A-level Biology BIODIVERSITY Questions With
Complete Answers
TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY
TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms in an area.
What are the three levels of biodiversity?
1)Habitat diversity
2)Species diversity
3)Genetic diversity
What is habitat diversity?
-A habitat is the area inhabited by a species.
-Habitat diversity is the number of different habitats in an area.
What is an example of habitat diversity?
-A costal area could contain many different habitats- beaches, sand dunes, mudflats,
salt marshes e.t.c.
What is species diversity?
-A species is a group of similar organisms able to reproduce to give fertile offspring.
-Species diversity is the number of different species (species richness) and the
abundance of each species (species evenness) in an area.
What is an example of species diversity?
-A woodland could contain many different species of plants, insects, birds and
mammals.
What is genetic diversity?
The variation of alleles (version of a gene) within a species or a population of a
species.
What are two examples of genetic diversity?
1)Human blood type is determined by a gene with three different alleles.
2)The variation of alleles within the dog species gives rise to different breeds such as
a Labrador or poodle.
TOPIC: GENETIC DIVERSITY
TOPIC: GENETIC DIVERSITY
, dnfbnd;jv;adjv
jfsn;sdjfb;sdjfb;sdb
TOPIC: FACTORS EFFECTING BIODIVERSITY
TOPIC: FACTORS EFFECTING BIODIVERSITY
1)Habitat loss decreasing biodiversity
-As the human population grows, we need to develop more land for housing and to
produce food- this destroys habitats
An example of habitat loss decreasing biodiversity:
-There is deforestation in the Amazon to make way for grazing and agriculture.
-This decreases habitat diversity.
-With fewer habitats for organisms to live in.
2)Over-exploitation decreasing biodiversity
-A greater demand for resources (such as food, water and energy) means a lot of
resources are being used up faster than they can be replenished.
-This can destroy habitats or it can effect species directly.
An example of over-exploitation decreasing biodiversity:
-Industrial fishing can deplete the populations of certain fish species and and may
even cause extinction.
-This decreases genetic diversity within populations, as well as decreasing species
diversity.
3)Urbanism decreasing biodiversity
-Sprawling cities and major road developments can isolate species, meaning
populations are unable to interbreed and genetic diversity is decreased.
An example of urbanism decreasing biodiversity:
-Populations of some animals, for example snakes, living in areas isolated by roads
show a lower genetic diversity than populations living of areas of continuous habitat.
-The animals are unable to migrate and breed as they usually would.
4)Pollution decreasing biodiversity
-As the human population grows, we are producing more waste and more pollution.
-High levels of pollutants can kill species or destroy habitats.
An example of pollution decreasing biodiversity:
-High levels of fertiliser flowing into a river from nearby fields can lead to a decrease
in fish species in that river. This decreases biodiversity.
What is monoculture?
Complete Answers
TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY
TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms in an area.
What are the three levels of biodiversity?
1)Habitat diversity
2)Species diversity
3)Genetic diversity
What is habitat diversity?
-A habitat is the area inhabited by a species.
-Habitat diversity is the number of different habitats in an area.
What is an example of habitat diversity?
-A costal area could contain many different habitats- beaches, sand dunes, mudflats,
salt marshes e.t.c.
What is species diversity?
-A species is a group of similar organisms able to reproduce to give fertile offspring.
-Species diversity is the number of different species (species richness) and the
abundance of each species (species evenness) in an area.
What is an example of species diversity?
-A woodland could contain many different species of plants, insects, birds and
mammals.
What is genetic diversity?
The variation of alleles (version of a gene) within a species or a population of a
species.
What are two examples of genetic diversity?
1)Human blood type is determined by a gene with three different alleles.
2)The variation of alleles within the dog species gives rise to different breeds such as
a Labrador or poodle.
TOPIC: GENETIC DIVERSITY
TOPIC: GENETIC DIVERSITY
, dnfbnd;jv;adjv
jfsn;sdjfb;sdjfb;sdb
TOPIC: FACTORS EFFECTING BIODIVERSITY
TOPIC: FACTORS EFFECTING BIODIVERSITY
1)Habitat loss decreasing biodiversity
-As the human population grows, we need to develop more land for housing and to
produce food- this destroys habitats
An example of habitat loss decreasing biodiversity:
-There is deforestation in the Amazon to make way for grazing and agriculture.
-This decreases habitat diversity.
-With fewer habitats for organisms to live in.
2)Over-exploitation decreasing biodiversity
-A greater demand for resources (such as food, water and energy) means a lot of
resources are being used up faster than they can be replenished.
-This can destroy habitats or it can effect species directly.
An example of over-exploitation decreasing biodiversity:
-Industrial fishing can deplete the populations of certain fish species and and may
even cause extinction.
-This decreases genetic diversity within populations, as well as decreasing species
diversity.
3)Urbanism decreasing biodiversity
-Sprawling cities and major road developments can isolate species, meaning
populations are unable to interbreed and genetic diversity is decreased.
An example of urbanism decreasing biodiversity:
-Populations of some animals, for example snakes, living in areas isolated by roads
show a lower genetic diversity than populations living of areas of continuous habitat.
-The animals are unable to migrate and breed as they usually would.
4)Pollution decreasing biodiversity
-As the human population grows, we are producing more waste and more pollution.
-High levels of pollutants can kill species or destroy habitats.
An example of pollution decreasing biodiversity:
-High levels of fertiliser flowing into a river from nearby fields can lead to a decrease
in fish species in that river. This decreases biodiversity.
What is monoculture?
