investigating biodiversity Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is intraspecific variation?

A

Differences in characteristics between individuals, within a species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is interspecific variation?

A

Differences in characteristics between different species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What could variation within a species could be the result of? [3]

A
  • Genetic factors (i.e. different alleles)
  • Environmental factors
  • A combination of both
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is Continuous Variation? [5]

A
  • No distinct categories
  • Data teds to be quantitative
  • Controlled by many genes
  • Strongly influenced by the environment
  • Example: height
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is Discontinuous Variation? [5]

A
  • Distinct, discrete categories
  • Data tends to be qualitative
  • Controlled by a single gene or a few genes
  • Unaffected / not strongly influenced by the environment
  • Example: blood groups
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the difference between Quantitative & Qualitative data?

A

Quantitative > Is measurable, telling us how many, how much, or how often in calculations.

Qualitative > Qualitative data is interpretation-based, helping us to understand why, how, or what happened behind certain behaviours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How can Genetic Diversity be determined? [3]

A

By comparing…
- The frequency of measurable / observable characteristics
- The base sequence of DNA and mRNA
- The amino acid sequence of the proteins encoded by DNA and mRNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How were early estimates of genetic diversity made?

A

Early estimates of genetic diversity were made by looking at the frequency of measurable / observable characteristics in a population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What were the limitations of early methods of estimating genetic diversity? [2]

A
  • Many observable characteristics are coded for by more than one gene (polygenic) → difficult to distinguish one from another
  • Characteristics could be modified by the environment → differences may be as a result of different environmental conditions rather than different alleles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Mark-Release-Recapture Method [6]

A
  • Capture a large number of sample organism, count them
  • Mark using a suitable method that will not endanger their chances of survival (nail polish, UV pen)
  • Release and allow to mix back amongst the population
  • After a day or 2 recapture another large sample
  • Count the total number caught and how many of those are marked
  • Use the formula to calculate population size:
    (total of first captured population X total of second captured population) / number of marked individuals recaptured
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How can a representative sample be taken? [2]

A

Random Sample
- eliminates bias
- e.g. using grid co-ordinates and a quadrat

Large sample size
- Minimise effects of chance
- Anomalies have less influence and can be identified

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Species Diversity

A

The number of different species present in a
community (including the number of individuals of
each species)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Species Richness

A

The number of different species in a community
(this doesn’t consider the number of individuals of
each species within an area)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Simpson’s diversity index [4]

A

D = Simpson’s diversity index
Σ = the sum of
N = the total number of individuals recorded in a sample
n = the number of individuals of each species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Removal of Hedgerows - advantages [3]

A
  • Increases space for crop growth
  • Removes shading
  • No hedge maintenance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Removal of Hedgerows - disadvantages [3]

A
  • Soil more prone to erosion
  • Reduces biodiversity by removing habitats and food sources
  • Predators may have their habitat removed, allowing pests to flourish in the crops
17
Q

What other farming practices reduces Biodiversity? [4]

A
  • Removing wetlands
  • Over-grazing of land
  • Use of pesticides, inorganic fertilisers
  • Lack of crop rotation
18
Q

Give 3 Conservation Techniques

A
  • Organic fertilisers
  • Biological control or genetically modified organisms
  • Crop rotation including nitrogen-fixing crops
19
Q

Give 3 effects of deforestation

A
  • Disruption of the water cycle (transpiration)
  • Disruption of the carbon cycle
  • Increased burning leads to increased carbon
    dioxide