Transcript Biological Diversity looks at the variation within a

Unit One
Biological Diversity
What does it mean to be living?
What are characteristics that all
living things share?
What is the difference between
living, non-living and dead?
http://taggalaxy.com/
Unit One – Biological Diversity
Topic One – Biological Diversity and Survival
Biology is the study of living things (plants,
animals, bacteria, fungus)
Diversity refers to the
number of differences
between objects
Therefore, Biological
Diversity is the study
of the differences
between all living
things on the planet
-in almost all animals and plants, there is a
wide variety of differences we can see
-these differences are known as VARIATIONS
Variations are found in ALL groups of
living things!
What are some variations
between students in our
class?
Why is variation important?
Biological Diversity looks at the
variation within a species
(genetic diversity)
…the variation between species….
..and the variations of ecosystems.
As animals and plants go extinct,
the diversity of life on our planet
decreases.
The more diversity, the greater the
chance for making new discoveries and
for species survival.
For example, many of our medicine comes from the
different variety of trees.
The Pacific Yew tree found in B.C. makes a cancerfighting chemical called Taxol
As rain forests get cut
down, we lose species of
trees that may have
medical value that may
help save lives.
Fact: In the Amazon Rain Forests, biologists have only studied
five percent of the plants that exist, for medical treatment.
Fact: Up to 70% of all the plants that have been studied in the
rainforest have cancer-fighting properties
Fact: In the last 50 years, half of the world’s rain forests have
been wiped out.
Variations For Survival
ADAPTATIONS are features that increase an
organism’s chances of surviving and
reproducing in a particular environment
Animals that live in similar environments
have similar adaptations.
What are adaptations of
animals that live in the water??
Adaptations include two things:
1. Structural Adaptations: physical features
that help an organism to survive in its
environment
a. Fins are used by marine life for mobility.
b. Fur allows animals to retain body heat
during cold conditions.
c. Animals use color to help blend into their
surroundings for protection and to hunt prey.
Camouflageto blend in with surroundings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=GFUiCsUSzyw
Xylophanes
caterpillar has
such tiny eyes
that you would
need a hand
lens to see them.
The red "eyes"
and pointed
"stinger" are
both fake.
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=os6HD-sCRn8
Mimicry
Imitating other species that are
more dangerous/poisonous than
itself.
Sexual DimorphismDifferences between male and
female of same species
PolymorphismTwo or more clearly
different variations
within a speciesmust occupy same
habitat.
2. Behavioural Adaptation: how an animal acts
*can be taught how to act by their parents or they are born
that way (instinct)
a. The migration of birds and whales.
b. Birds dancing to attract a mate.
c. Humans using sounds to communicate information.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mb0GOITRUU&safe=active
Cuckoo bird clip
So, what’s the big deal about
diversity then?
The larger the variation between animals, the greater the
chances of survival if their environment changes or food
source runs out
E.g. During the ice age, animals that had more fur or could
eat a variety of food sources survived.
Organisms that are not adapted to their
environment or are weak, die off leaving the
strong or best-fitted to their environment, to
survive.
 This is called NATURAL SELECTION
Variation Within Species
A group of organisms are classified as a SPECIES if:
1. They are similar in appearance
2. They are able to mate in nature with each other AND
their offspring are able to breed.
E.g. Grizzly bears are a
species because they have a
distinct look and mate with
other grizzly bears. Their
offspring can also give
birth.
While they often look the same, there is great
variety within a species.
These differences between
animals within the same
species allows for even
greater diversity and
allows individual animals
to be different.
Just because animals look
similar to one another, doesn’t mean
they are part of the same species.
MULE!! Cannot have living offspring so it is not a species.
Liger
Tigon
–lion father / tiger mother
–tiger father / lion mother
Variation Among Species
Lynx, Bobcats, and Cougars look similar but all are
difference species.
All are thought to have developed from a common ancestor
but over time, the cats evolved to fit into there own
environment and food sources.
This process of a new species being
formed after many generations is
called SPECIATION.
(SPEE – SEE – AI –SHON)
Measuring Biological diversity:
A measurement which compares the
diversity of species in an area with the
total number of organisms in the same
area
What do these numbers mean??
Large levels of Diversity = high diversity =
High diversity index number
Low levels of Diversity = problem =
Low diversity index number
Members of the
same species
often adapt for
life in a more
specialized
environment
creating sub
species. This
reduces the
competition
between
individuals.
Natural selection game
Niche
A niche is the role and space an organism fills in an
environment.
What is your niche?
The general niches occupied by organisms are:
1. Producer--photosynthetic organisms which
grow using energy from the sun
2. Consumer—eat other organisms for nutrients
a. Herbivore—eats producers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=RtnLNmB3ZNE Adaptations of
herbivores
b. Omnivore—eat consumers and producers
c. Carnivore—eat other consumers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=MnY_cCRELvs carnivorous
plants
Decomposer—breaks down dead organisms and
releases nutrients which are used by other living
things
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=Z6V0a_7N1Mw decomposers
Broad Niche Organisms AKA Generalists
•Organisms have more general adaptations suited to a
greater variety of habitats and food sources
•These organisms often found in large populations
•Not as many different species found in the regions
inhabited by generalists
•Often located in regions with diverse seasonal changes
Narrow Niche Organisms AKA Specialists
•Organisms have more specialized adaptations suited
to a specific habitat and food source
•These organisms often found in relatively small
populations
•Many specialists located in a single area
Specialization:
allows many different species to
inhabit an area, but prevents any
one species from spreading over
a large area.
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis: A close relationship in which two species live
closely together in a relationship that lasts over time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=zSmL2F1t81Q start @0:20
Mutualism: Both animals benefit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Xm2qdxVVRm4 ants and trees
Commensalism: One benefits, the
other is not harmed or helped

Parasitism: One benefits, the other is
harmed

Ectoparasites live on the
host.
Endoparasites live in the
host.
Cymothoa: aka
tongue eating
louse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Go_LIz7kTok zombie snails
Endoparasites
Cat Tapeworms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmZhChxVRkI&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVo6ARYhtd4&safe=active
Dog heart infected with parasitic
heartworms.
Worms
worm
Blood
cell
Ectoparasites
Fleas
Ticks
Lice