Biodivers & Nat Resources

• What is biodiversity?

  The variety of living organisms
• How is biodiversity currently being threatened?

  By human activities like deforestation
• What are the two main measures of biodiversity?

  • Species richness: number of different species
  • Genetic diversity: genetic variation in a species
• How is genetic diversity measured?

  By the number of alleles in a gene pool
• How do you calculate the heterozygosity index (H)?

  H = number of heterozygotes / total individuals
• What does the index of diversity (D) measure?

  It compares biodiversity between habitats
• What is endemism?

  Species unique to a specific location
• What is an ecological niche?

  It is a species' role within the community
• What happens when species share the same niche?

  They compete, and better-adapted species survive
• What is the basis of natural selection?

  Better adapted species survive and reproduce
• What are the three types of adaptations organisms can have?

  • Anatomical adaptations: physical features
  • Behavioural adaptations: changes in behavior
  • Physiological adaptations: internal processes
• What is the process of natural selection?

  Fitter individuals survive and pass on alleles
• What does evolution refer to in biology?

  Changes in allele frequency over time
• What are the steps of evolution via natural selection?

  1. Variety of phenotypes exists
  2. Environmental change occurs
  3. Selection pressure changes
  4. Advantageous alleles allow survival
  5. Alleles are passed to offspring
  6. Allele frequency changes over time
• What does the Hardy-Weinberg equation estimate?

  The frequency of alleles in a population
• What does 'p' represent in the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

  The frequency of the dominant allele
• What is the equation for a population in genetic equilibrium?

  p + q = 1.0
• What are the conditions for the Hardy-Weinberg equation to hold?

  No mutations, random mating, large population
• What is speciation?

  The formation of new species over time
• What are the two types of speciation?

  Allopatric and sympatric speciation
• What is the five-kingdom model of classification?

  • Animals
  • Plants
  • Fungi
  • Protists
  • Monera
• What is the binomial system of naming species?

  Genus name followed by species name
• What is molecular phylogeny?

  Analysis of molecular differences for evolutionary relationships
• What are the three domains in the Three-Domain model of classification?

  • Bacteria
  • Archaea
  • Eukaryota
• How does the scientific community evaluate data?

  • Findings published in scientific journals
  • Evidence studied through peer review
• What are the unique structures found in plant cells?

  • Cell wall
  • Plasmodesmata
  • Pits
  • Chloroplasts
  • Amyloplasts
  • Vacuole
• What is the function of chloroplasts?

  Site of photosynthesis in plant cells
• What is the role of vacuoles in plant cells?

  Provides strength and support to the cell
• What are the types of saccharides in carbohydrates?

  • Monosaccharides
  • Disaccharides
  • Polysaccharides
• How are glycosidic bonds formed?

  Through condensation reactions between saccharides
• What is cellulose made of?

  Long chains of beta glucose
• What is the function of xylem vessels?

  Transport water and minerals in plants
• What do phloem vessels do?

  Involved in translocation of food substances
• What are the uses of plant fibers for humans?

  • Sustainable and renewable resource
  • Biodegradable products
  • Strong materials for ropes and fabrics
  • Cheaper production than oil-based products
  • Starch for bioplastics and bioethanol
• What is the role of water in plants?

  Photosynthesis, rigidity, transport, thermoregulation
• Why are magnesium ions important for plants?

  Involved in chlorophyll production and enzyme activation
• What do nitrate ions supply for plants?

  Nitrogen for DNA, RNA, proteins, chlorophyll
• What is the role of calcium ions in plants?

  Component of cell wall and essential for growth
• Who conducted the digitalis soup experiment?

  William Withering
• What are the three phases of contemporary drug testing?

  1. Phase 1: Safety testing on small group
  2. Phase 2: Effectiveness testing on patients
  3. Phase 3: Large group effectiveness and side effects