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Biology A-level > Biodiversity > Flashcards

Biodiversity Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the meaning of species diversity

A

The number of different species and the number of individuals of each species within a community.

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2
Q

Classification

A

organisation of living organisms into groups

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3
Q

What do members of a single species have in common

A

They are capable of breeding to produce living, fertile offspring.

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4
Q

Binominal system

A

Universal system where organisms are identified by two names
-generic name (Genus)
-specific name (species)

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5
Q

Courtship behaviours

A

Members of the same species can identify each other through physical and biochemical features and behaviour

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6
Q

How do courtship behaviours enable successful breeding

A

-Enable individuals to recognise members of their own species
-Identify a mate that is capable of breeding
-Form a pair bond
-Synchronise mating
-become able to breed

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7
Q

Artifical classification

A

Divides organisms according to differences that are useful at the time. (colour, size, number of legs).
These are known as analogous characteristics where they have the same function but do not have the same evolutionary origin

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8
Q

Phylogenetic classification

A

Based upon the evolutionary relationships between organisms and their ancestors
-classifies species into groups using shared characteristics derived from their ancestors

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9
Q

Generic name

A

denotes the genus to which the organisms belong

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10
Q

Specific name

A

Denotes the species to which the organism belongs

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11
Q

What are relationships in phylogenetic classification based on

A

Homologous characteristics-similar evolutionary origins regardless of their function

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12
Q

Why do we use a binomial name in
Latin

A

If we use common names it doesn’t tell
us very much about a species.

The binomial name tells us the Genus
and the Species of an organism and it’s
called in the same way EVERYWHERE
in the world

It allows us to see what it is closely
related to

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13
Q

what is meant by a hierarchy

A

Smaller groups within larger groups, and no overlap between groups

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14
Q

Taxonomy

A

study of taxons and their position in a hierarchical order

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15
Q

What does the genus of organisms show

A

Close relationship

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16
Q

Why do different species look similar

A

-Live in similar environments
-have similar selection pressures
-Similar alleles will have the selective advantage
-Produces similar/same proteins and therefore have similar characteristics

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17
Q

An example of a hierarchy

A

Classification systems

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18
Q

What is the order of taxonomic ranks

A

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

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19
Q

What are examples of courtships behaviour

A

displays, signals, gift bringing, calls

20
Q

How are phylogenetic relationships displayed

A

A tree-like diagram
-the oldest species is at the base of the tree while the most recent ones are represented by the ends of the branches

21
Q

Explain the relationship between classification and evolution

A

Phylogenetic classification is based on characteristics which have the same evolutionary origins. Taxa are based on evolutionary line of descent.

22
Q

What is the highest taxonomic rank

A

Domain

23
Q

What are the three recognised Domain

A

bacteria, Archaea and eukarya

24
Q

Biodiversity

A

the general term used to describe the variety in the living world

25
Q

Genetic diversity

A

the variety of genes possessed by the individuals that make up a population of a species

26
Q

Ecosystem diversity

A

the range of different habitats, from a small local habitat to the whole earth

27
Q

Species richness

A

The number of different species in a particular area at a given time

28
Q

community

A

all the living organisms present in an ecosystem at a given time

29
Q

Index of diversity

A

A measure of species diversity. It is a calculation to measure the relationship between the number of species in a community and the number of individuals in each species

30
Q

What is the impact of agriculture on species diversity

A

-Farmers select species with desirable qualities which means there is less space for other species as they have to compete for what little space and resources they have. This leads to reduced species diversity.

31
Q

What practices have led to the removal of habitats and reduced species diversity

A

-Removal of hedgerows
-Creating monocultures
-filling in ponds and draining marshes
-Over-grazing of land

31
Q

What management techniques can be used to increase species diversity

A

-maintain existing hedgerows
-plant hedges rather than fences
-maintain existing ponds
-leave wet corners of fields
-reduce the use of pesticides
-use organic fertilisers

32
Q

What are the 4 ways to investigate biodiversity

A

-Comparison of observable characteristics
-Comparison of DNA base sequences
-Comparison of the base sequence of mRNA
-comparison of amino acid sequences in proteins

33
Q

How is the comparison of observable characteristics used to investigate biodiversity

A

genetic diversity is measured by observing the characteristics of organisms and is based on the fact that each characteristic is determined by a gene which depends on the number of alleles

34
Q

What are the limitations of comparison of observable characteristics

A

-large number of characteristics are polygenic
-characteristics can be changed by the environment

35
Q

How is the comparison of DNA base sequences used to investigate biodiversity

A

In computerised systems each nucleotide base can be tagged with a different colour fluorescent dye which produces a series of coloured bands in a pattern which can be analysed and compared with another species to determine how diverse they are

36
Q

How can we determine how closely related species are based on their DNA sequence

A

Due to mutations the sequences of nucleotide bases in the DNA of the new species will change. Over time the new species will accumulate more and more differences in the DNA.

37
Q

How is the comparison of the base sequence of mRNA used to compare genetic diversity

A

mRNA is coded for by DNA. base sequence of mRNA is complementary to those of the strands of DNA from which they are made

38
Q

How is the comparison of amino acid sequence in proteins

A

the sequence of amino acids in proteins is determined by mRNA which in turn is determined by DNA. The degree of similarity in the amino acid sequence of the same protein in two species will also reflect how closely related the two species are.

39
Q

Interspecific variation

A

When one species differs from another

40
Q

Intraspecific variation

A

When members of the same species also differ from each other

41
Q

Why might measurements not be representative

A

-Sampling bias
-chance

42
Q

What is sampling

A

Taking measurements of individuals, selected from the population of organisms which is being investigated

43
Q

How can an investigator carry out random sampling

A
  1. divide the study area into a grid of numbered lines
  2. using random numbers from a generator obtain a series of coordinates
  3. take samples at the intersection of each pair of coordinates
44
Q

How can we minimise chance affecting the sample

A

-use a large sample size
-statistical tests

Biology A-level (31 decks)

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