Topic 1: what is biological diversity Flashcards

• diversity of life on earth arose through the process of what?

  evolution
• why is all life on earth related?

  because it evolved from a common ancestor
• what is evolution?

  it is the process of change that continuously transforms life on Earth
• An organisms adaptations to its environmental are the result of what?


  evolution
• What is adaptation?

  an organisms traits that enhance survival and reproduction
• what plant evolved poisonous chemicals that are used for the cancer drug Taxol?

  Canada yew
• what drug does the Canada yew secret as a poisonous chemical?

  Taxol
• Organisms are modified descendants of what?

  common ancestors
• what is the universal genetic language common to all organisms?

  DNA
• why do species share common traits?


  because they descended from common ancestors
• what is an example of unity in biological diversity?


  species sharing common traits
• what are some examples of shared traits of mammals? (3)

  • terrestrially adapted amniotic eggs
  • body hair
  • produce milk to feed their young
• what are differences between species caused by?

  they're caused by the accumulation of heritable changes after the species diverged from their common ancestor.
• what is an example of diversity among species

  flightless birds lost their ability to fly because it was not needed anymore due to the lack of predators
• what is biological diversity?

  the variety of life on earth
• approximately how many species are named and described on earth?

  ~1.8 million
• approximately how many species exist on earth

  10-100 million
• what is the 2011 estimate for how many eukaryotes are on earth

  8.7 million
• what are the three main components of biological diversity?

  • genetic diversity
  • species diversity
  • ecosystem diversity
• what is genetic diversity?

  the genetic variation within a population and between populations within a species
• what is a population?

  is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed, producing fertile offspring.
• What provides the raw material for evolution?

  variations in populations (genetic diversity)
• What is species diversity?


  all the variety of species of animals, plants, insects, and micro-organisms that occur in an area
• what is the most well-known and easily recognized unit of biodiversity?

  species diversity
• most biodiversity studies or monitoring programs measure the what

  number of species at a site or in a particular habitat
• human activities threaten what?

  earths species diveristy
• high rates of species extinction is largely the result of what?

  ecosystem degradation by humans
• What is ecosystem diversity?

  the variety of different habitats in a region and their patterns and linkages across the landscape
• what is an ecosystem?

  where species live, connect and interact
• human activity is reducing what?

  ecosystem diversity
• what are the four benefits of biodiversity?

  • provisioning services
  • regulating services
  • supporting services
  • cultural services
• benefits of biodiversity: what are provisioning services?

  are the products that WE obtain from nature including our food, raw materials, medicines, energy, water and genetic resources.
• what industries does provisioning services support?

  • agriculture
  • forestry
  • fishery
  • pharmaceuticals
• what does provisioning services sustain?

  rural peoples' livelihoods across the globe
• loss of species also means loss of what?

  genetic diversity
• benefits of biodiversity: what are regulating services?

  the benefits humans receive beyond raw materials
• benefits of biodiversity: what are supporting services?

  ecosystem services that are critical to biosphere viability.
• what are examples of regulating services? (4)

  • climate regulation
  • purification of water
  • air-pollination
  • pest control
• what are examples of supporting services? (5)

  • production of oxygen
  • absorption of CO2
  • cycling of biomass
  • nutrients
  • water-providing habitats
• benefits of biodiversity: what are cultural services?

  the intangible, non-material benefits people obtain from nature and ecosystems