Science Test

What is biological diversity?

The variety of life on Earth, reflected in the different species and ecosystems.

What are the key concepts covered in this unit?

Biological diversity, species and populations, diversity within species, habitat diversity, niches, and natural selection of genetic characteristics.

What is the role of variation in species survival?

Variation among species and within species plays a critical role in survival by allowing adaptation to changing environments.

How do living things pass characteristics to future generations?

Through reproduction, where DNA is inherited from parents to offspring.

What is the impact of human activity on biological diversity?

Human activities can lead to habitat loss, reduction of species, and increased extinction rates.

What is the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y)?

A joint Canadian-U.S. network of over 270 organizations aimed at preserving the interconnected ecosystems from Yellowstone to Yukon.

What is the significance of the Rocky Mountains for carnivores?

They serve as an important travel corridor for wide-ranging carnivores like wolves and grizzly bears.

What is conservation biology?

A field that combines landscape ecology, economics, species variation, and genetics to address the preservation of biological diversity.

What factors influence wolf populations in Jasper National Park?

Environmental conditions, availability of prey, and control programs.

How many species of mammals are found in Alberta?

95 species, with some considered at risk or sensitive.

What is a species?

A group of organisms that share the same structure and can reproduce with one another.

What is the estimated number of species on Earth?

Biologists estimate there are between 30 million and 100 million kinds of organisms.

What is the current trend in extinction rates?

The rate of extinction is rising, increasingly attributed to human influences.

What is the average number of wolves per 1000 km² in Jasper National Park?

Four wolves per 1000 km² is considered a low number.

What is the estimated habitat loss in Canada?

97 hectares of natural habitat are destroyed every hour.

What are niches in the context of biological diversity?

Roles or positions that species occupy within their ecosystems, which can affect their survival.

What is the relationship between species survival and interdependence?

The survival of one species may depend on another, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

What is the importance of genetic variation?

Genetic variation is crucial for the adaptability and resilience of species in changing environments.

What was the journey of Pluie the wolf significant for?

It highlighted the importance of travel corridors for wildlife and inspired conservation initiatives.

What is the role of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)?

An environmental advocacy group that collaborates on conservation efforts within the Y2Y initiative.

What does the term 'habitat diversity' refer to?

The variety of different habitats within an ecosystem, which supports a range of species.

What is the significance of the black-footed ferret in Alberta?

It has disappeared from Alberta, representing the risks faced by certain species.

What is the purpose of the project at the end of this unit?

To apply knowledge of ecosystem, species, and genetic diversity to develop strategies for maintaining biological diversity.

How many species are estimated to exist today?

Scientists estimate there are between 30 million and 100 million kinds of organisms.

What percentage of species that have ever lived on Earth are alive today?

Only about 1% of all species that have ever lived are alive today.

What are the characteristics shared by all living things?

All living things are made of cells, need energy, grow and develop, reproduce, and have adaptations for their environment.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a system where living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things interact in a shared environment.

What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

Abiotic factors include non-living elements such as air, water, and sunlight.

What is a population in ecological terms?

A population is all the members of a species living in a specific area sharing the same resources.

What is a community in an ecosystem?

A community consists of different populations of various species living in the same area.

What is genetic diversity?

Genetic diversity refers to the variations between members of a population.

Give an example of an organism with high genetic diversity.

The banded snail shows a wide range of variation in shell color and banding.

How does human intervention affect genetic diversity?

Humans can reduce genetic diversity by breeding plants and animals for specific traits.

Where is biological diversity greatest on Earth?

Biological diversity is greatest in tropical regions, particularly tropical rainforests.

What trend is observed in species diversity as one moves from the equator to the poles?

Species diversity decreases as one moves from tropical regions to temperate and polar regions.

What is the six-kingdom system of classification?

The six-kingdom system includes Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Who developed the system for naming and classifying organisms?

Carolus Linnaeus developed a system for naming and classifying organisms in the 18th century.

What is the significance of Linnaeus's naming system?

Linnaeus's system brought worldwide consistency to the naming of species using Latin.

What are the six natural regions of Alberta?

The regions are Canadian Shield, Boreal Forest, Foothills, Rocky Mountain, Parkland, and Grassland.

What is the relationship between ecosystems and abiotic factors?

Ecosystems are shaped by the interaction of living organisms with abiotic factors like climate and soil.

What is the role of ecosystems in supporting biodiversity?

Ecosystems provide habitats and resources that support a variety of species and their interactions.

How do variations within a species occur?

Variations occur due to genetic differences among individuals in a population.

What is an example of a community in an ecosystem?

A park with populations of magpies, aspen trees, grasses, and gophers represents a community.

What factors contribute to the diversity of ecosystems?

The number and types of species and abiotic elements contribute to ecosystem diversity.

What is the significance of the Arctic and Antarctic regions in terms of biodiversity?

The Arctic and Antarctic regions contain the lowest biological diversity on Earth.

What is the impact of climate on species distribution?

Climate influences the distribution of species, with more species found in warmer, tropical climates.

What does the first word in the scientific name of an organism represent?

The genus to which the organism belongs.

What does the second word in the scientific name of an organism indicate?

The particular species of the organism.

Can two species have the same scientific name?

No, no two species can have the same name.

What is the scientific name for the red wolf?

Canis rufus.

What is the scientific name for the timber wolf?

Canis lupus.

What is the scientific name for the domestic dog?

Canis familiaris.

What was Linnaeus's approach to classifying species?

He arranged species based on their physical structure.

Why is Latin used in the classification system?

Because it is a dead language that does not change over time.

What are the five kingdoms in the classification system?

Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera.

What is the plural form of phylum?

Phyla.

What is the order of classification from kingdom to species?

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

What is the classification of the white spruce?

Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Coniferophyta, Class: Pinopsida, Order: Pinales, Family: Pinaceae, Genus: Picea, Species: Picea glauca.

What is the classification of the bull trout?

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Osteichthyes, Order: Salmoniformes, Family: Salmonidae, Genus: Salvelinus, Species: Salvelinus confluentus.

What is the classification of the wolf?

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Family: Canidae, Genus: Canis, Species: Canis lupus.

Why is there more biological diversity closer to the equator?

Due to warmer temperatures and more stable climates that support a wider range of species.

What is the significance of coral reefs in terms of biological diversity?

Coral reefs support many different communities of organisms and are rich in species diversity.

What are the two types of charts commonly used to represent data in biology?

Pie charts and bar graphs.

What is the estimated ratio of insect species to mammal species?

214 to 1.

What is the role of coral polyps in coral reefs?

They form the living layer of the reef and provide energy through photosynthesis with the help of algae.

What is the importance of preserving biological diversity?

It is crucial for ecosystem stability, resilience, and the overall health of the planet.

What is the classification of the smallpox virus?

Kingdom: Monera, Phylum: Virus (not typically classified in traditional kingdoms).

What is the size of the flu virus in nanometers?

100 nm.

What is the size of the yellow fever virus?

22 nm.

What is the size of the polio virus?

20 nm.

What is the size of the foot and mouth virus?

10 nm.

What is interdependence in ecology?

Interdependence refers to the reliance of different species on one another for resources, survival, and ecosystem balance.

How do male and female red-eyed vireos avoid competition?

Male red-eyed vireos forage in the upper canopy (9-15 m), while females forage in the lower canopy and near the ground (0-3 m), overlapping only about 35% in their feeding areas.

What role do plants play in the ecosystem?

Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis and provide shelter for many organisms, forming a crucial part of the food web.

What is the predator-prey relationship?

It is a dynamic where predators control prey populations, preventing overpopulation and starvation, thus benefiting the prey population by allowing healthier individuals to survive.

What is symbiosis?

Symbiosis is an association between members of different species that can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful to the organisms involved.

What is commensalism?

In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed, such as barnacles on whales.

What is mutualism?

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit, such as lichens, which consist of fungi and algae.

What is parasitism?

Parasitism is a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another, such as a tapeworm in a human's intestine.

How do predators benefit prey populations?

Predators help maintain healthy prey populations by capturing the old, sick, or weak individuals, allowing stronger members to survive and reproduce.

What is the significance of niches in an ecosystem?

Niches describe the role of an organism within an ecosystem, allowing multiple species to coexist by occupying different roles and reducing competition.

What is interspecies competition?

Interspecies competition occurs when two or more species compete for the same resource, leading to limited availability and potential starvation.

What is mycorrhizae?

Mycorrhizae are associations between plants and fungi that enhance nutrient absorption for plants and provide carbohydrates for fungi.

What happens to lynx and snowshoe hare populations in their predator-prey relationship?

If the lynx population grows too large, it can deplete the snowshoe hare population, leading to a subsequent decrease in lynx numbers due to starvation.

How do flowering plants and insects interact?

Flowering plants depend on insects for pollination, while insects rely on plants for food, demonstrating mutualistic interdependence.

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What is an example of commensalism involving birds?

A bird building its nest in a tree is an example of commensalism, as the bird benefits while the tree is not affected.

What is the relationship between the bull's horn acacia tree and ants?

The bull's horn acacia tree provides food and shelter to ants, while the ants protect the tree from herbivores, exemplifying mutualism.

What is the role of galls in plant-insect interactions?

Galls provide a habitat and food source for insects, demonstrating a form of symbiotic relationship.

How does the relationship between bees and the Clusia flower illustrate mutualism?

Bees pollinate the Clusia flower while receiving a sticky resin with antibiotic properties, benefiting both species.

What is the importance of adaptations in symbiotic relationships?

Adaptations help organisms survive and thrive in their unique environments, especially in symbiotic relationships where survival is interdependent.

What is the impact of competition on population sizes?

Competition for resources can limit population sizes, leading to increased mortality rates due to starvation.

What is the ecological significance of the food chain?

The food chain illustrates the flow of energy and nutrients through different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

What does an organism's niche include?

An organism's niche includes what it eats, what eats it, its habitat, nesting site, range, and its effects on surrounding populations and environment.

How can the niche of a population vary in different areas?

The niche occupied by a population may differ due to variations in food supply and competitors in different areas.

How does the niche of a frog change throughout its life?

The frog tadpole lives in an aquatic environment and consumes plant matter, while the adult frog lives in both aquatic and terrestrial environments and is carnivorous.

What is resource partitioning?

Resource partitioning is when similar species coexist by having slightly different niches, allowing them to utilize resources without direct competition.

Give an example of resource partitioning among warblers.

Five species of warblers feed on spruce bud worms at different parts of the tree, thus avoiding direct competition.

What are the three types of symbiotic relationships?

The three types are mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.

What is variability within a species?

Variability is the genetic differences among individuals within a species, which can affect traits such as appearance.