Biology - Biodiversity and Classification

Biodiversity

The variety of living organisms in an area, including species diversity, genetic diversity and eco system diversity.

Interspecific competition

Competition between different species.

intraspecific competition

Competition between members of the same species.

Adaptations

Help organisms survive better in the environment in which they live.

morphological features

Affect the structure or shape of an organism.

behavioural features

Not physical features however they affect an organisms lifestyle or actions.

Animal competition

Food, mates and territory.

Plant competition

Water, minerals, light and space.

factors affecting population growth

• pollution

• food supply

• disease

• predation

conserving endangered species

• seed banks (doomsday vault)

• protecting habitats

• controlling alien species

benefits of biodiversity

• moral

• ecological

• health

• economic

interdependence

Some species may depend on each other for pollination or seed dispersal.

capture-recapture assumptions

• no death

• no immigration or emigration

• marking technique does not affect survival

classification

The grouping of organisms by comparing their similarities and differences. This is normally done to reflect the evolutionary relatedness between different species.

the five kingdom

• Animals

• Plants

• Protists

• Bacteria

• Fungi

order of classification

• Kingdom

• Phylum

• Class

• Order

• Family

• Genus

• Species

key features of a vertebrate

• have a backbone

• warm blooded

• give birth to live young

• produce milk

key features of a invertebrate

• no backbone

• cold blooded

key features of a mammal

• four limbs

• sweat glands

• hair or fur

• mammary (milk) glands

key features of a flowering plant

• may produce seeds

• reproduce

key features of a non flowering plant

• reproduce using spores

• no flowers or seeds

What equation is used to estimate a population size?

Population = number counted x total area sampled