Intro to biology

Question 1

What does biodiversity mean?

Answer 1

Bio: life
Diversity: variety

Biodiversity: the number and variety of species found in a given area.
Includes: species diversity, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity, diversity of habitats, and diversity of interactions.

Question 2

What are the three ways that can be used to define what a species is?

Answer 2

Morphological
Recognition
Biological

Question 3

Morphological and pros and cons

Answer 3

Organisms are classified in the same species if they appear anatomically similar.

Morphology = the scientific study of physical characteristics

pros: Can compare fossils to come to conclusions about species.

cons: subjective

Question 4

Recognition and pros and cons

Answer 4

Organisms are classified in the same species if they appear to recognize each other as being potential mates ( they have the same mate recognition system). E.g Blue Footed Bobby Dance

pros: Interesting

cons: It cannot be used with fossils

It does not apply to organisms that reproduce asexually or have open mating systems.

Question 5

Biological

Answer 5

Organisms are classified in the same species if they are able to freely breed under natural conditions and produce fertile offspring.

Hybridization = crossbreeding between species; is rare in nature.

E.g Horse + Donkey = mule = sterile

pros: Helpful when there is a lot of variation within a species(e.g dogs).

cons: Cannot be used with fossils.

Does not apply to organisms that reproduce asexually.

Question 6

What causes variation?

Answer 6

Physical separation and time can cause changes in species (this is how we get new species) - is called “evolutionary change”.

Question 7

each component of diversity:

Answer 7

Diversity of Genes
Diversity of Species
Diversity of Ecosystems
Diversity of Habitats
Diversity of Interactions

Question 8

Diversity of Genes

Answer 8

The total number of genetic characteristics that make up a species; individuals in the same species have different genes.

Question 9

Diversity of Species

Answer 9

A different number of species (the species richness) in an ecological area

Note: not referring to the abundance of organisms within a species but the variety of species present

The Amazon rainforest is believed to have the most species richness.

Question 10

Diversity of Ecosystems

Answer 10

The variation of ecosystems present in the biosphere. E.g prairies, ponds, and tropical rainforests are all ecosystems with their own variety of species living within them.

Question 11

Diversity of Habitats

Answer 11

Diversity of habitats = the range of sizes, shapes, and distribution of individuals.

Question 12

Diversity of Interactions

Answer 12

The interdependence of species creates stability within an ecosystem

For food supply, protection, transportation, reproduction, hygiene, digestion.

These interactions can have a different impact on the individuals involved depending on the nature fo the relationship.

Question 13

What are some of the benefits of biodiversity?

Answer 13

More than 200000 species have been used for medical purposes.

41 percent of prescription drugs in the USA have their active ingredients derived from loving organisms ( 25 percent from plants, 12 percent from microorganisms, 2 percent from animals.)

Over 70 percent of promising anti-cancer drugs come from plants in the rain forest.

Question 14

What are some of the threats to biodiversity?

Answer 14

Habitat framentaiton: Fragmentation happens when parts of a habitat are destroyed, leaving behind smaller unconnected areas.

Introduction of exotic species: Exotic species are organisms that have been introduced into an area outside their normal distribution.

Pollution

Global climate change