Biodiversity

• What does species diversity measure?

  Number of different species and individuals
• What is genetic diversity?

  Variety of genes among individuals in a species
• What does ecosystem diversity refer to?

  Range of different habitats in an area
• Why is it important to know about biodiversity?

  To describe a range of habitats
• What does low biodiversity in a habitat indicate?

  It may not always be a concern
• What can cause a decrease in biodiversity?

  Human activity, such as farming practices
• What is selective breeding?

  Choosing plants or animals with desirable traits
• What is monoculture?

  Growing only one plant species in a field
• What is the effect of overgrazing?

  Reduces plant populations affecting food webs
• What is a compromise in farming practices?

  Balancing farming needs with biodiversity conservation
• What is the index of diversity used for?

  To monitor changes in biodiversity
• How does the index of diversity differ from species richness?

  It includes the number of individuals per species
• What does capital N represent in the index of diversity formula?

  Total number of organisms of all species
• What does lowercase n represent in the index of diversity formula?

  Population size of one species
• What does a larger index of diversity value indicate?

  Greater species diversity
• What are the common farming practices that reduce biodiversity?

  • Destruction of hedgerows
  • Selective breeding
  • Monoculture
  • Overgrazing
  • Draining wetlands
• What compromises can be made in farming to conserve biodiversity?

  • Limit hedgerow removal
  • Selective breeding in specific areas
  • Implement crop rotations
  • Grow multiple species in sections
• What are the components of Simpson's index of diversity?

  • Capital N: Total organisms of all species
  • Lowercase n: Population size of one species
• What is genetic diversity?

  The number of different alleles in a population
• Why is genetic diversity important for natural selection?

  It allows for variation in traits for selection
• What is the end result of natural selection?

  Evolution
• What does evolution refer to in the context of natural selection?

  Change in allele frequency over generations
• How does antibiotic resistance in bacteria illustrate natural selection?

  Resistance alleles increase in frequency over generations
• What happens to allele frequency after natural selection in bacteria?

  It changes, favoring resistant alleles
• What are the three types of adaptations?

  Anatomical, physiological, and behavioral
• What are anatomical adaptations?

  • Structural features of an organism
  • Examples include beak shape in birds
• What are physiological adaptations?

  • Related to chemical processes in the body
  • Examples include enzyme variations
• What are behavioral adaptations?

  • How organisms behave to survive
  • Example: Penguins huddling for warmth
• What is the first step in describing natural selection?

  Pointing out genetic diversity
• What causes genetic diversity in a population?

  Random gene mutations
• How does a new advantageous allele affect survival?

  It increases chances of survival and reproduction
• What happens to allele frequency in mice over generations?

  Dark fur allele becomes more common
• How does owl eyesight relate to natural selection?

  Good eyesight aids in hunting and survival
• What are the two types of natural selection?

  Directional and stabilizing selection
• What is directional selection?

  One extreme trait has a selective advantage
• When does directional selection occur?

  When there is a change in the environment
• What is stabilizing selection?

  The modal trait remains the selective advantage
• How does stabilizing selection affect allele frequency?

  It decreases the range of alleles in the population
• Why are moderate birth weights advantageous?

  They reduce complications for survival
• What is the overall process of natural selection?

  1. Genetic diversity exists in a population
  2. New alleles arise from mutations
  3. Advantageous alleles increase survival and reproduction
  4. Frequency of advantageous alleles rises over generations
  5. Leads to evolution and adaptation