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Biology > Taxonomy and Biodiversity > Flashcards

Taxonomy and Biodiversity Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

What is a species

A

A group of similar organisms that can interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring

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2
Q

What does the definition species assume

A

The organisms have:
Common characteristics
Are genetically compatible
Interbreed under natural conditions
Sexual reproduction
Have the same number of diploid chromosomes

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3
Q

Why is the name species difficult for bacteria

A

They replicate through asexual reproduction so cant interbreed and the name species doesn’t really fit

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4
Q

Why is the name species difficult for fossilised remains

A

You can’t see if they would interbreed

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5
Q

What is a morphological species

A

Characterises species based of their structural features

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6
Q

What is a Biological species

A

Barriers between species prevent viable fertile offspring like being in different continents

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7
Q

What are Postzygotic mechanisms

A

Prevents hybrid zygotes from developing into viable, fertile adult

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8
Q

Why does courtship behaviour ensure successful mating outcomes

A

To recognise members of their own species,
To identify a mate capable of breeding
To form a pair bond
Synchronised mating

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9
Q

How would a mutation affecting courtship display do

A

This would make it much less likely for them to reproduce so the mutation would die out as it would not be passed on to offspring as none would be produced

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10
Q

What are the three domains

A

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryote

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11
Q

What are Bacteria

A

Organisms that do not have a true nucleus

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12
Q

What are Archaea

A

Organisms that don’t have a true nucleus but their enzymes used in transcription and translation are more similar to Eukaryota that bacteria

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13
Q

What are Eukaryota

A

Organisms with a true nucleus

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14
Q

What are the four kingdoms

A

Animalia, Plantae, Fungi and Protoctista

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15
Q

What are Animalia

A

They are Eukaryotic,
Multicellular,
Non-Photosynthetic,
No cell wall,
capable of nervous co-ordination

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16
Q

What are Plantae

A

Eukaryotic,
Multicellular
Photosynthetic
Cell walls made of Cellulose

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17
Q

What are Fungi

A

Eukaryotic,
Unicellular or Multicellular,
Non-Photosynthetic
Cell walls are made of Chitin

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18
Q

Protoctista

A

Everything else that doesn’t fit into the other three kingdoms,
Eukaryotic,
Usually unicellular,
Some are photosynthetic

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19
Q

What is the Hierarchical Taxonomy

A

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

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20
Q

How are species named

A

Using the Binomial naming system

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21
Q

What is the Binomial system

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A

The organisms genus and the organisms species

22
Q

What are the binomial naming rules

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A

All organisms have one name written in Latin,
The name is always written in Italics when it is typed of underlined when handwritten<
The generic name is capitalised but the species name is all lower case
Naming system is used by scientists all across the world

23
Q

What is a sub-species

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A

A taxonomic group found below species level,
A group of organisms that although are capable of interbreeding are prevented from doing so,
Most common reason is geographical barriers,

24
Q

What are some problems with Taxonomy

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A

Some organisms do not fit in the system, e.g. viruses
Organisms that look similar are not in fact related,
E.g. hoverfly and wasp

25
What is a Phylogeny
A method of classifying organisms according to their true families- it show the evolutionary relationship between different species
26
What does Phylogeny compare
DNA and Proteins of different species to see which are more closely related
27
What techniques are used in Phylogeny
DNA Sequence analysis DNA Hybridisation Protein/Amino acid sequence analysis Immunological studies Behavioural studies
28
What are genetic comparisons
When two species first separate there are very few differences between the two species, Mutations cause base changes in the sequences, the more differences between the two species- the further away they are related
29
How can scientists determine how similar of different two species are
By comparing their DNA sequences
30
What is the limitation of sequence comparison
It is only possible if the genome sequence of the species you are interested in has been published
31
What are the problems of genome sequencing
It is an expensive process that takes a long time, It is only available for some species
32
What technique can be used when you don't have a complete genome sequence to compare
DNA hybridisation, you just need a sample of DNA from the two species that you want to compare
33
What is DNA Hybridisation
Small sample of the two species are cut into small fragments, The DNA is heated to separate the strands, The DNA samples are mixed together and allowed to cool which allows the DNA to reform double strands, Some strands from species A and B form hybrid strands together, These hybrids are isolated and heated to determine what temperature is required to separate the strands
34
How do you interpret the results of DNA Hybridisation
Species with more bases in common form more hydrogen bonds so need a higher temperature to separate, Species with fewer bases in common form less hydrogen bonds so need a lower temperature to separate
35
What is Protein Sequence Analysis
Scientists compare the amino acid sequences of the same protein that has been isolated from different organisms, The more amino acids in common then the closer the relationship between the two species
36
What is the process for Immunological analysis
Blood serum of species A is injected into species B, B recognises the A antigens as non-self, B makes anti-A antibodies which are secreted into Bs blood, B blood serum is then added to serum of species C, If the anti-A antibodies in the rabbit serum can bind to the proteins in the serum of C then the serum will coagulate and a precipitate will form
37
How do you translate the results of Immunological analysis
If C is closely related to A then the antibodies in B serum will cause them to coagulate as the antigens on the serum proteins will be similar, But if they are not related then the antibodies will not recognise the proteins so won't coagulate, More precipitate= more closely related
38
What is Biodiversity
The number and variety of living things to be found in the world, in an ecosystem or in a habitat
39
What is genetic diversity
The diversity of alleles within a population on organisms
40
What is a habitat
The place where an organism lives
41
What is a transect
A line along which organisms are sampled, especially where conditions vary across the area being studied
42
What is a niche
A description of the precise way in which an organism fits into its environment
43
What is a community
All the organisms living in an environment/habitat
44
What is an ecosystem
All the living organisms in a given area, together with all the non-living factors with which they interact
45
What is a species
A group of organisms showing very similar characteristics and capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring
46
What is a population
A group of organisms of one species living in an areaWha
47
What is a quadrat
An area marked out in order to study the organisms it contains. usually a square frame is used to mark the area
48
What is species diversity
The measurement of the total number of species present (species richness) and the abundance of them (how many) within a community
49
Why is species diversity important
It in an indication of the stability and richness of the ecosystem, An ecosystem with a high species diversity is more able to adapt to and survive changes to the ecosystem,
50
What human activities reduce biodiversity
Monoculture and use of pesticides Mechanisation forcing farmers to have larger fields with less hedgerows, Deforestation of the rainforests, Planting conifer plantations rather than native deciduous forest
51
Conservation Agriculture
A concept for resource=--saving agricultural crop production that strives to achieve acceptable profits together with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment,

Biology (11 decks)

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