Biodiversity within community + Investigating diversity

Question 1

What is biodiversity?

Answer 1

Variety of living organisms. Can be measured in terms of species diversity (no. of species in community), ecosystem diversity (range of different habitats) & genetic diversity

Question 2

Define Community

Answer 2

All different species that live in 1 area & interact with each other

Question 3

How do you calculate Index of Diversity?

Answer 3

d = N(N-1)/ Σn(n-1)

N= total no. of organisms of all species
n= total no. of organisms of each species
Σ= sum of

Question 4

What impact does farming have on species diversity?

Answer 4

decreases species richness

• Farmland is typically used for only 1 species
• Use of pesticides/ herbicides

Question 5

What impact does farming have on genetic diversity?

Answer 5

decreases

• Farming select for certain characteristics, which reduces no. of different alleles in population

Question 6

How can biodiversity be increased in areas of agriculture?

Answer 6

1. Use hedgerows instead of fences
2. Grow different crops in same area, or rotate crops around after season
3. Limit use of pesticides & herbicides

Question 7

Name 4 ways we can compare genetic diversity between organisms

Answer 7

1. Frequency of observable characteristics
2. Base sequence of DNA
3. Base sequence of mRNA
4. Amino acid sequence

Question 8

What is meant by gene technology?

Answer 8

Sampling DNA or mRNA to read & compare base sequence of organisms.
Amino acid sequence can be studied as this can also provide info. on organism’s mRNA & DNA sequences

Question 9

What is meant by INTERspecific & INTRAspecific variation?

Answer 9

INTERspecific = differences between individuals of DIFFERENT species

INTRAspecific = differences between individuals of SAME species

Question 10

How can a Random Sample be achieved?

Answer 10

Create grid for sample area, then randomly generate coordinates where quadrat or transect can be placed. Repeat until required sample size is reached