Module 3 - Biological diversity

Question 1

Structural adaptations

Answer 1

concerned with the anatomy of the organism eg how it is built. Example - plants in low levels of forests have large leaves so they can capture as much sunlight as possible

Question 2

Physiological adaptations

Answer 2

involved with the internal functioning of the body’s metabolism. Example - many plants become dormant in winter to survive harsh conditions

Question 3

Behavioural adaptations

Answer 3

concerned with how the organism behaves. example - the red bellied black snake on top and its underside is red and found in moister conditions

Question 4

How is Darwin’s Finches a key piece of evident

Answer 4

It is a key piece of evidence for natural selection and speciation as Darwin collected specimens of finches and classified them as 14 different species. This provided evidence to prove South American finches had arrived on the island, had naturally occurring variations and adapted the to the conditions

Question 5

three levels of biodiversity - Genetic

Answer 5

the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic make up of species

Question 6

species diversity

Answer 6

a measure of the diversity of the different species in an ecological community

Question 7

ecosystems diversity

Answer 7

the variation of different ecosystems found in a region, It is important for evolution as the loss of species etc decreases the level of genes. the materials needed for species to adapt to changing conditions or for move to evolve.

Question 8

Evidence supporting the theory of evolution by natural selection

Answer 8

• fossil evidence provided by the horse and platypus which shows that evolution is not a planned process
• Darwin’s theory

Question 9

Convergent evolution - linked to Darwin’s theory

Answer 9

Darwin recognised that several different lineages could arise from one common ancestor. Different selection pressure therefore favoured some forms over others.

Question 10

Divergent evolution - linked to Darwin’s theory

Answer 10

Darwin studied particular marsupials in Australia which led him to the idea of organisms evolving to become similar as different organisms live in similar habitats would be favoured by natural selection to enable them to survive and breed in those conditions