Classification and Biodiversity

Question 1

What is the definition of “Alien Species”?

Answer 1

A species that is introduced into an area where it wouldn’t usually be found in order to control specific pests or pathogens.

Question 2

What is the definition of “Biodiversity”?

Answer 2

The variety and number of different species in an area.

Question 3

What is the definition of “Classification”?

Answer 3

Grouping of organisms which is usually based on similarities in physical features.

Question 4

What is the definition of “Fungi”?

Answer 4

A type of organism which is eukaryotic and can be single-celled or multicellular.

Question 5

What is the definition of “Bacteria”?

Answer 5

A type of pathogen which is single-celled and prokaryotic.

Question 6

What different groups can plants be classified into?

Answer 6

Flowering and non-flowering

Question 7

What different groups can animals be classified into?

Answer 7

Vertebrates (backbone) and invertebrates (no backbone)

Question 8

What are protoctists?

Answer 8

Single celled organisms

Question 9

What is the order of classification?

Answer 9

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

Question 10

Why are organisms given scientific names in Latin?

Answer 10

Latin is a dead language and these are agreed internationally which avoids any confusion between different languages.

Question 11

How is a scientific name written?

Answer 11

First name (genus)
Second name (species)

Question 12

What is an adaptation?

Answer 12

Characteristics of an organism that increases its chance of survival which are maintained by natural selection

Question 13

What are the 2 types of adaptations?

Answer 13

Morphological - A structural adaptation of the organisim
Behavioural - An aspect of behaviour that aids survival

Question 14

What does competition do?

Answer 14

Limits population sizes within a community and is important as the driving force of evolution by natural selection

Question 15

What are the 2 types of competition?

Answer 15

Interspecific - Between different species
Intraspecific - Between the same species

Question 16

What is the resource “Light” used for and by what?

Answer 16

Plants to make food for energy by photosynthesis

Question 17

What is the resource “Food” used for and by what?

Answer 17

Animals for energy

Question 18

What is the resource “Water” used for and by what?

Answer 18

All living organisms, for the chemical reactions that take place in cells

Question 19

What is the resource “Oxygen” used for and by what?

Answer 19

All living organisms that respire aerobically, to break down glucose and release energy

Question 20

What is the resource “Carbon dioxide” used for and by what?

Answer 20

Plants for photosynthesis

Question 21

What is the resource “Minerals” used for and by what?

Answer 21

All living organisms as specific minerals are needed for particular chemical reactions that take place in cells.

Question 22

What other resources do all living organisms need?

Answer 22

Space/territory for room to grow and animals need shelter from the weather. In addition, animals also need mates for reproduction.

Question 23

Why is biodiversity important for food?

Answer 23

Safeguards future food supplies by maintaining food chains important to humans

Question 24

Why is biodiversity important for medicine?

Answer 24

Many plant species are yet to be discovered and may contain chemicals that could be used in future medicines.

Question 25

Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems and resources?

Answer 25

Biodiversity creates stable ecosystems that can resist potentially harmful situations and protects valuable future resources e.g. coal and paper

Question 26

How can biodiversity be maintained for endangered species?

Answer 26

Breeding programmes which can increase population sizes or legislation to protect a single species or an entire habitat

Question 27

How can biodiversity be maintained for ecosystems?

Answer 27

Conservation schemes
Reforestation
Sustainable farming e.g. fishing quotas, fewer pesticides
Minimising global greenhouse gas production

Question 28

How can seeds be protected?

Answer 28

Seed banks

Question 29

Why can legislation be difficult?

Answer 29

Making laws to protect habitats or species can be difficult as wildlife needs may conflict with human needs. E.g. A rising human population means we need more food however, farmland disrupts natural habitats and reduces biodiversity

Question 30

Why must you make a sample big enough?

Answer 30

To be representative of the area as a whole so the results are valid

Question 31

Why must you make the sample random?

Answer 31

To avoid any bias

Question 32

Why must you choose a method that doesn’t effect the results? (Give an example)

Answer 32

Methods such as human presence may effect the results

Question 33

What is a quadrat?

Answer 33

A quadrat is a square frame divided into smaller square sections. It can be used to estimate the biodiversity of an area.

Question 34

What can’t a quadrat be used for?

Answer 34

Sampling animal populations where the animal moves.

Question 35

How do you calculate the no. of ….

Answer 35

Area sampled

Question 36

How do you calculate the estimate of the total population size?

Answer 36

Number captured on first try that were re captured

Question 37

What must there be not in capture- recapture?

Answer 37

Large-scale movement of animals in or out of the area between the two samples. E.g. Migration

Question 38

What must the marking technique not do?

Answer 38

The marking technique must not affect the survival chances of the animal. E.g. Non - camouflage

Question 39

What are transects used for?

Answer 39

To find out how organisms are distributed across an area.

Question 40

What problems are there with alien species?

Answer 40

May have no predators so its population could grow out of control,
Could carry a disease
Could compete or prey on existing species