2.1 Classification & biodiversity

• classification - the process of grouping organisms into groups based on similarities and differences
• Classified groups - PLANTS,ANIMALS,FUNGI,PROTOCTISTS & BACTERIA
• classification is important because it is easier to identify organisms and helps communicate between scientists
• adaptions of organisms - morphological and behavioural
• behavioural - aspects of behaviour that aids survival, e.g bird calling
• Morphological - structural adaptions e.g camouflage
• plants compete for-light, water and minerals
• animals compete for- food, territory ,mating, and spaces to live
• biodiversity- the measure of the variety of living things within one area
• importance of biodiversity- safeguarding of food, used for medicine, reduces damage to food chains and stabilises ecosystems
• biodiversity is maintained by- reforestation, protection of endangered species, sustainable farming and legislation
• biological control - the use of living organisms to control pests
• Alien species - Species that are not native to an area and are not naturally occurring there
• native species - species that are native to an area and have adapted to the environment
• disadvantages to alien species - 1. habitat destruction 2. competition for food 3. disease 4.grow out of control 5.may carry diseases
• invasive species - non-indigenous species which spread rapidly and cause harm to the environment or economy
• control methods for invasive species - biological control, physical removal, chemical control
• Biological control - using natural predators to kill off invaders
• Chemical control - killing with chemicals such as herbicides
• Physical removal - removing plants from their habitats
• Biodiversity is the variety of life found within ecosystems
• Kingdom - largest group consisting of animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, single celled organisms
• Phylum - organisms with same basic structures, consisting of vertebrates, invertebrates, flowering plants and non flowering plants
• vertibrates - animals with a backbone, such as humans, birds, and reptiles
• invertebrates - species with no backbone
• invertebrates - species with no backbone
• class - closing related organisms sich as mammals, reptiles and amphibians
• family- e.g canidae: dogs wolves and foxes
• genus and species-smallest groups, closely related organisms able to interbreed and produce offspring
• binomial- a name for a species that is made up of two words, one for the genus and one for the species
• taxonomy- the study of classification and naming of organisms, and the relationships between organisms
• carl linnaeus- developed the binomial system of naming organisms, which is still used today
• interspecific competition - competition between the same species
• infraspecific - competition between different species
• advances of biological control- 1. no chemicals 2. no side effects 3. no damage to the environment
• disadvantages of biological control - 1. can be expensive 2. can be difficult to control 3. can be harmful to the environment
• advantages of chemical control - 100% effective, no damage to environment, no damage to crops
• disadvantages of chemical control - expensive, can be harmful to the environment, can be difficult to control, can be difficult to target the pests