Topic One - Classification and Biodiversity

Question 1

What is classification in biology?

Answer 1

The sorting of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.
You can usually see that these organisms have similar characteristics. You can also have very different looking organisms in the same group because they share similar DNA.

Question 2

What are the two main kingdoms of living organisms?

Answer 2

Animals and Plants.

Question 3

What are the two groups of animals classified within the Animal Kingdom?

Answer 3

• Vertebrates
• Invertebrates

Question 4

What are the two groups of plants classified within the Plant Kingdom?

Answer 4

• Flowering plants
• Non-flowering plants

Question 5

What is the significance of scientific names?

Answer 5

They are in Latin to ensure universality and avoid confusion across languages.

Question 6

In the scientific name Panthera tigris, what does ‘Panthera’ represent?

Answer 6

Genus.

Question 7

In the scientific name Panthera tigris, what does ‘tigris’ represent?

Answer 7

Species.

Question 8

What are the two types of adaptations organisms can have?

Answer 8

• Morphological (structural)
• Behavioural (time of day it is active)

Question 9

What adaptation helps the Desert Fox survive?

Answer 9

Bigger ears for increased surface area, so more heat is lost.
Desert Fox has a thin layer of fur/skin so it can lose more heat.
Desert Fox is the colour of sand so it can blend into the desert to hide from predators/catch prey.

Question 10

What adaptation helps the Arctic Fox survive?

Answer 10

Small ears to reduce surface area, so more heat is retained.
Arctic Fox has a lot of fur because it’s an insulator.
Arctic Fox is white so it can blend into the desert to hide from predators/catch prey.
Arctic Fox has black skin to absorb heat.

Question 11

What is a unique adaptation of camels for extreme desert conditions?

Answer 11

Conditions > Extreme heat, shortage of water.
Can go 9 days without water and drink 190 litres at one time. Hump (stores fat for energy, can also transfer fat to water. Increases body’s surface area for heat dissipation).
Fur (a thick coat insulates against extreme heat and cold, also provides shade).
Feet (large, flat and wide with leathery pads spread the camels weight, preventing them from sinking into sand).
Long legs (keep body further from ground).
Eyes and Nostrils (2 rows of long eyelashes and slit-like nostrils to protect against sand in wind).

Question 12

What adaptation do Polar Bears have for extreme cold?

Answer 12

Fur (thick, 2 layers for insulation to keep warm).
Layer of fat (thick, ‘blubber’ for insulation to keep warm).
Black skin (absorbs heat from the sun).
White fur (camouflage).
Large wide paws (prevent sinking).
Small ears (reduce surface area meaning less heat lost).
Sharp teeth (tear prey).
Sense of smell (keen, hunts easily).

Question 13

What are the adaptations of a Lion for hunting in the savannah?

Answer 13

• Golden coat for camouflage
• Sharp claws for stripping meat
• Powerful leg muscles for pouncing
• Night vision
• Whiskers as pulse sensors
• Living in prides for protection
• Nocturnal hunting

Question 14

What do plants compete for?

Answer 14

Light and carbon dioxide.

Question 15

What do animals compete for?

Answer 15

• Food
• Mates
• Shelter

Question 16

What do both Animals and Plants compete for?

Answer 16

Water, Oxygen and Minerals

Question 17

Why is there competition?

Answer 17

In the living world there are only a limited amount of resources available for animals and plants. There is therefore competition for these resources.

Question 18

What is interspecific competition?

Answer 18

Competition occurs between members of different species. E.g. Lion vs Cheetah for food.

Question 19

What is intraspecific competition?

Answer 19

Competition also occurs between members of the same species. E.g. Peacock dancing for a mate.

Question 20

What is biodiversity?

Answer 20

The different types of living things in an area and their abundance.

Question 21

Why is biodiversity important?

Answer 21

• Provides food
• Provides materials
• Provides medicines
• Enhances human happiness

Question 22

What human activities are threatening biodiversity?

Answer 22

• Deforestation
• Burning of fossil fuels

Question 23

What does CITES stand for?

Answer 23

Multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade. Protects endangered and threatened species, live and dead specimens and parts plus derivatives (exotic leather, wooden instruments and medicines from plants and animals).

Question 24

What is the purpose of seed banks?

Answer 24

Institutions that collect, conserve and store seeds from wild and cultivated plants. Protects plant genetic diversity from extinction due to human activity, climate change and disease.

Question 25

What are nature reserves?

Answer 25

Legally protected areas of beautiful landscape that have significant beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. Protects natural wildlife and habitats and landscapes.

Question 26

What are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)?

Answer 26

A legally protected area of land or water in the UK that contains habitats, species and geological features of national or international importance. Protects wildlife and habitats, landscapes.

Question 27

What is captive breeding?

Answer 27

The process of maintaining a species by breeding animals or plants in a controlled environment, like a zoo or aquarium, rather than their natural habitats. Protects endangered and critically threatened species.

Question 28

What is one method to study the distribution of organisms?

Answer 28

Using quadrats to measure how common an organism is in sample areas.

Question 29

What is the second method to study the distribution of organisms?

Answer 29

Using transects to study distribution changes across an area.

Question 30

What should be done to avoid bias when placing quadrats?

Answer 30

Place them randomly.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: The area of a field can be calculated using the formula _______.

Answer 31

L x W.

Question 32

What is the importance of collecting more data in sampling?

Answer 32

The more samples collected, the more reliable and reproducible the results.

Question 33

What is the method for measuring quadrats?

Answer 33

Method - Measure the field. Area = LxW. Roll the dice to determine what coordinates you sample. Place the quadrant down and count the plants. Repeat 5 times. Calculate a mean. Multiply the mean by the area required.

Question 34

What is an alien species?

Answer 34

A species which is not native to a particular region or country.

Question 35

Why are alien species harmful?

Answer 35

Normally has no natural predators Outcompete native species, leading to possible extinction. Can destroy habitats. Can carry diseases that the new region aren’t used to

Question 36

What is the capture recapture method?

Answer 36

animals are captured, eg using pitfall traps they are counted and marked in a harmless, inconspicuous way and then released traps are used again a few days later to recapture a sample of animals the numbers of marked and unmarked animals caught in the traps are recorded Once the data has been collected, the following equation can be used to estimate the population of insects in a particular habitat.

Question 37

What is biological control?

Answer 37

Biological control is a method of managing pests and other organisms by using their natural enemies, such as predators, parasites, or pathogens, instead of chemical pesticides. Bringing them to a place they don’t usually live. Have to be careful due to alien species.