Conservation Of Biodiversity Flashcards
(19 cards)
What resources do we get from the earth?
Wood, fibers, oils, fuels, food
Suggest a species with the potential for commercial cultivation?
The potato bean of North America as it has a high protein content
What is biomimetics?
The use of knowledge of the adaptations of other species, to improve the designs of manufactured items
What can biomimetics help develop?
Vehicle design
Infection control
Architecture
Adhesive
Materials
How has biomimetics help improved vehicle design?
Copying the feather structures of of splayed wingtip feathers in birds for aircraft
How has biomimetics help improved infection control?
Bacteria does not easily stick to a sharks skin, a coating material that imitates sharks skin is used in operating theatres
How has biomimetics help improved architecture?
Mounds that termites construct generate a solar powered convection current, coppied for shopping complexes
How has biomimetics help improved adhesion?
Lotus flowers have water-repelling properties, this has been copied to produce self cleaning glass
How has biomimetics help improved materials?
Lightweight, flexible and strong silk produced by spiders is being copied to produce better car airbags
How is medicine a reason for protection of biodiversity?
Plants produce chemicals that are toxic to animals to protect themselves, in controlled amounts these medicines may have beneficial medical effects in humans
What medicine are poppies cultivated for?
Painkillers, morphine and codeine
Where is aspirin from?
Initially extracted from the bark of willow trees, now manufactured synthetically
How is physiological research an argument for the conservation of biodiversity?
Species evolve to become adapted to specific environmental conditions, studying these could give a greater understanding of human health problems
Why are marine sponges being studied for physiological research?
They produce proteins that prevent the rejection of skin grafts from other individuals, can be studied to prevent the rejection of organs after transplant surgery
Why is hippopotamus skin being studied for physiological research?
Their skin secretes hipposudoric acid which is a natural sunscreen and antimicrobial agent, this is being studied to help treat burn victims
What are pest control species?
A wide range of predators, parasites and pathogens that are used to control agricultural pests. Indigenous or introduced species
Give an example of a pest control species
The prickly pear cactus became a weed after it’s introduction to Australia from South America, the cactoblastis moth was successfully introduced from South America to control it
What is a negative of domesticated crops?
Often lack genetic diversity as all breed from a limited number of original plants- small gene pool
