Lesson #1 - Biodiversity Flashcards
Biosphere
the “Zone of Life on Earth”, or the accumulation of all living things in all ecosystems.
What is biodiversity?
Represents the total sum of all various species/life forms living on Earth. This ranges from the very large multicellular organisms (such as plants, fishes, and mammals) to the very small unicellular
organisms (such as fungi, protozoa, and bacteria)
What is a species?
a group of organisms that are capable of breeding freely with each other
What is hybridization?
the cross-breeding of two different species
Forms of biodiversity?
Ecosystem, structural, species, genetic
Ecosystem biodiversity
the variety in ecosystems, as well as the
variety of sub-ecosystems within an ecosystem!
Structural biodiversity
the range of physical shapes and sizes within a habitat or ecosystem
Species biodiversity
the variety of species within an ecosystem
Genetic biodiversity
the variety of individuals within a species (individual differences found in their genetics, but they are classified
as the same species)
Why is diversity important in ecosystems?
Allows for interdependence between species
Interactions of interdependence:
- Food supply
- Protection
- Transportation
- Reproduction
- Hygiene
- Digestion of food
