Diversity Unit Review

what is the importance of biodiversity?

• Ecosystem Stability – Diverse ecosystems can better withstand and recover from environmental changes, such as climate shifts or natural disasters.

• Food Security – Biodiversity ensures a variety of crops and livestock, reducing the risk of disease wiping out food sources.

• Medical & Scientific Benefits – Many medicines are derived from plants, fungi, and animals. Losing biodiversity means losing potential cures.

• Ecosystem Services – Biodiversity supports essential processes like pollination, water purification, air quality, and nutrient cycling.

• Economic Benefits – Industries like agriculture, fishing, and tourism rely on diverse ecosystems to thrive.

name a place with high biodiversity and low biodiversity?

A place with high biodiversity: The Amazon Rainforest – It has millions of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.

A place with low biodiversity: The Arctic – Harsh conditions limit the number of species that can survive, leading to a much lower level of biodiversity compared to tropical regions.

what are the 9 taxa discussed in this unit, in order?

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

Which two taxa are used in binomial nomenclature?

Binomial nomenclature is the scientific system for naming organisms using two Latin-based names: Genus and Species. It was developed by Carl Linnaeus to create a standardized naming system worldwide.

• The Genus name is capitalized (e.g., Homo).

• The Species name is lowercase (e.g., sapiens).

Describe the 3 domains?

1. Bacteria 🦠

• Type: Single-celled prokaryotes (no nucleus).

• Structure: Simple cells with no membrane-bound organelles.

• Reproduction: Asexual (binary fission).

• Examples: Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus (causes strep throat).

• Where they live: Almost everywhere—soil, water, inside living organisms.

2. Archaea 🔥

• Type: Single-celled prokaryotes, but different from bacteria.

• Structure: Cell walls and membranes made of unique lipids, allowing survival in extreme environments.

• Reproduction: Asexual (binary fission).

• Examples: Methanogens (produce methane), Halophiles (live in salty environments).

• Where they live: Extreme places like hot springs, deep-sea vents, and highly salty waters.

3. Eukarya 🌱🦁🍄

• Type: Eukaryotes—cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

• Structure: Complex cells with organelles like mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plants), and a nucleus.

• Reproduction: Asexual or sexual, depending on the organism.

• Includes:

  • Animals (e.g., humans, lions)

  • Plants (e.g., trees, flowers)

  • Fungi (e.g., mushrooms, yeast)

  • Protists (e.g., amoebas, algae)

• Where they live: Found everywhere, from oceans to forests to inside other organisms.

What are the 6 kingdoms?

"Aunt Betty Prefers Furry Angry Penguins."

• A – Archaea 🔥

• B – Bacteria 🦠

• P – Protista 🌊

• F – Fungi 🍄

• A – Animalia 🦁

• P – Plantae 🌱

Describe Animalia 🦁?

• Cell Type: Eukaryotic

• Cellular Organization: Multicellular

• Reproduction: Mostly Sexual

• Trophic Type: Heterotrophic (ingestive)

• Number of Phyla: ~35

• Example: Humans, Dogs, Fish, Insects

Describe Archaea?

• Cell Type: Prokaryotic (no nucleus)

• Cellular Organization: Unicellular

• Reproduction: Asexual (binary fission)

• Trophic Type: Autotrophic (chemosynthesis) or Heterotrophic

• Number of Phyla: ~4

• Example: Methanogens (produce methane, live in extreme environments)

Describe bacteria?

• Cell Type: Prokaryotic

• Cellular Organization: Unicellular

• Reproduction: Asexual (binary fission)

• Trophic Type: Autotrophic (photosynthesis) or Heterotrophic (consume organic material)

• Number of Phyla: ~30+

• Example: Escherichia coli (E. coli) (found in intestines, can be helpful or harmful)

Describe protista?

• Cell Type: Eukaryotic (has a nucleus)

• Cellular Organization: Mostly unicellular, some multicellular

• Reproduction: Asexual or sexual

• Trophic Type: Autotrophic (photosynthesis) or Heterotrophic (consume other organisms)

• Number of Phyla: ~30

• Example: Amoeba (moves with pseudopodia), Algae (photosynthetic)

Describe Fungi?

• Cell Type: Eukaryotic

• Cellular Organization: Mostly multicellular, some unicellular (yeast)

• Reproduction: Asexual (spores, budding) or Sexual (spores)

• Trophic Type: Heterotrophic (absorptive) (decomposers)

• Number of Phyla: ~6

• Example: Mushrooms, Mold, Yeast

Describe Plantae?

• Cell Type: Eukaryotic

• Cellular Organization: Multicellular

• Reproduction: Asexual (vegetative) or Sexual (seeds, spores)

• Trophic Type: Autotrophic (photosynthesis)

• Number of Phyla: ~12

• Example: Oak trees, Flowers, Grass

Describe the structure of viruses?

Viruses are tiny infectious agents that consist of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protective protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell, which is studded with glycoproteins that help the virus attach to and enter host cells.

what are viruses similarities and differences to living things?

Similarities to Living Things:

• Genetic Material: Like living organisms, viruses contain DNA or RNA, which carries the information needed for replication.

• Evolution: Viruses can mutate and evolve over time through natural selection, much like living species.

Differences from Living Things:

• Cellular Structure: Viruses lack the cellular components of living organisms; they don’t have membranes, organelles, or a nucleus.

• Metabolism: They do not perform metabolic processes on their own and cannot produce energy.

• Reproduction: Viruses cannot replicate independently; they must hijack a host cell’s machinery to reproduce.

Describe the lytic and lysogenic cycle of viruses

Lytic Cycle:

• The virus attaches to a host cell and injects its genetic material.

• It then hijacks the host's machinery to replicate viral components.

• New viruses are assembled inside the cell, which eventually bursts (lyses), releasing the viruses to infect new cells.

Lysogenic Cycle:

• The virus attaches to the host cell and integrates its genetic material into the host's genome as a "prophage."

• The viral DNA is replicated along with the host's DNA during cell division, remaining dormant.

• Under certain conditions, the prophage may reactivate, enter the lytic cycle, and produce new viruses.

In short, the lytic cycle immediately destroys the host cell to spread new viruses, while the lysogenic cycle allows the virus to hide within the host's genome until conditions trigger active replication.

Describe how vaccines work?

A vaccine works by introducing a harmless piece or a weakened form of a pathogen (or part of it) into your body. This prompts your immune system to:

• Recognize the Threat: The vaccine presents specific antigens—proteins or other molecules—that signal the presence of a foreign invader.

• Generate a Response: Your immune system produces antibodies and activates other cells to fight off the perceived threat.

• Build Memory: After the initial response, your body creates memory cells that “remember” the antigen.

• Rapid Defense: If you’re exposed to the actual pathogen later, these memory cells help your immune system quickly recognize and neutralize it, often preventing illness or reducing its severity.

Describe how human actions limit biodiversity?

Human activities are dramatically changing our environment and reducing biodiversity. For example, habitat destruction from deforestation and urban expansion eliminates natural areas, while pollution like plastic waste harms marine life. Climate change is causing coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef, and overfishing is depleting fish populations. Additionally, the spread of invasive species, such as the cane toad in Australia, disrupts native ecosystems.