____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject Biophysics
Paper No and Title 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPHYSICS
Module No and Title M2: Biodiversity and Evolution
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Learning Outcomes
2. Introduction
3. Biodive rsity
4. Evolution
5. Summary
Suggested readings
Web sources
BIOPHYSICS PAPER No. 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPHYSICS
MODULE No. 2: Biodiversity and Evolution
, ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, one will be able to:
Get familiar with the flora and fauna of our country in their natural habitats.
Realize the importance of biodiversity for human survival.
Appreciate the beauty and splendor of biodiversity of our country in terms of the
different ecosystems.
Develop respect and a sense of curiosity about our immediate surroundings for all
forms of life and their cultural link to human life.
Develop interest in visiting biodiversity parks, game sanctuaries, national parks,
conservation methods by tribal people and aborigines of our country.
Realize the importance of public health and its dependence on clean environment,
both physical and biological.
2. Introduction
Biodiversity refers to richness of flora and fauna in a given region. In other words
the variety of organisms on earth, in the air, in water and in the soil is expressed quantitatively as
biodiversity index. On the basis of this ric hness labels like ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ are coined. India
has two of the world’s hotspots-one in Eastern Himalayas and another in Western Ghats.
Biodiversity can be quantitated and there are standard techniques for that. Biodiversity comprises
three components i.e. Genetic diversity, Species diversity and Community and Ecosystem
diversity. What is important to understand is the accepted fact that biodiversity is the result of
evolution of life on earth in the last 2.5 billion years. For many scientists the whole earth is taken
as a complex but a single living organism. This is according to the so called ‘GA IA hypoth eses’.
Nevertheless, it is estimated that there are more than 10 million species on this earth.
The variability in genetic structure (Chemistry) wit hin members of a given species
giving rise to breeds, races, cultivars etc. is called genetic diversity. These structural differences
in the genetic material could be in chromosome structure, whole genes whether they are present
or not in functional state, allelic differenc es or even epigenetic changes in certain genes. In
general in breeding in animals (dog breeds) or humans (i. e. consanguineous marriages) leads to
decrease in diversity and ultimately to sterility. Green revolution led to higher productivity but also
led to loss of genetic diversity. Species diversity simply means number of species (biotic types)
surviving in a given ecosystem. Tropical rain forests, deserts, oceana and tree tops do not have
the same biodiversity index. A community consists of producers, macro c onsumers and micro
consumers. An ecosystem can be scored for diversity also in terms of alpha diversity, Beta
diversity and Gamma diversity.
Biodiversity is important for our survival because it provides what is called ‘Eco
services’. This includes the supply of Oxygen, primary source of food for the rest of living
organisms through photosynthesis, soil health, water and ot her elemental biogeochemical cycles’
maintenance. Further it provides us with medicinally active chemicals called secondary
metabolit es, timber and firewood, esthetic experiences like Natural parks, Zoological parks, wild
BIOPHYSICS PAPER No. 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPHYSICS
MODULE No. 2: Biodiversity and Evolution
Subject Biophysics
Paper No and Title 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPHYSICS
Module No and Title M2: Biodiversity and Evolution
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Learning Outcomes
2. Introduction
3. Biodive rsity
4. Evolution
5. Summary
Suggested readings
Web sources
BIOPHYSICS PAPER No. 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPHYSICS
MODULE No. 2: Biodiversity and Evolution
, ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, one will be able to:
Get familiar with the flora and fauna of our country in their natural habitats.
Realize the importance of biodiversity for human survival.
Appreciate the beauty and splendor of biodiversity of our country in terms of the
different ecosystems.
Develop respect and a sense of curiosity about our immediate surroundings for all
forms of life and their cultural link to human life.
Develop interest in visiting biodiversity parks, game sanctuaries, national parks,
conservation methods by tribal people and aborigines of our country.
Realize the importance of public health and its dependence on clean environment,
both physical and biological.
2. Introduction
Biodiversity refers to richness of flora and fauna in a given region. In other words
the variety of organisms on earth, in the air, in water and in the soil is expressed quantitatively as
biodiversity index. On the basis of this ric hness labels like ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ are coined. India
has two of the world’s hotspots-one in Eastern Himalayas and another in Western Ghats.
Biodiversity can be quantitated and there are standard techniques for that. Biodiversity comprises
three components i.e. Genetic diversity, Species diversity and Community and Ecosystem
diversity. What is important to understand is the accepted fact that biodiversity is the result of
evolution of life on earth in the last 2.5 billion years. For many scientists the whole earth is taken
as a complex but a single living organism. This is according to the so called ‘GA IA hypoth eses’.
Nevertheless, it is estimated that there are more than 10 million species on this earth.
The variability in genetic structure (Chemistry) wit hin members of a given species
giving rise to breeds, races, cultivars etc. is called genetic diversity. These structural differences
in the genetic material could be in chromosome structure, whole genes whether they are present
or not in functional state, allelic differenc es or even epigenetic changes in certain genes. In
general in breeding in animals (dog breeds) or humans (i. e. consanguineous marriages) leads to
decrease in diversity and ultimately to sterility. Green revolution led to higher productivity but also
led to loss of genetic diversity. Species diversity simply means number of species (biotic types)
surviving in a given ecosystem. Tropical rain forests, deserts, oceana and tree tops do not have
the same biodiversity index. A community consists of producers, macro c onsumers and micro
consumers. An ecosystem can be scored for diversity also in terms of alpha diversity, Beta
diversity and Gamma diversity.
Biodiversity is important for our survival because it provides what is called ‘Eco
services’. This includes the supply of Oxygen, primary source of food for the rest of living
organisms through photosynthesis, soil health, water and ot her elemental biogeochemical cycles’
maintenance. Further it provides us with medicinally active chemicals called secondary
metabolit es, timber and firewood, esthetic experiences like Natural parks, Zoological parks, wild
BIOPHYSICS PAPER No. 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPHYSICS
MODULE No. 2: Biodiversity and Evolution
