Module 4 - Keywords

Question 1

Disease

Answer 1

A departure from good health caused by a malfunction of the mind or body which causes physical, mental or social symptoms

Question 2

Pathogens

Answer 2

Organisms that cause disease

Question 3

Parasites

Answer 3

Organisms that live in or on another living thing (host), causing it harm

Question 4

Transmission

Answer 4

The way in which a pathogen or parasite travels from one host to another

Question 5

Immune response

Answer 5

The specific response to antigens on the cell surface membrane of a pathogen. It involves lymphocytes and the production of antibodies

Question 6

Primary defences

Answer 6

Prevent pathogens from entering the body

Question 7

Secondary defences

Answer 7

Attempt to kill pathogens after they have entered the body

Question 8

Non specific

Answer 8

Digest a range of pathogens

Question 9

Antigens

Answer 9

Protein/glycoprotein found on the cell surface membrane on cells. Foreign antigens stimulate an immune response

Question 10

Antibodies

Answer 10

Proteins which identify and neutralise antigens. Each antibody is specific to a particular antigen due to the complementary shape of the antigen and the variable region of the antibody

Question 11

Vaccination

Answer 11

A deliberate exposure to antigenic material which activates the immune system to make an immune response and provide immunity

Question 12

Natural immunity

Answer 12

Gained in the normal course of living

Question 13

Artificial immunity

Answer 13

Gained by an injection which is a deliberate exposure to antibodies or antigens

Question 14

Passive immunity

Answer 14

Acquired without the activation of the lymphocytes - provided by antibodies that have not been made by the person’s own immune system

Question 15

Active immunity

Answer 15

Acquired by the activation of the person’s own immune system

Question 16

Biodiversity

Answer 16

The range of habitats, the number of different species and their relative abundance, and the genetic diversity within a species within an area. It takes into account species richness and species evenness

Question 17

Habitat biodiversity

Answer 17

The range of habitats in which different species live

Question 18

Species biodiversity

Answer 18

The number of different species living in a habitat (species richness) and their relative abundance ( species evenness )

Question 19

Genetic biodiversity

Answer 19

Variation between individuals of the same species

Question 20

Species richness

Answer 20

The number of different species in a habitat

Question 21

Species evenness

Answer 21

Relative numbers of how many individuals in each species

Question 22

Locus

Answer 22

The position of the gene on the chromosome

Question 23

Species

Answer 23

A group of organisms similar in appearance, physiology and genetics whose members are able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Question 24

Habitat

Answer 24

The place where an organism lives

Question 25

Species

Answer 25

A group of organisms similar in appearance, physiology + genetics whose members are able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Question 26

Extinct

Answer 26

No members of a species remain + it ceases to exist

Question 27

Critically endangered

Answer 27

Likely to become extinct as the species numbers have become low due to man made or natural changes in the environment

Question 28

Conservation

Answer 28

Maintaining biodiversity between species, genetic biodiversity within species + a variety of habitats + ecosystems

Question 29

In situ conservation

Answer 29

Conserving a species in its normal habitat. Attempting to minimise human impact on the natural environment + protecting the natural environment + maintain biodiversity

Question 30

Ex situ conservation

Answer 30

Conserving an endangered species by activities that take place outside its normal environment

Question 31

Simpson’s index of biodiversity (D)

Answer 31

A measure of biodiversity as it takes into account species richness and species evenness

Question 32

Classification

Answer 32

Process of sorting living things into groups of similar organisms. Reflects how closely related they are and evolutionary relationships

Question 33

Taxonomy

Answer 33

The study of the principles behind classification - the study of the differences between species (physical and genetic)

Question 34

Phylogeny

Answer 34

The study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms, the study of how closely related they are

Question 35

Variation

Answer 35

Differences within a species or between different species

Question 36

Adaptation

Answer 36

A feature that enhances survival and long-term reproductive success

Question 37

Natural Selection

Answer 37

‘Selection’ by the environment of individuals that show certain favourable variations. These individuals will survive to reproduce and pass on their variations to the next generation

Question 38

Evolution

Answer 38

The gradual change in the characteristics of a species over many generations. Driven by selective pressure and natural selection

Question 39

Speciation

Answer 39

The formation of a new species from a pre-existing one

Question 40

Selective pressure

Answer 40

An external factor that drives evolution in a particular direction. It might cause competition between individuals or cause some organisms to die whilst others survive