01 Intro to Biodiversity and Taxonomy

• Biodiversity (biological diversity) = the variety of life in an area
• Characteristics of Life


  • Exhibit movement
  • Respond to their environment
  • Undergo growth and development
  • Have a lifespan
  • Have a metabolism (obtain and use energy)
  • Adapt and evolve
  • Reproduce
  • Maintain a balance with the external environment (homeostasis)
  • Contain hereditary material
  • Cellular organization
• Anabolic


  Metabolic process that builds up complex molecules from simpler ones
• Catabolic


  Metabolic process that breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones
• Types/Levels of Diversity


  • Genetic Diversity
  • Species Diversity
  • Ecosystem Diversity (aka Structural Diversity)
• Genetic Diversity


  The sum of all of the different genes in a species
• Species Diversity


  Refers to the variety of species in an area
• Ecosystem Diversity


  Refers to the range of habitats and organisms and the connections between them
• Global Species Extinction
• Human-Caused Threats to Biodiversity

  • Retrieved from: Here
• Why do we need to classify organisms? To be able to identify them!
• There are SOOOOOOOOOOO many species on the planet! Like 100 000 different kinds of wasps!
• Classification


  Grouping of similar things for a specific reason
• Until 1800's, all living things were put into two kingdoms, plants and animals
• Kingdoms


  • Archaea
  • Bacteria
  • Protista
  • Fungi
  • Plantae
  • Animalia
• Prokaryotic


  A smaller, simple type of cell that does not have a membrane-bound nucleus
• Eukaryotic


  A larger, complex type of cell that does have a membrane-bound nucleus
• Nutrition


  • Heterotrophic
  • Autotrophic
• Number of Cells


  • Unicellular
  • Multicellular
• Reproduction


  • Asexual
  • Sexual
• Habitat


  • Where does the organism live?
• Domains


  • Archaea
  • Bacteria
  • Eukarya
• Species


  A group of similar organisms useful for classification of organisms
• Hybrid: the crossbreeding of two species
• Species that reproduce asexually, are categorized based on traits = MORPHOLOGY
• Species: must meet three requirements - Organisms must be similar in structure, Organisms must breed under natural conditions, Offspring must be fertile
• Carl Linnaeus: developed system of naming and classifying organisms known as binomial nomenclature, father of modern taxonomy
• Binomial Nomenclature


  Each species is given a name that consists of two words, in Latin (universal language to scientists)
• Genus


  A group of organisms that are closely related and have similar characteristics
• Species


  A group of organisms that look alike and that are so similar that they can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
• Taxonomy


  The science of the classification of things
• 7 main taxon groups

  • Kingdom
  • Phylum
  • Class
  • Order
  • Family
  • Genus
  • Species
• Mnemonic: Kids Play Catch Over Farmer Green's Shed
• Dichotomous Keys


  A list of Yes or No questions used by scientists to identify relatedness
• If the organism you are trying to classify doesn't fit in your key...You've discovered a NEW SPECIES!
• Tips for Using Dichotomous Keys

  • Always read both choices
  • Be sure you understand the meaning of the terms involved. Do NOT guess!
  • When measurements are given, use a calibrated scale. Do NOT guess.
  • Since living things are always variable, do not base your conclusion on a single observation. Study several specimens to be sure your specimen is typical.
  • If the choice is not clear, for whatever reason, try both divisions. If you end up with two possible answers, read descriptions of the two choices to help you decide.
• Tips for Creating Dichotomous Keys

  • Use constant characteristics rather than variable ones
  • Use measurements rather than terms like "large" and "small"
  • Use characteristics that are generally available to the user of the key rather than seasonal characteristics of those seen only in the field.
  • If possible make the choice a positive one – something "is" instead of "is not"
  • If possible, start both choices of a pair with the same word and different pairs of choices with different words.
  • Precede the descriptive terms with the name of the part to which they apply.
  • List the traits that distinguish one organism from another.
  • Create a series of yes-or-no questions that guide users.
  • Use simple language and avoid jargon.
  • Group similar characteristics together.
  • Include images or illustrations to clarify features.
  • Thoroughly test and revise the key.