Biodiversity, Species & Taxonomy Flashcards
Define biodiversity
The number of different species and number of individuals of each of the different species within a community
Define species richness
The number of different species within a community
Define community
All individuals of all species living in the same area at the same time
Define species
A group of closely related organisms that are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
Define genetic diversity
Difference in DNA/Alleles/Genes
Define niche
Where an organism lives and its role in the community, eg: how it feeds, how it interacts with other organisms and its environment.
Define habitat
Where an organism lives within an ecosystem.
Define diversity index
A quantitative measure that reflects how biodiverse a community is
What information is required to calculate an index of diversity for a particular community? (2)
- Number of species
- Number of individuals in each species
Explain why an index of diversity may be a more useful measure of biodiversity.
Measures number of individuals of each species along with number of species
As some species may be present in low/high numbers.
Give 2 advantages of using a diversity index than an indicator species.
You don’t need to identify each species as index considers number of organisms of each species.
After a forest was cleared for agriculture, the species diversity of insects in the area decreased. Explain why (4)
- Decrease in variety of plants
- Fewer habitats/niches
- Decrease in food variety
- Pesticides killing insects
Which comes first Genus or Species? (Binomial Naming System)
Genus
Define classification
Grouping of organisms based on shared characteristics (e.g: pentadactyl limb)
Domain groups:
- Bacteria
- Archaea (single-celled prokaryotes)
- Eukarya
