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biodiversity Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Explain the importance of sampling in measuring the biodiversity of a habitat.

A

impossible / difficult , to count every individual ;
sample provides an estimate ;
sample representative (of whole area) ;

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2
Q

Why was it important to take samples in fenced and unfenced areas?

A 
to compare (the two areas) ;
(presence or absence of) roe deer is independent variable ;
idea of controlling variables other than roe deer ;
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3
Q

Explain the difference between species richness and species evenness and why both measurements are needed to assess biodiversity.

A

(species) richness is number of species (in a habitat) ;
(species) evenness is , abundance / number of
individuals of , each / every / all , species (in a habitat) ;
idea that both (richness and evenness) are needed to
reveal dominance ;
idea that high biodiversity associated with high species
richness and high species evenness ;

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4
Q

Roe deer eat plants. Most woodland birds do not eat plants.

Suggest one reason why a large roe deer population might decrease the diversity of woodland birds

A

plants are , the basis / AW , of (all) food chains ;
shrubs / plants , are food for , insects / animals , that birds
eat ;
idea that shrubs might provide , nesting sites / cover /
protection / habitat ;

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5
Q

Outline the significance of a low value of Simpson’s Index of Diversity.

A

(habitat) dominated by, one / few / AW, species ;
ecosystem / habitat , is , unstable / less likely to cope with
change ;

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6
Q

Plans are being considered to re-introduce the Eurasian lynx from these European populations to the wild parts of Britain to improve biodiversity.
Suggest one reason why some people might object to this re-introduction.

A

idea of danger to , humans / local wildlife / domestic
animals / deer ;
environment may no longer be suitable for lynx / AW ;

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7
Q

Explain why it is sometimes necessary to conserve a plant species, such as N. thermarum, outside its natural habitat (ex situ).

A

(natural) habitat / ecosystem , lost due to / destroyed
by / under threat from , climate change /
(named) human activity ;
number / population , (in natural habitat) is very low ;
idea that in the wild, (sexual) reproduction is difficult (if
numbers are low) ; ora
(breeding ex situ can) maintain , the gene pool /
genetic / allelic , diversity; ora
idea that allows protection from , grazers / herbivores
/ plant collectors / competing species ; ora
idea of protection from ,
pathogen / parasites / disease ; ora

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8
Q

Give three advantages of conserving plant species as seeds and not as adult plants.

A

can be collected with minimal damage to (wild) ,
population / habitat / ecosystem ;
take up little space / larger numbers can be stored ;
ora
can store great(er) , genetic / allelic , diversity ; ora
low(er) maintenance / manpower costs / AW ; ora
easy / cheaper, to transport / AW ; ora
idea of remaining viable for long periods ; ora
less , susceptible / vulnerable , to, disease / pests /
environmental change ; ora
idea that prevents fertilisation by undesired pollen ;

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9
Q

Outline an unbiased sampling method that can be used to measure the biodiversity of plant species in grassland.

A

1 (use of) quadrat ;
2a random (sampling) ;
3a placing measuring tapes (at right angles) / use grid ;
OR
2b (use of) transect ;
3b (quadrat / point frame) placed at regular intervals ;
4 (use of identification) key ;
5 example / detail , of method used to determine
abundance ;
6 repeat many times / idea of considering appropriate
number of samples ;
7 sample / AW , at different , seasons / times of year ;

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10
Q

Scientists try to estimate the total number of species on Earth.Suggest three reasons why such estimates are not likely to be accurate.

A

reason for not having found all species ;
may have become extinct , recently / since recording ;
evolution is on-going / new species are being formed /
AW ;
idea that some (species) difficult to distinguish /
some species may be reclassified / AW ;

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11
Q

Suggest two other steps they could have taken to ensure that their value for Simpson’s Index of Diversity was as accurate as possible.

A

idea of random sampling ;
standardisation of technique ;
use of, key/identification chart ;
survey at different , times of year / season ;
include , trees / species larger than quadrat ;

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12
Q

Define the term biodiversity.

A

range / variety / number , of species (in an area) ;
range / variety of, habitats / ecosystems ;
variety of , alleles / genes ;

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13
Q

Suggest two specific reasons why the government feels it is important to conserve red squirrels in a particular area, such as Northumberland.

A 
part of (local) food , chain / web ;
tourism ;
native species / idea of heritage of the area ;
to protect a neighbouring red squirrel
population ;
idea that Northumberland red squirrel
population is nationally significant ;
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14
Q

Give one reason why people might disagree with the culling of grey squirrels.

A

idea that:
it is wrong to interfere with nature ;
it is wrong to kill animals ;
grey has (as much) right to live there (as red) ;
idea that might be useful in the future / enjoyed by
future generations ;
grey will be part of food chain ;

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15
Q

Suggest two reasons why the actual number of grey squirrels might not be higher than the actual number of red squirrels in these areas.

A 
idea that:
harder to see ; ora
(harder to see because) more timid /
frightened of people / spend less time
on ground / smaller ; ora
species may be wrongly identified ;
grey squirrels more likely to visit gardens /
parks / public areas ; ora
people are more inclined to report grey
sightings ;
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16
Q

) In 2010, a company applied for permission to build a wind farm in rural Northumberland. Before permission was granted for the development, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out by the local authority.State three criteria that would have been considered when the EIA was carried out.

A 
size (of development) ;
idea of environmental sensitivity / which
species present / which habitats
present , in the area ;
potential damage (to area / organisms) ;
idea of potential strategies to minimise
impact ;
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17
Q

Suggest why this lack of genetic variation might have contributed to the rapid spread of the disease.

A

idea of if one susceptible to, this / the disease, all

likely to be ;

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18
Q

Suggest why, despite the low genetic variation, the average yield of potato plants varied from year to year.

A

environment / environmental factor ;
(variation in) weather conditions / temperature ;
rainfall / soil water content ;
soil , (named) mineral / nitrate , content / AW ;
(named) biotic factor (might vary) ;

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19
Q

Some potato plants carry a gene that gives the plants resistance to potato blight.State the most likely cause of this genetic variation.

A

mutation

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20
Q

Describe how it is possible to use selective breeding to improve the overall disease resistance of a crop, such as potatoes, in both the short and long term.
In your answer you should include precautions that should be taken to ensure disease susceptibility does not become a problem in the future.

A

cross / breed, with disease resistant variety ;
method to test offspring for disease resistance ;
select , best offspring / offspring with
resistance ;
(inter)breed, offspring with resistance / best
offspring ;
(continue process) for (many) generations ;
idea of avoid breeding, closely related / AW ,
individuals to preserve genetic diversity ; ora
(regularly back) cross with, wild variety ;
idea of preserving rare varieties in case they
are needed in the future ;

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21
Q

Suggest two reasons why the number of species identified is likely to be lower than the actual number of species present on Earth.

A

idea that:
not all , areas explored / species yet discovered ;
microscopic / small / nocturnal / camouflaged , species
difficult to see ;
sampling might miss rare species ;
organisms mistakenly identified as one species may
actually be two (or more) species ;
concept of species is difficult to define ;

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22
Q

Suggest explanations for the shape of the two curves between 2005 and 2010.

A

(total species assessed is increasing because) ,
idea of more sampling / exploration (leads to more
species identified)
or
improved identification , techniques / described ;
(threatened species is increasing because) ,
loss of habitat
or
climate change
or
increased human population
or
idea of interspecific competition from introduced
species
or
idea that some of the newly-identified species are
likely to be threatened ;
(there is a widening gap between total and threatened
species because) ,
new species tend to be discovered in areas where
humans don’t live so they are not threatened
or
conservation techniques are working / AW ;

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23
Q

State one further factor that could be taken into account when describing the biodiversity of an area.

A 
range / number , of habitats / ecosystems ;
genetic variation (within species) ;
24
Q
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
  • Rio Convention on Biological Diversity.Other than the conservation of biodiversity, state two aims for each of these conventions.Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
A

CITES 2 max
regulate / monitor / prevent , trade in , selected / certain /
endangered , species
ensure (international) trade does not endanger , wild
populations / AW ;
prohibit (commercial) trade in wild plants ;
allow trade in , artificially propagated plants / AW ;
allow (some) trade in less endangered , wild species /
organisms / animals and plants ;
Rio Convention 2 max
sustainable use of , organisms / habitats / ecosystems ;
share genetic resources ;
share access to , scientific knowledge / technology ;
idea of promoting (named) ex situ conservation
method(s) ;
idea of raising profile of (biodiversity) with , governments /
public bodies / general public ;
idea of international cooperation (on biodiversity issues) ;

25
Q

Suggest why the loss of these enzymes might be undesirable.

A

enzyme could have potential / future , application ;

any example of potential application ;

26
Q

Suggest two ways in which the population of Antarctic fish could be conserved.

A

ban fishing (in this area / Antarctic) ;
idea of quotas / limits on numbers caught ;
idea of protecting (this) habitat (from drilling etc) ;
ex situ (conservation) / captive breeding ;
idea of promoting other species (for eating) ;
educating people in the fishing industry ;

27
Q

Explain how it would be possible for farmers in the eighteenth century to produce a larger, more profitable variety of sheep from an existing flock of sheep.

A

artificial selection / selective breeding ;
select (male and female) sheep that are, larger /
woollier / meatier/ have desired characteristics ;
crossbreed / breed (together) / mate (together) /
interbreed ;
select , best / AW, offspring ;
idea of breeding (and selecting) for , many / several ,
generations ;

28
Q

State one further way of improving productivity that is used by modern farmers.

A 
(use of) (named) antibiotics ;
(use of) (named) pesticides / insecticides / fungicides ;
cloning / genetic modification / AW ;
artificial insemination / AI / IVF /
marker-assisted selection ;
hormones ;
vaccinations ;
29
Q

Suggest how organic fertilisers improve the yield of plant crops.

A

broken down by, decomposers / bacteria / fungi ;
add (named) mineral(s) to soil ;
nitrate and phosphate and potassium / NPK ;
specific use of (any) named mineral ;
lack of (named) , mineral(s) / nutrient(s) / ion(s), is
limiting factor (for growth) ;
example of way in which soil quality is improved ;

30
Q

Suggest how the excessive use of inorganic fertilisers on farmland can cause a reduction in its biodiversity.

A

(fertiliser) promotes growth of, one / few, (plant)
species ;
other (plant) species , out-competed / AW (as a result
of competition from crop species) ;
idea of disruption of food chains ;
idea of reduction in , soil quality / humus , over time so
plants cannot grow ;

31
Q

Explain why a reduction in biodiversity may present problems for agriculture in the future.

A

loss of genetic , diversity / variation (in wild
population) ;
environment / agricultural requirements, may change
(in future) ;
(lost) genes / alleles , may have been useful ;
e.g. of gene useful to agriculture ;
fewer pollinators ;
loss of (pest) predators ;

32
Q

Suggest one other reason why some people might be concerned about using insecticides.

A

destruction of a species is, morally / ethically, wrong ;
might cause unintended health problems in humans ;
might harm, other / unintended, species ;
idea of bioaccumulation / biomagnification ;

33
Q

Suggest how the effects of insecticide use on a population of Anopheles mosquitoes could be measured and state the steps that should be taken in order to produce valid and reliable results.

A

Field investigation
(sampling) before and after insecticide treatment ;
idea of , unbiased / random, sampling of population ;
example of sampling technique ;
(sampling in) different, times / weather ;
large number of samples taken ;
idea of standardised sampling procedure ;
idea of preventing counting same individual more than
once ;
idea of capture – recapture ;
calculate mean / calculate standard deviation / apply
statistical test ;
Laboratory investigation
idea of:
with and without insecticide exposure ;
measuring mosquito survival / count surviving
mosquitoes ;
controlling one named key variable ;
controlling second named key variable ;
idea of using a range of insecticide concentrations ;
replicates ;
calculate mean / calculate standard deviation / apply
statistical test ;

34
Q

Define the term variation.

A

differences ;

in / within / between, species ;

35
Q

Suggest two reasons why the kakapo varies in size.

A

genetic differences / different alleles / inherited differences ;
environment / diet / disease ;

36
Q

Suggest two reasons why the reported mass range for the adult kakapo may not be accurate.

A

only small number have been sampled / AW ;
idea that individuals sampled may not be representative of
population ;
data collected when population was larger /
smaller population may mean range has changed ;

37
Q

State the name of the process by which new species arise and suggest the mechanisms necessary for this process to occur.

A

Name
1 speciation ;
Mechanism – max 2 marks
2 isolation / separation, (of populations) ;
3 further detail of isolating mechanism ;
4 mutation / genetic variation ;
5 natural selection / description of natural selection ;
6 different selection pressure(s) (in different environment) ;
7 (enough) time to allow changes in population to
prevent interbreeding / AW ;

38
Q

Suggest three reasons why the conservation of the black poplar is important.

A

part of ecosystem / habitat for other organisms ;
part of food, chain / web ;
wood useful for specific purpose ;
(potential) source of medicine ;
genetic resource ;
aesthetic value / give pleasure / beautiful trees ;
ethical reason / moral responsibility ;
resource for (non-medical) scientific research

39
Q

State why the conservation of a species in a botanic garden is described as ex situ.

A

not in, natural / normal, habitat / environment ;

40
Q

outline the advantages of using a seed bank, as opposed to adult plants, in order to conserve an endangered plant species.

A

most plants produce an excess ;
(so) can be collected (from wild) without damaging
(wild) , plants / organisms / population / habitat ;
take up little space ; ora
able to store, large numbers / more species ; ora
easy / cheaper, to transport / AW ; ora
idea of remaining viable for long periods ; ora
less susceptible to, disease / pests / environmental
change ; ora

41
Q

Suggest why it is important to ensure that, for each species, the seeds in a seed bank have been collected from several different sites in the wild.

A

(maintain / increase) genetic variation / gene pool ;
reduced chance of (future), disease / environmental
change, affecting (whole) population ;
reduces chance of inbreeding ;
maintain, geographical variation / varieties / races /
strains / subspecies ;

42
Q

On Christmas Eve 1987, the last female Spix’s Macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii, was removed from the wild in Brazil. The last remaining male bird continued to live in the wild for a further six years. This male bird, having lost its partner, mated with a Blue-winged Macaw, Propyrrhura maracana.
Explain why eggs produced by this mating did not hatch.

A

different species ;
different genus ;
genetically incompatible ;
(may have) different number of chromosomes ;
physical / behavioural , reason for reproductive
incompatibility ;

43
Q

State what the abbreviation CITES stands for.

A

Convention (on) International Trade (in)

Endangered Species ;

44
Q

State two of the aims of the CITES agreement.

A

regulate / monitor , trade in selected ,
species / animals / plants / animal products ;
idea of ensuring trade does not put wild populations at
risk ;
idea of prohibiting commercial trade in wild plants ;
idea of allowing trade in artificially propagated plants ;
idea of allowing trade in less endangered species
subject to permit ;

45
Q

Suggest two factors to be taken into consideration when selecting individuals for this breeding programme.

A 
unrelated / AW, individuals ;
health ;
of reproductive age ;
selecting individuals of opposite sex (for breeding) ;
select higher proportion of females ;
46
Q

Finally, a captive bred female Spix’s Macaw was released into the original male’s territory.What could be done to try to ensure the success of this release programme?

A

bird(s) healthy / quarantine before release ;
adequate (natural) food supply /
provide food (if necessary) ;
protected reserve / no hunting / no poaching /
legal protection ;
method to monitor population ;
raise public awareness / educate local population /
educate collectors ;
method to prepare animals for survival in wild ;
idea of gradual introduction, e.g via semi-wild habitat ;

47
Q

Suggest two reasons for the trends described, species richness/eveness

A

climate change / global warming ;
(environmental) change too rapid for adaptation ;
change in, flora / plants / food supply / insects / prey /
predators / human activity ;
disease (that affects sub-arctic species more than others) ;
sub-arctic species, less well-adapted than / have been
outcompeted by, non sub-arctic species / AW ;

48
Q

What is meant by species richness?

A

the number of species present (in a habitat) ;

49
Q

Describe three ways in which the sampling procedure could be designed to try to make sure that a representative sample was obtained.

A

idea of: unbiased method to selecting sampling area ;
sample many times / AW, and calculate mean / average ;
standardised sweeping procedure ;
ensure insects do not escape (before being identified) ;
method to prevent recounting ;
sample at different times of, day / month / year / weather
conditions ;

50
Q

Explain the importance of species evenness in determining the biodiversity in a habitat.

A

(measures), abundance / numbers, of individuals in each
species ;
species evenness is more quantitative than
species richness ; ora
high(er) species evenness indicates
high(er) biodiversity ; ora
low species evenness indicates, dominance by / high
abundance of, one / few, species ; ora
used to calculate (Simpson’s) Index of Diversity ;
example used to illustrate explanation of mp 3 or 4 ;

51
Q

Suggest why some people are concerned about the plan to introduce pine martens from other areas into Wales.

A

(introduced) pine martens might not be adapted to local
conditions / AW ;
(local) habitat, might have changed / is no longer suitable
(for any pine martens) / AW ;
introduced, pine martens, might outcompete native,
population / pine martens ;
introduced pine martens might bring disease ;
Welsh pine marten would lose its, distinctiveness / identity,
because of interbreeding

52
Q

State the two different causes of variation.

A

genes / genetic / mutation ;

environment(al) ;

53
Q

continuous variation.

Describe three characteristics of this type of variation.

A

no defined categories ;
range of values / intermediate values ;
influenced by, environment / many genes / genes and
environment ;
quantitative / has to be measured / cannot be counted ;

54
Q

Suggest two undesirable consequences of selective breeding in chickens.

A

growth too rapid ;
increased susceptibility to, disease / named abnormality ;
inbreeding ;
reduces gene pool / genetic variation / genetic diversity ;

55
Q

Explain why it is important to preserve the population of the red jungle fowl.

A 
maintain biodiversity ;
aesthetic (reasons) / tourism ;
ethical (reasons) ;
part of a food chain / web ;
maintain / increase gene pool ;
genetic resource / availability to breed with domestic
chickens ;

biology year 1 (15 decks)

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