Living Environment Flashcards
Why should biodiversity be conserved?
Biomimetics, physiological research, medicines, resources, ecosystem services, genetic resources, pest control
Why do indigenous species have better genetic diversity?
Because they are adapted to live in that area.
What is biomimetics?
The study of living organisms, so knowledge can be used for human engineering and technological innovation.
Give an example of biomimetics in transport design.
Splayed wingtip feathers of soaring birds reduce drag and wing turbulence. This inspired plane wing design to increase fuel efficiency.
Give an example of biomimetics in infection control.
Bacteria doesn’t easily stick to shark skin. Shark skin-like coatings are used to control bacterial infections in hospitals.
Give an example of biomimetics in architecture.
Termite mounds absorb heat, creating a convection current that pushes out hot, stale air. This is used in office building and shopping centre ventilation systems and heat control.
Give an example of biomimetics in adhesion.
Hooked seeds attach to animal fur for better seed dispersal. This is mimicked in the design of Velcro.
How do plants produce medicines for humans?
They release toxic chemicals to prevent herbivores from eating them. Some of these chemicals are alkaloids that have medical benefits in humans in controlled amounts.
Give two examples of plants that produce medicines.
- Poppies produce Morphine, a painkiller
- Cinchona Trees produce Quinine, which treats Malaria
What is physiological research?
The study of chemical and biological processes in organisms that allow them to perform the tasks and functions to live.
Give two examples of physiological research.
- Marsupials giving birth to young in early development stages and developing in their pouch are easier to study than human embryos. This allows scientists to better understand birth complications like premature birth.
- Marine Sponges produce proteins to prevent rejection of grafts from other individuals. These proteins are being developed to prevent human organ rejections after transplant surgeries.
What are crop wild relative species? (CWR)
Wild plants with the same species as commercial crops with characteristics that can be bred to make more desirable commercial crops.
Why do commercial crops lack genetic diversity?
Because they are produced from a limited number of original plants.
What characteristics can be introduced from CWR species?
Nutrient uptake, improved taste, improved appearance, drought resistance, high yield
What are Vavilov centres?
Areas of the world with very large numbers of plant species of economic importance and high genetic diversity
What is a gene pool?
The total variety of different genes in all the members of a population
Why don’t large populations always have large gene pools?
Because they may all be descendants of closely related individuals
Why do domestic species have small gene pools and why is this a problem?
Because they are often inbred, so have a higher chance of gaining the recessive genes for disadvantageous characteristics.
Why are small gene pools a problem?
Because they are less able to adapt to changes in the environment, eg. Climate changes and diseases
Why should all genes be protected?
To maintain good genetic diversity, so that populations are strong and stable
What services can habitats give species?
Regulating, supporting, cultural, provisioning
What is an endemic species?
A species indigenous to an area and not naturally found anywhere else.
What is wood used for?
Timber for structural uses.
What are fibres used for?
Plant and animal fibres.
What are oils used for?
Vegetable oils, cosmetics, etc.
What are fuels used for?
Biofuels
How are new foods used?
Many plant species have the potential for commercial cultivation, and can be used for alternatives for eg. meat
How did biomimetics contribute to ultrasound technology?
Dolphins’ ultrasound systems are used to find prey, which are now utilised in ships and embryo scans.
Why is physiological research helpful?
Because it can be easier and more practical to study animals than to study humans.
How can interspecies relationships benefit species?
They can aid in pollination, seed dispersal and habitat provision.
How are decomposers useful for soil maintenance?
They break down dead biological matter, releasing the nutrients back into the soil for organisms to reuse. This decomposition also releases organic acids which help weather rocks which makes more soil.
What does anthropogenic mean?
Caused by humans.
What are the 5 anthropogenic causes of habitat destruction?
Deforestation
Farmland Expansion
Urbanisation
Mineral Extraction
Flooding by Reservoirs
What are the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside (1981) Act?
Why does conservation of species benefit agriculture?
What is an ecological community?
How does the IUCN choose how to categorise a species?
Why is it beneficial for the IUCN to categorise the Red List?
What are the main responsibilities of the IUCN?
- Co-ordinating global data on biodiversity conservation.
- Increasing understanding of importance of biodiversity.
- Deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges and sustainable development.
IUCN: EX
Extinct - No known individuals remain.
IUCN: EW
Extinct in the wild - Only surviving individuals are in captivity.
IUCN: CR
Critically Endangered - Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
IUCN: DD
Data Deficient - Insufficient information for a species to be categorised.
IUCN: EN
Endangered - High risk of extinction in the wild.
IUCN: VU
Vulnerable - High risk of becoming endangered.
IUCN: NT
Near-threatened - Likely to become endangered in the near future.
IUCN: LC
Least Concern - At lowest risk of becoming endangered.
What order to the IUCN categories come in?
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Critically endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near threatened
Least concern
Data deficient
What is an EDGE species?
Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered - Threatened with extinction and have few genetically similar relatives.
What is a keystone species?
A species with many important ecological functions within their ecosystem, usually more than their populations might suggest. Eg. Wolves.
What is a flagship species?
Species with a high public profile, which may attract less support themselves. Eg. Giant Panda.
Why might an introduced species pose a threat to endemic species?
What are the main reasons for human exploitation of the environment?
Food
Fashion
Entertainment
Ornaments and Furniture
Traditional Medicines
Why might humans deliberately kill a species?
They may cause direct harm to humans (Predators, eg. Snakes)
They may eat livestock (Competitors, eg. Wolves)
They may carry disease (Mosquitoes)
What is CITES Appendix I?
What is CITES Appendix II?
What is CITES Appendix III?
What is an SSSI?
Sites of special scientific interest.
What is an NNR?
National nature reserve.
What is an SAC?
Special area of conservation.
What is an SPA?
Special protection area.
What is a Ramsar Site?
What is an MPA?
Marine Protected Area
What is ITTO?
International Tropical Timber Organisation.
What is EU CFP?
European Union Common Fisheries Policy.
What is IWC?
International Whaling Commission.
What is in situ conservation?
Conservation ‘on site’ - in the original habitat of the animal.
What is ex situ conservation?
Conservation in captivity, removed from the animal’s original habitat.
What are problems with keeping species in captivity?
Habitat Size
Food Requirements
Species Interrelationships
Financial Constraints
What breeding conditions inhibit breeding success in captivity?
Precise timing of breeding
Environmental Stimuli eg. Day length, light level, temp, food amount, stored body fat, stress
Unknown Conditions
What population interactions inhibit animals from breeding in captivity?
What breeding habitats inhibit breeding success in captivity?
How does gene pool size affect breeding success in captivity?
How can breeding success in captivity be increased?
Cryopreservation
Artificial Insemination
Embryo Transfer
Micro-propagation and Tissue Culture in plants
(Adult cell) Cloning
