BIO DIVERSITY

• What does diversity refer to in the context of living things?


  Variety of living things
• What is the process of grouping organisms according to common characteristics called?

  Classification or taxonomy
• What are the main characteristics used to group living things?

  • Feeding
  • Structure
  • Reproduction
• What are the five major groups (kingdoms) used to classify organisms?

  1. Monera (e.g., bacteria, blue-green algae)
  2. Protista (e.g., protozoa, protophyta)
  3. Fungi (e.g., mushrooms, toadstools)
  4. Animals (e.g., vertebrates, invertebrates)
  5. Plants (e.g., flowering, non-flowering)
• What is the largest group of organisms in classification?

  Kingdom
• What is the smallest group of organisms capable of producing fertile offspring?

  Species
• Why is it debatable whether viruses are living or non-living organisms?


  They do not feed, respire, or reproduce on their own
• What are some examples of bacteria?

  • Blue-green algae
  • E. coli
  • Spirilium
  • Bacillus
• What are the structural characteristics of bacteria?

  • Unicellular organisms
  • No nucleus; chromosomes not enclosed
  • Cell walls made of lipids, proteins, and sugars
  • Single circular chromosome of DNA
  • Some have flagella for movement
  • Some have a slime capsule
  • Different shapes: rods, spheres, spirals
  • Some have chlorophyll but no chloroplasts
• How do bacteria obtain food?


  • Photosynthesis (if they have chlorophyll)
  • From other living things (parasites)
  • From dead organic matter (saprophytes)
• How do saprophytes digest food?


  They secrete enzymes onto organic matter for external digestion
• How do bacteria reproduce asexually?


  By binary fission, dividing into two daughter cells
• How often can each cell division in bacteria occur?


  Every 20 minutes
• What is the process of genetic recombination in bacteria?


  Transfer of DNA between bacteria through special tubes
• What are the useful and harmful roles of bacteria?


  • Useful: Decompose organic matter, essential in biotechnology
  • Harmful: Cause diseases (pathogens), produce toxins
• What are bacteria that cause diseases called?

  Pathogens
• What is the host in the context of pathogenic bacteria?


  The organism in which they live and reproduce
• What are toxins produced by bacteria?


  Poisonous waste products
• What is the toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria?


  It can be as little as 0.0002g and is very fatal
• What are the structural characteristics of fungi?

  • Lack chlorophyll
  • Rigid cell walls containing chitin
  • Body usually a mycelium (network of hyphae)
  • Non-motile
• How do fungi reproduce asexually?


  By forming spores
• How do fungi absorb food?


  They absorb soluble food products without needing to digest
• What are the nutritional strategies of fungi?

  • Saprotrophs: Feed on dead organic matter
  • Parasites: Feed on living plants and animals
• What is Penicillium?


  • A genus of mould
  • Grows on decaying vegetable matter, damp leather, and citrus fruits
• What are the structural characteristics of protozoa?


  • Unicellular
  • No chlorophyll
  • Have a nucleus and cell membrane, but no cell wall
  • Have a contractile vacuole
  • Move using cilia or flowing movements of cytoplasmic fluids
• How do protozoa obtain nutrition?


  They are heterotrophic and feed on ready-made food materials
• How do protozoa reproduce asexually?


  By binary fission
• What disease is caused by a protozoan parasite?


  Malaria
• What is the life cycle of the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium?


  1. Transferred by Anopheles mosquito
  2. Develops in mosquito intestines
  3. Moves to salivary glands
  4. Enters human blood during a bite
  5. Reaches liver and reproduces
  6. Invades red blood cells
• What are the symptoms of malaria?


  • Chills
  • Violent shivering
  • Profuse sweating
  • Fever
  • Tiredness, increased pulse rate, and anemia
• How can malaria be treated?


  Through the use of drugs like chloroquine
• What are the methods for preventing and controlling malaria?

  • Use of drugs
  • Disturbing the life cycle of mosquitoes
• What are the structural characteristics of angiosperms (flowering plants)?


  • Large leaf surface for photosynthesis
  • Vascular system for transport
  • Cuticle to reduce water loss
  • Ovary to protect ovules and embryo
  • Range from small herbs to big trees
• What are the two groups of angiosperms?


  1. Monocotyledons
  2. Dicotyledons
• What are the characteristics of monocotyledons?


  • One seed leaf (1 cotyledon)
  • Vascular bundles scattered in the stem
  • Narrow leaves with parallel veins
• What are the characteristics of dicotyledons?


  • Two seed leaves (2 cotyledons)
  • Vascular bundles arranged in a ring
  • Broad leaves with net-like veins
• What can mosquito larva/pupa develop resistance to?


  Insecticides
• What is the effect of draining swamps on mosquito breeding?


  It prevents mosquitoes from breeding by eliminating places to lay eggs
• What is a potential problem of draining swamps for mosquito control?


  Livestock may not have water to drink
• What percentage of plants are angiosperms?


  More than 80%