Biodiversity

• What is the definition of Biodiversity?


  the variety of living organisms in an area
• What is the definition of Habitat?


  the place where an organism lives
• What is the definition of Community?


  all the populations of different species in the same area at the same time
• what is a species?

  a group of similar organisms which can reproduce to give fertile offspring
• What is the name for a system for grouping organisms based on how recently they had a common ancestor?

  Phylogenetic classification
• Phylogenetic classification system is hierarchical. What does this mean?

  • there is no overlap between groups at same level
  • each group must be smaller than the one above it
• How have biologists methods for identifying common ancestors changed over time?

  • biologists used to rely on physical features and courtship behaviour to predict whether organisms had a recent common ancestor
  • recently, scientific progress in genome sequences and immunology have provided more advanced methods
• Name the taxon from largest to smallest

  • Domain
  • Kingdom
  • phylum
  • class
  • order
  • family
  • genus
  • species
• Explain how courtship behaviour promotes a species’ survival

  encourages a bond between two organisms which may help them successfully raise their offspring
• what is species richness?

  The number of different species in a community
• define population

  Group of organisms of same species (can interbreed to produce fertile offspring) living in same habitat at same time
• Define ecosystem

  A community and the non-living components of an environment. Ecosystems can range in size form very small to very large
• Define niche

  An organisms role within an ecosystem which is governed by adaptations to abiotic and biotic conditions
• Describe three ways in which courtship behaviour increases the chance of successful mating

  - identify the same species

  - indicates sexual maturity/ ability to mate

  - identify male and female

  - stimulation of release of gametes