Biodiversity and Evolution

• What is biodiversity?


  The variety of living organisms on Earth
• How has biodiversity changed over time?


  It has become more extensive but is now threatened by human activity
• What are two human activities threatening biodiversity?

  Deforestation and agriculture
• What is species richness?


  The number of different species in a community
• How can species richness be measured?


  By counting the number of species present
• What is random sampling in biodiversity studies?


  A method to obtain a representative sample of an area
• What is systematic sampling?


  A method where a particular pattern is followed
• What is opportunistic sampling?


  A sampling method based on ease of access
• What is stratified sampling?


  A method where the population is subdivided into strata based on characteristics
• How is species evenness defined?


  As a comparison of abundance of different species in a habitat
• What does genetic diversity measure?


  The genetic variation found in a particular species
• How can genetic diversity be determined?


  By calculating the heterozygosity index (H)
• What is the formula for the heterozygosity index (H)?


  $H =$$\frac{\text{number of heterozygotes}}{\text{number of individuals in the population}}$
• What is the formula for the index of diversity (D)?


  $D =$$\frac{N}{n}$
• Why is maintaining biodiversity important?


  For ecological, economic, and aesthetic reasons
• What are the methods of conserving biodiversity?


  • In situ methods: marine conservation zones, wildlife reserves
  • Ex situ methods: zoos, seed banks, botanic gardens
• How do zoos contribute to conservation?


  By using scientific research, captive breeding, reintroduction, and education programs
• What is the purpose of captive breeding programs?


  To increase genetic diversity and population size of endangered species
• What do reintroduction programs aim to achieve?


  To release animals bred in captivity into their natural habitat
• What is the role of seed banks in biodiversity conservation?


  To store seeds and conserve genetic diversity
• How are seeds stored in seed banks?


  In cool, dry conditions to maximize storage time
• Why is international cooperation necessary for biodiversity conservation?


  Because biodiversity issues cross national boundaries
• What are the five kingdoms of classification?


  Animals, plants, fungi, prokaryotes, and protoctists
• What is the binomial system of naming species?


  A system where the first part is the genus and the second part is the species
• What is molecular phylogeny?


  The analysis of molecular differences to determine evolutionary relatedness
• What are the three domains of life?


  Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota
• What is a niche in ecology?


  The role of a species within its environment
• How does natural selection work?


  Fitter individuals survive and pass on advantageous genes
• What are anatomical adaptations?


  Physical adaptations, either external or internal
• What are behavioral adaptations?


  Changes in behavior that improve survival chances
• What are physiological adaptations?


  Processes inside an organism's body that increase survival chances
• What is evolution?


  The process by which allele frequencies change over time
• What is the first step in evolution via natural selection?


  There is a variety of phenotypes within a population
• What happens when an environmental change occurs?

  The selection pressure changes, affecting survival
• What is the result of advantageous alleles in a population?


  They provide a selective advantage for survival and reproduction
• What occurs over time as advantageous alleles are passed on?


  The frequency of alleles in a population changes
• What happens when two populations become reproductively isolated?


  New species will be formed due to genetic divergence
• Who is Charles Darwin?


  A scientist who provided evidence for the theory of evolution
• What did Darwin observe about finches on the Galapagos Islands?


  They were related due to many similarities and adapted to their environment
• What is the significance of fossils in evolution?


  They provide a timeline for changes in organisms