Unit A BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 1 1 Examining Diversity

Unit A BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

1. 1 Examining Diversity • • Species: a group of organisms that have the same structure and can reproduce with one another. Living things: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Are made of cells Need energy Grow and develop Reproduce Can make adaptations to the environment

Examining Diversity cont’d • Biological Diversity: all the different types of organisms on Earth • Ecosystem: Living (biotic) things interact with other living and non-living (abiotic) things in a shared environment. • Population: the species live in a specific area and share the same resources • Community: when populations of a different species live in the same area • Genetic Diversity: refers to the diversity or variations between members of the same species

Examining Diversity cont’d Species Distribution • The number of plant and animal species is greatest in tropical regions. • As you move north to the temperate and then polar regions, you find less biological diversity • Coral reefs support many different communities of organisms.

Classifying Biological Diversity • There are 5 kingdoms of species: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Anamalia (animals) Plantae (plants) Fungi (yeast, mold, mushrooms) Protista (single-celled organisms) Monera (bacteria)

Classifying Biological Diversity • Classification becomes more specific as you move from Kingdom to Species Eg. Canis Rufus, Canis Lupus, Canis Familiaris

1. 2 Interdependence • No species can live by itself, each species is dependent on another 3 Symbiotic Relationships 1. 2. 3. Commensalism: one organism benefits but the other does not. Eg. baracles Mutualism: both organisms benefit Eg. sucker fish and shark Parasitism: one organism benefits and the other is harmed. Eg. tapeworm

Clownfish & Sea Anemone Flowers & Pollinators Tapeworm

Interdependence cont’d • Niches: the role of an organism within its environment. Includes what the organism eats, habitat, nesting site, predators, etc. • Interspecies Competition: two or more species need the same resources • Resource Partitioning: the species divide up the resources equally to ensure survival. Eg. warblers

1. 3 Variation Within Species • Healthy ecosystems have a great deal of genetic diversity among the species, and a great deal of variation within a population of single species • When a species has a great deal of variation among individuals it is more likely the individuals will survive environmental changes. – Eg. new predators, weather, elimination of food sources.