduction
- mating btw. members of same species
- both individuals sexually mature
- form pair bond that will raise offspring
- synchronise mating to maximise fertility
Why is courtship behaviour necessary?
- females are only receptive to mating for short
period ( when eggs ready for fertilisation) - if female responds favourably, then offspring likely
to be produced
Impacts of agriculture (reducing species diversity)
- no. of species + genetic variety of alleles reduced
- leaves small area for all other competing species
- man made fertiliser + pesticide excludes species from
competing w/ crops
Measuring species diversity
N(N - 1) / sum of n(n - 1)
n = total no. of organisms of each species
N = total no. of organisms
How to determine differences between species?
- visible features (internal + external)
- study sequences of DNA, a.acids, mRNA
Pros and cons of looking at features
+ characteristics based on genes, so represent variety of
alleles in a pop.
- many characteristics coded for by many genes +
some overlap
- some characteristics result of their environment
Practices removing habitats (direct + indirect) which decrease species diversity
Direct: - removal of hedgerows
- creating monocultures
- overgrazing land
Indirect: - use of pesticides/inorganic fertilisers
- escape of effluent into waterways
- absence of crop rotation
Conservation techniques ( to boost species diversity)
- maintain/plant hedgerows as an A shape
- maintain/create ponds + wetlands
- plant native trees
- reduce pesticides / use organic fertilisers
- crop rotation
Method of random sampling
- Divide study area into grid using tape measure
- Using random number generator, obtain coordinates
- Take samples at these coordinates + repeat
How to minimise effect of chance in random sampling
- use larger sample size to reduce effect of anomalies
- statistical tests of data collected to determine extent
of influence of chance
Reasons measurements may not be representative
- sampling bias
- chance
What is a binomial name?
the name given to a species that is made up of two words: the genus name and the species name (e.g. Homo sapiens)