Biological Diversity Flashcards

What is a niche?

The role an organism fills in its environment. Roles can be producer, consumer, decomposer, prey, predator, etc.

Population

A group of organism of the same species living in the same area at the same time.

Define biological diversity and explain why it is important to ecosystems

The variety of different species of plants, animals, and other organisms in an ecosystem it helps keep the ecosystem, healthy, balance, balanced

What is a species? What characteristics define a species?

A group of organisms that share similar, genetic makeup and physical characteristics, organisms of the same species can usually reproduce fertile offspring

What is a broad niche?

When an organism can survive and thrive in a variety of environment, they’re called generalist. This could be a squirrel, deer, magpie, etc.

What is a narrow Niche?

What animals can live in the same area and avoid competition, But may be more susceptible to changes in their Environment. these organisms are called Specialist.

Define the three types of symbiotic relationships, and give an example of each

1. Parasitism: One organism benefits, and the others harmed

2. Commensalism: What organism benefits and the other is not affected negatively or positively

3. Mutualism: both organisms benefit

What is an adaptation?

A trait or behaviour that helps an organism survive in its ecosystem

What are the three types of adaptation?

1. Structural adaptation: physical features or body parts that helps an organism survive and its Ecosystem (EX: polar bears, thick fur)

2. Behavioural adaptations: actions or behaviours that organisms do to help them survive in their environment (EX: birds Migrating)

3. Physiological adaptation: Internal body processes or functions that help an organism survive in its environment (EX: dog panting)

What is Binary fission?

When the contents of the cell are duplicated, including the nucleus and its genetic material the cell then splits into two identical daughter cells. Used by many single celled organisms.

What is sexual reproduction are advantages and disadvantages of it?

Occurs when genetic material is combined from one or two parents.

Advantages: variation/Unique, organism is more protected from environmental changes and disease.

Disadvantages: requires to organisms and more energy

How does a plant go through sexual reproduction?

when male and female gametes join together to form a zygote. The zygote then develops into an embryo inside a seed.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages for both internal and external fertilization

INTERNAL FERTILIZATION:

• Advantage: Fertilization will likely occur because gametes are protected Inside of the organism

• Disadvantage: requires more energy and usually produces Fewer offspring

EXTERNAL FERTILIZATION:

• Advantage: The offspring can be produced at once

• Disadvantage: gametes Are exposed To the environment so they may not survive

Continuous variation

An inherited trait with a large range of possible characteristic outcomes (EX: height)

Discrete variation

An inherited trait with a limited number of variations(EX: blood type)

Interspecific competition

Competition between different species for the same limited source (EX: lions and hyenas competing for the same prey)

Infraspecific competition

Competition between individual organisms of the same species

What is the diversity index?

A measure of biological diversity of an area

Speciation

The evolution of different species from a single ancestor

How can variation help any particular species to survive?

Variation helps a species survive because some individuals have traits that help them adapt to changes in their environment and survive to reproduce.

How do biologists use the diversity index to determine the health of an ecosystem?

Biologists use the diversity index to measure the variety of species in an ecosystem; a higher diversity index usually means a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.

What two main factors are used to describe an organisms niche?

where an organism lives (its habitat) and what it does to survive (its role in the ecosystem).

DNA

Chemical that makes up genes and chromosomes

Chromosomes

Strands of tightly packed DNA, located in the nucleus of the cell

What is Mitosis? Describe their chromosomes and genetic makeup.

The process in which one cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. The parents cell has four chromosomes, and the daughter cell has four chromosomes. Their genetic makeup is identical.

What is meiosis? Describe their chromosomes and genetic makeup

The process, and which one cell divides to produce for genetically different cells. The parent cell has four chromosomes, and the daughter cells have two genetic make up varies.

What is genetic engineering

The process changing an organism’s DNA to give specific traits or characteristics

What are biotechnologies

The use of loving organism cells or biological processes to develop products and technologies that benefit humans

Transgenic

Describes an organism that has had a gene from another organism, inserted into its DNA through genetic engineering

What is artificial selection?

When humans choose, which plants or animals reproduce based on desirable traits overtime, these traits become more common in offspring

What is natural selection?

The process in which organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits onto their offspring over generations these Hopeful traits become more common in the population

What are the four statements of natural selection?

1. All organisms produce more offspring than can possibly survive

2. There is incredible variation within species

3. Some variations increase the chances and organism will reproduce

4. Variations that are passed to offspring lead to changes in genetic characteristics of an organism and overall population

What is each part and what does it do?

1. Stigma — catches pollen.

2. Anther — produces pollen.

3. Ovule — contains the female reproductive cell and can develop into a seed after fertilization.

4. Petal — attracts pollinators.

5. Anther — produces pollen.

6. Filament — holds up the anther.

What are two examples where plants can reproduce asexually and sexually?

1. Asexual reproduction: Strawberries grow new plants from runners, and potatoes grow new plants from tubers.

2. Sexual reproduction: Apple trees reproduce through pollination and fertilization, and sunflowers produce seeds after fertilization

Describe external fertilization

when the sperm and egg join outside the female’s body, usually in water.

Describe internal fertilization

when the sperm and egg join inside the female’s body.

Explain what causes cancer using the vocabulary mutagens and mutation(s)

Cancer can be caused by mutations in DNA that make cells grow and divide uncontrollably. Mutagens, such as UV radiation and certain chemicals, can cause these mutations.

What are advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction

ADVANTAGE: time efficient (no need to search for a mate), requires less energy

DISADVANTAGE: no variation, if the parent has genetic disease, offspring will as well

What are advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction?

ADVANTAGE: variation, organism is more protected from environmental changes and disease

DISADVANTAGE:requires more energy (requires to organisms to mate)

Extirpation

is when a species becomes extinct in one specific area but still exists in other parts of the world.

Bioindicator species

An organism whose presence, absence, or condition helps scientists determine the health of an ecosystem.