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Biological Diversity and Survival. Unit A: Topic 1. Biology and Biological Diversity. Biology: The study of living things Biological Diversity: The number and variety of organisms If there are so many types of organisms in the world, does eliminating one really matter?.
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Biological Diversity and Survival Unit A: Topic 1
Biology and Biological Diversity • Biology: • The study of living things • Biological Diversity: • The number and variety of organisms • If there are so many types of organisms in the world, does eliminating one really matter?
Shared Characteristics of All Living Organisms • Are made up of cells • Need energy • Grow and develop • Reproduce • Have adaptations that suit them for the environment they live in • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NT1btcucrY&feature=related
Biotic vs. Abiotic • Biotic • Living things • Ex. Dogs, sponges, mold, bacteria, trees • Abiotic • Non living things • Ex. Air, water, sunlight, rocks • Both biotic and abiotic factors affect the organisms that we will be talking about. Make sure you understand the difference.
Arrangement of Species • Individual: • One single organism that is affected by its surroundings. • Population: • A group of individuals of the same species living in an area. • Ex. All the magpies living in a certain park. • Community: • Populations of different species live in the same area. • Ex. The same park is a community because it contains other organisms besides magpies, such as grasses, trees, gophers, and other birds. • Ecosystem: • A certain environment in which living things interact with other living and non-living things • Use the example of a school to explain the previous arrangement to a your table partner
Classification of Organisms -Most general- Kingdoms Ex. Animalia Phylum Ex. Chordata Class Ex. Mammalia Order Ex. Primates Family Ex. Hominidae Genus Ex. Homo Species Ex. Sapiens -Most specific- Helpful way to remember it: King Philip Came Over For Green Spinach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jAGOibTMuU These birds look very similar, but they differ once we get down to the species category. This means that the birds will not mate.
Two Word Naming System • Developed by Carolus Linnaeus • Two words name each living thing • To name an organism: Genus species • Closely related organisms would have the same genus name but not the same species • Latin continues to be used for classification systems because it is a dead and unchanging language. • The system is called binomial nomenclature • Activity: Can Identify the Genus?
Classification System • Archaea - single celled organisms that can live in extreme conditions • Monera – bacteria • Protista – amoeba, algae • Fungi – yeast, mold, mushrooms • Plantae – Ferns, trees, weeds, flowers • Animalia – birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish
Species Distribution • Areas around the equator have the greatest number of species. • There is also the greatest number of species in the tropical regions. • Therefore the most biologically diverse places on earth are tropical rain forests in equatorial regions.
Adaptations • Structural Adaptation • A physical characteristic that allows the organism to survive Ex. The pitcher plant • Behavioural Adaptation • A behavioural characteristic that allows the organism to survive Ex. An owl hunting at night Ex. The migration of birds in the winter.
Species and Speciation • Species: • Living things that have the same structures and can reproduce with one another • There are more species of insects than all other life forms combined • Speciation: • The process of one specific type of species changing into another similar, but different species.
Variation • Variation: • Differences in characteristics of organisms caused by genetic and environmental factors • Individuals are more likely to survive environmental changes if variation exists. • The introduction of a new predator, the spread of a new disease, the introduction of a toxic substance, the elimination of a food source – these could all wipe out a species. • The value of variation: • Resistance to disease • To allow for the overall health of an area • Ability to survive severe environments
Variation within a species • Variability • Variation within a species • Natural Selection • The environment “selects” which organism will survive to reproduce. • Example: Larger birds in Nebraska survived a storm because they had more body fat • Movie
Measuring Variation in the Human Hand • Complete the activity with a partner • Due tomorrow
Verbal Review Questions • What is biodiversity? • What is the difference between abiotic and biotic? • Identify the boxes in the following diagram • What are the classification rankings?
Verbal Review Questions • How are organisms distributed around the world? • What is an adaptation? • What is speciation? • What is variation? • How does variation help the ecosystems?