Biodiversity

Question 1

Binomial system

Answer 1

A unique two or three partLatin name for every classified species. It is always written in italics. It is composed of the genus and species name

Question 2

Genus

Answer 2

Generic name of an animal’s group. It starts with a capital letter

Question 3

Species name

Answer 3

Denotes the specific variety of animal. It is always written in lower case

Question 4

Analogous structures

Answer 4

Have a corresponding function and similar shape but a different evolutionary origin

Question 5

Convergent evolution

Answer 5

Ancestors adapted to a similar environment to evolve similar structures from a different starting point to perform the same function

Question 6

Homologous structures

Answer 6

Body parts that are structurally similar or have a common origin in related species but have different functions

Question 7

Divergent evolution

Answer 7

Where common ancestral structure has evolved but with different functions

Question 8

Courtship behaviour

Answer 8

Used to attract a mate

Question 9

Classification

Answer 9

The grouping of organisms

Question 10

Taxonomy

Answer 10

The theory and practice of biological classification

Question 11

Phylogenetic classification

Answer 11

Based on the volition art relationships between organisms and their ancestors, classifying species into hierarchical groups using shared features derived from their ancestors

Question 12

Hierarchy

Answer 12

The groups are contained within larger composite groups with no overlap

Question 13

Taxon

Answer 13

A group within a phylogenetic biological classification

Question 14

What is the order of the taxa?

Answer 14

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Question 15

Taxonomic ranks

Answer 15

The positions of the taxa in a hierarchical order

Question 16

What are the three domains?

Answer 16

Bacteria, archaea, eukarya

Question 17

Archaea

Answer 17

A group of single-called prokaryotes that were originally classified as bacteria due to resemblance

Question 18

Biodiversity

Answer 18

A measure of the number of different species and habitats e.g. plants, animals, fungus, and the genes they contain

Question 19

Polygenic

Answer 19

Characteristics are coded for by more than one gene

Question 20

Community

Answer 20

All the living organisms present in an ecosystem at a given time

Question 21

Ecosystem

Answer 21

All the living and non-living components of a particular area

Question 22

Habitats

Answer 22

The places where an organism normally lives and which is characterised by physical conditions and the types of other organisms present

Question 23

Intercropping

Answer 23

The practice of growing two or more crops in close proximity usually to produce a greater yield on a piece of land

Question 24

Nitrogen-fixing

Answer 24

Incorporating atmospheric nitrogen gas into organic nitrogen-containing compounds e.g. legumes such as beans, peas, clover

Question 25

Nitrifying bacteria

Answer 25

Microorganisms that convert ammonium compounds to nitrites and nitrates

Question 26

Biotic

Answer 26

An ecological factor that makes up part of the living environment of an organism

Question 27

Abiotic

Answer 27

An ecological factor that makes up part of the non-biological environment of an organism

Question 28

Monoculture

Answer 28

Simultaneous growth of large numbers of crop plants of similar age and type within a defined area

Question 29

Eutrophication

Answer 29

When the environment becomes enriched with nutrients from excessive fertilisers containing nitrogen or phosphorous running into lakes or rivers

Question 30

Soil erosion

Answer 30

The removal of topsoil containing valuable nutrients by water flow or soil

Question 31

Desertification

Answer 31

Transformation of land once suitable for agriculture into arid desert resulting from climate change or human practices like deforestation and overgrazing

Question 32

Leaching

Answer 32

Minerals drain away from soil by action of rainwater percolating through

Question 33

Watershed

Answer 33

Region of land draining into a river system or body of water

Question 34

Coppicing

Answer 34

Cutting down trees close to the ground and then left for several years to regrow

Question 35

Selective cutting

Answer 35

Felting only some of the largest trees, leaving others in places

Question 36

Long rotation time

Answer 36

Leaving part of the forest for many years before re-harvesting it

Question 37

Agroforestry

Answer 37

Land use management where trees and shrubs are grown around or among crops and pasture. Combines agriculture and forestry to prod
Ice more diverse, healthy, profitable and sustainable land use systems

Question 38

Extinction

Answer 38

The loss of a species

Question 39

Conservation

Answer 39

The planned preservation of wildlife

Question 40

Deforestation

Answer 40

Removing trees by cutting or burning to use land for other purposes

Question 41

Afforestation

Answer 41

Establishing trees where they were previously none

Question 42

Reforestation

Answer 42

Planting trees where they previously existed