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79 Cards in this Set
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- 3rd side (hint)
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What is classification? |
There are two different types of classification - natural classification (which is based on evolutionary relationships) and artificial classification (which is often very specific, for example depending on habitat) |
2 different types |
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What is natural classification? |
All living organisms are put in specific groups Bacteria, Plants, Fungi, Protoctits and animals. These groups are then divided into subgroups - for example animals are divided in to vertebrates and invertebrates. |
Kingdoms |
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How do we define animals? |
Animals feed on other organisms, they are multicellular and they have no cell wall. They can be split down further in to two groups - vertebrates and invertebrates. |
Feeding habits, cells |
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How do we define plants? |
Plants are photosynthetic Cells have cellulose walls They are multicellular |
Cells, making food |
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How do we define Fungi? |
Fungi is fed by digesting and absorbing dead matter using a network of strands |
Dead matter |
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What are protoctists? |
There is a wide variety of protoctists. Most are single celled. They do not fit in to other kingdoms. |
Wide variety |
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How do we define Bacteria? |
Smallest cells No nucleus |
Small, no _ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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What are vertebrates? |
Animals with a backbone They can be divided further into ectothermic (mammals and birds) and endothermic (reptiles, amphibians and fish). |
Have a B_ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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What are invertebrates? |
Animals without a backbone Arthropods are invertebrates, they have jointed limbs and an exoskeleton. Arthropods are insects, arachnids, crustaceans and myriapods. |
Don't have a B_ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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How do we define insects? Give an example. |
Arthropods (have jointed limbs and an exoskeleton) with 6 legs. E.g. Butterflies |
Have ... legs |
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How do we define arachnids? Give an example. |
Arthropods (have jointed limbs and an exoskeleton) with 8 legs and no wings. E.g. Spiders
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Have ... legs and no ... |
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Give an example of a crustacean |
Crabs or lobsters
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C_ _ _ _ or L_ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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What are myriapods? Give an example. |
Myriapods are arthropods (have jointed limbs and an exoskeleton) with lots of legs. E.g. Centipedes are millipedes.
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Would need lots of shoes |
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What is the order of natural classification? |
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species |
King Phillip Cried "Oh For Goodness Sakes!" |
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What are species? |
Organisms of the same species are capable of interbreeding to produce fertile off spring. |
A donkey and a horse are different species but a thoroughbred and a shire horse are the same species |
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What are hybrids? |
A hybrid can be the result of breeding between two organisms from two different species. They cannot produce fertile young. |
A mule |
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What is the Binomial system? |
We use a common language (latin) to name species so that scientists everywhere can understand it. Binomial means two names. The first name is the Genus. The second part of the name is the species. The Genus always starts with a capital letter but the species starts with a lower case letter. A whole name is either written in italics or underlined. |
Binomial means two names. |
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How do food chains work? What are trophic levels? |
The producer is eaten by the primary consumer, which is eaten by the secondary consumer, which is eaten by the tertiary consumer. The producer is trophic level one, the primary consumer is trophic level 2, the secondary consumer is trophic level 3... |
The trophic level is determined by the stage in the food chain |
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What are producers? |
Producers are organisms that use inorganic materials as (or and) an energy sours to make organic substances that can be eaten by consumers. Not all producers are plants. E.g. Photosynthetic bacteria and algae. |
First level in food chain |
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What are consumers? |
A consumer is any organism that has to take in organics substances made by the other organisms. Animals and decomposers are consumers. |
Eat other organisms |
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What is a pyramid of numbers? |
A pyramid of numbers shows how many organisms another organism will eat in a food chain. It doesn't have to be pyramid shaped. |
In case you can't see labels are birds, snails and lettuce. |
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What is a pyramid of biomass |
The mass of a living organism is its biomass. A pyramid of biomass is alway Pyramid shaped. |
In case you can't see labels are birds, snails and lettuce.
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What are the effects on food chain if the secondary consumer is wiped out? |
Primary consumer would thrive (less to eat it) Producer population would decline (more primary consumer to eat it) Tertiary consumer would either find an alternative food source or its population would decline/die out. Alternative food source of Tertiary consumer would decline as more to eat it. This in turn would affect another food chain/web |
What would happen to the things it ate? What would happen to the things that ate it? |
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Define the following 1. Food chain 2. Producer 3. Consumer 4. Herbivore 5. Carnivore 6. Omnivore 7. Biomass 8. Trophic |
1. Sequence showing feeding relationships 2. Organism which makes its own food 3. Organsims which eats other organisms 4. Organism which only eats plants 5. Organism which eats plants and animals 6. Living material that makes up organisms 7. A feeding level in a food chain |
I'm not helping you with this one |
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What is dry biomass and when/why do we use it? |
Water content varies depending on events such as weather and this can make the organisms heavier or lighter. Water does not provide energy so therefore we use dry biomass for the pyramid of biomass. |
Water |
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How is energy lost in a food chain? |
Respiration (releases energy from food to do work and is lost as heat). Some energy warms up the organism and the air/soil around the organism Undigested faeces (egestion) Excretion |
Think about some of the things that all living organisms do |
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Why is there a limit to the length of a food chain? |
Plants take energy from the sun and use this energy to make food (glucose). But in this energy transfer some of the heat is lost because it is reflected off the plant or lost as heat. The plant uses the rest forrespiration and to create biomass. When the primary consumer consumes the plantit absorbs the energy and uses it to create biomass. But again some energy islost, this time in respiration, excretion and egestion. By the time thesecondary consumer has done this as well there is very little energy left andit is often not worth it for another consumer. So as the energy is transferredbetween trophic levels each time some is lost. |
Think about energy loss |
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A rabbit consumers 1000J of energy when eating grass. When a fox catches and eats the rabbit 100J of energy is transferred to the fox. Calculate the efficiency of energy transfer. |
(100/1000)x100=10% So 90% is lost at each trophic level. |
(Energy transferred to next level divided by energy at the previous level)x100 = % energy lost |
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What happens to energy when it is lost in a food web? |
Energy that is lost in a food web will be used to start another food chain, be recycled, decomposed or decayed. |
Throughout a food web energy is constantly lost by wasted heat, however the elements are constantly recycled. |
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What are decomposers? |
Decomposers are organisms which carry out decomposition. Decomposers require certain conditions to help carry out decomposition - oxygen, water, organic matter (food) and an optimum temperature and pH. |
Fungi and Bacteria |
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What are Carbon Sinks? |
All organic matters contain carbon. Oceans (due to the plants/algae/plankton they contain) absorb carbon dioxide acting as 'carbon sinks'. Plants are carbon sinks as they photosynthesise absorbing carbon dioxide. Anything that can photosynthesise can absorb carbon dioxide. |
Anything that can photosynthesise can absorb carbon dioxide.
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Explain how marine organisms are part of the carbon cycle. |
Marine organisms make shells using carbonates. Shells become limestone. Carbon returns to air as carbon dioxide during weathering and volcanic eruptions. |
Shells contain carbon. |
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What is the carbon cycle? |
All organic matters contain carbon. Carbon needs to be recycled so it can become available again to other living organisms. Carbon dioxide is removed from the air by photosynthesis in plants. Feeding passes carbon compounds along a food chain or web. Carbon dioxide is released into the air by plants and animals repairing, soil bacteria and fungi acting as decomposers, the burning of fossil fuels (combustion) or volcanic eruptions. |
Carbon needs to be recycled - how? |
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What is the nitrogen cycle? |
Plants take in nitrogen as nitrates from the soil to make protein for growth. Feeding passes nitrogen compounds along a food chain. The nitrogen compounds in dead organisms are broken down by decomposers and returned to the soil. |
What are nitrates used for? |
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What microorganisms are responsible for the recycling of nitrogen and how do they work? |
Decomposers are soil bacteria and fungi and they convert proteins and urea into ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia to nitrates. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in root nodules (or in the soil) fix nitrogen gas - this also occur by the action of lightning. |
Decomposers, Nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria and nitrogen fixing bacteria |
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What might animals compete for? |
Water, food, mating partners, territory/space/shelter or hierarchy within a herd/pride/group. Organisms with similar niches are most likely to compete with each other. |
What do they need? |
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What might plants compete for? |
Minerals, light, water or space. Organisms with similar niches are most likely to compete with each other. |
What do they need? |
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What is interspecific and intraspecific competition? |
Interspecific competition is competition between two different species Intraspecific competition is competition within the same species |
Interspecific - red vs grey squirrel Intraspecific - grey vs grey squirrel |
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What is a niche? |
The role the species plays in the eco system |
Where an organism lives, what it eats. |
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What are specialist organisms? |
A specialist organism has a very narrowniche and can only survive in very specific environmental conditions or have alimited diet. For example anteaters or koalas. |
Anteaters Koala Bears |
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What are generals organisms? |
Ageneralist organism has a wide niche meaning it can live in a range ofenvironmental conditions and eat a variety of food. For example a crow or ahuman is a generalist.
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Crow Human |
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What is a predator? |
A predator feeds on another organism, usually hunts another animal. They often have binocular vision so they can judge distance. They normally have good camouflage. They have good attack and defines characteristics such as speed, stamina, strong teeth & jaws, claws... |
Opposite of prey Think about vision and characteristics |
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What is prey? |
Prey is usually eaten by another organism. They normally have monocular vision so they have a wider field of vision to see their predator. They often have good hearing to hear their predator. They have good camouflage to stop them being seen and are agile and fast so are good at escaping. They often live in large groups so they can warn each other of predators and there is a smaller chance of an individual being attacked. |
Opposite of predator
Think about vision and characteristics |
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How do penguins feet stay warm? |
Bloodvessels taking oxygenated blood to the feet flow close to the vessels takingdeoxygenated blood back to the heart. The blood is flowing in the oppositedirections – a counter current flow. Thermal energy is transferred into theblood going back to the heart (from warmer to colder) so heat is not lost viathe feet but they do receive oxygen and nutrients.
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Blood vessels close together to transfer heat |
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What are extremophiles? |
Extremophilesare organisms adapted to live in extreme conditions. E.g. Methane worms (live in ice), thermophilic bacteria (grow best between 45oC and 80oC in hot springs) and crocodile ice-fish (produce anti-freeze protein and live in oxygen rich cold water) |
A_ _ _ _ _ _ to live in E_ _ _ _ _ _ conditions |
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What is interdependence? |
Interdependence determines organisms distribution and abundance |
Determines organisms D_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and A_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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What is parasitism? |
A relationship between two organisms in which one organism (the parasite) benefits by gaining food and the other organisms (the host) is harmed. E.g. Fleas and a dog or tapeworm and a horse. |
Parasite and host |
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What is mutualism? |
A relationship between two organisms in which they both benefit. E.g. Oxpecker and Buffalo, Pollination of flowering plants by insects, nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules of leguminous plants. |
Flower and Bumble bee |
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What is anatomical adaptation? |
Larger organisms normally have a smaller surface area to volume ratio. Having a smaller surface area helps to prevent heat loss. Having a larger surface area to volume ratio helps to absorb and lose heat. This is called anatomical adaptation and helps organisms to survive extreme habitats. |
Surface area to volume ratio |
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What adaptations do Polar Bears have? |
Large size + small ears to reduce surface area to volume ratio and therefore reduce heat loss. Thick white fur acts as camouflage against snow and helps to retain warmth. Fur on soles of paws acts as insulation and grip. Large feet spread load on snow. Layer of blubber acts as insulation. Sharp teeth and claws for killing and eating prey. Strong legs for running and swimming. |
Surface area to volume ratio, camouflage, fur, feet size, blubber, teeth/claws... |
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What adaptations do camels have? |
Bushyeyelashes and hair lined nostrils to stop sand entering. Largefeet to spread load on sand. Toleranceto body temperature rises to prevent loss of water through sweating. Storeof fat in hump to prevent insulating the whole body. |
Eyelashes, feet size, hump... |
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What adaptations do Cacti have? |
Storageof water to withstand droughts.
Greenstem for photosynthesis. Roundedshape providing a reduced surface area to volume ratio to reduce water loss. Longroots for reaching water. Thickcuticle reduces water loss. Leavesreduced to spines reduces water loss and discourages consumers. |
Storage, colour, shape, roots, spikes... |
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What are the three different types of adaptation? |
1. Anatomical adaptations - structure of the body 2. Behavioural adaptations - behaviour of the organism 3. Physiological adaptations - how the organism works |
1. Thick cuticle, surface area to volume ratio, camouflage... 2. Hibernation, migration... 3. Tolerance to temperature |
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How does natural selection work? |
1. Variation in a population - some will have an advantageous allele. 2. Selection pressure - for example competition for limited resources or predation. 3. Survival of the fittest - those with advantageous alleles more likely to survive & live long enough to reproduce 4. Offspring are stronger - offspring will inherit the advantageous allele. This will continue over many generations and cause evolution. |
Example: Warafin causes blood to thin and in high doses is a poison. It can be used to kill rats, but some rats are resistant: 1. Some rats are resistant to poison 2. Humans are trying to poison them 3. The resistant rats survive long enough to reproduce 4. Offspring is resistant. This then continues over many generations causing resistant rats to become more common. |
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What is evolution? Refer to Darwins theory in your answer. |
Evolutionis about how things have changed over millions of years. Darwin proposed that organisms with the best characteristics fortheir existence will have offspring which will inherit these adaptations. Thereis variation within all populations and some of these small difference help theindividual to survive and reproduce. Useful characteristics become more common.All organisms over reproduce, so individual organisms have to compete,particularly for food.Diseaseand predation cause large numbers of organisms to die. This is called thestruggle for survival. This struggle leads to the fittest individuals with themost suitable adaptations are the most likely to survive and reproduce. So,nature selects the characteristics that are going to aid survival. This iscalled natural selection. These gradual changes are the mechanism by whichevolution occurs.
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Darwin - natural selection/survival of the fittest |
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What was Lamarks theory on evolution? |
Lamarks theory stated that new structures appeared when there was a need for them and those that are not used degenerate. He also proposed that changes acquired in the lifetime of organisms were then passed on to the offspring.
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Lamark - changes acquired in a life time passed on to offspring |
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Why were Lamarks ideas discredited? |
Lamarksideas (inheritance of acquired characteristics) where discredited because if ananimal acquires an adaptation over the period of it’s life (e.g. its neck getslonger because it is constantly stretching it to reach the tops of trees) itwon’t pass it on to it’s offspring because it is not coded for in it’s DNA. Hisexplanation was not based on genes.
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DNA |
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Why was Darwins theory initially met with hostile response? |
Darwin’stheory (natural selection) was initially met with hostile response because itwas evidence that we evolved and most still believed in ‘Adam and Eve’ and theChristian creation story. It made people unhappy that Darwin thought be hadevolved from apes.
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Apes |
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Why is Darwins theory now widely accepted? |
Thetheory of Natural Selection is now widely accepted because there is lots ofevidences, such as fossils, to back it up. We also know more about thegenetical basis and how similar are genes are to the animals we have evolvedfrom. There is a wide range of observations and a larger understanding ofgenetical inheritance which proves the theory of Natural Selection.
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Fossils Evidence Genes |
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What is Speciation? |
Changes due to natural selection over a long period of time may result in the formation of new species. If two groups of the same species are separated the changes canresult in the two groups no longer interbreeding to produce fertile youngforming two new species. |
Forexample Chimanzee’s and Bonbo’sboth came from common ancestors but were separated by the Congo river. They hadgeographical isolation. Due to the changes this made to their characteristicsthis lead to reproductive isolation meaning they could no longer interbreed toproduce fertile young.
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What is meant by the term exponential growth? |
Growth whose rate becomes more rapid |
Growth whose r_ _ _ becomes more _ _ _ _ _
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What is biodiversity? |
The biological variety in a habitat |
E.g. The number of different species in a pond |
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What are indicator species? |
A species which indicates the level of pollution by its presence or absence |
Pollution |
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What is acid rain? |
Many fossil fuels contain impurities (e.g sulphur) so when they are burned they release acidic gases such as sulphur dioxide. These gases react with oxygen and water in the air to form (sulphuric) acid. This falls as acid rain which has a low pH. The acid rain can kill animals in water and cause damage to leaves on plants. It can also erode buildings made of limestone. |
Fossil fuels Impurities Burnt Release acidic gases React with oxygen and water |
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What is the greenhouse effect? |
Combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. The greenhouse gases collect in the Earths atmosphere. Shortwave radiation from the sun heats up the Earth. This solar radiation is reflected fromthe Earth’s surface. Thegreenhouse gases absorb much of this heat which keeps the Earth warm(greenhouse effect). Anincrease in the greenhouse effect will cause global warming. |
Fossil Fuels Greenhouse Gases Atmosphere Radiation from sun Absorbed Greenhouse effect |
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What is Carbon Footprint? |
The amount of greenhouse gases given off in a certain period of time |
Measurement of greenhouse gases given off |
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What is ozone depletion? |
The ozone layer is a layer of ozone gas found in the upper atmosphere. It absorbs most of the ultraviolet light from the sun. Many pollutants (e.g. CFC's) damage the ozone layer. A hole in the ozone layer has appeared over the north pole. An increase in ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer. |
Ultra violet light CFC's NOTHING TO DO WITH GREENHOUSE EFFECT!!! |
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What is meant by the term endangered? |
A species is threatened and may become extinct |
A s_ _ _ _ _ _ is t_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and may become e_ _ _ _ _ _
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What is meant by the term extinct? |
All of the species have died out and are no longer in existence |
Dodo bird |
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What is a sustainable resource? |
Something used by humans which can be removed from the environment without it running out. |
Not fossil fuels Renewable |
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What is meant by sustainable development?
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Providing the needs of an increasing population without harming the environment |
Woodland Fish stocks |
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Why do organisms become endangered/extinct? |
Habitat loss and destruction Hunting Lack of food Climate change Pollution Competition |
What do and don't organisms need? |
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How can endangered species be helped? |
Protecting habitats Legal protection Education programs Captive breeding Seed banks Creating artificial ecosystems |
What can we do? |
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Benefits of conservation programs to humans. |
Protects food supply Ensures minimal damage to food chains Future identification of plants for medical purposes Cultural aspects |
Use your common sense |
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How can we evaluate the success of a conservation program? |
Genetic variation of key species Viability of the population Available habitats Interaction between species |
Guess |
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Why are certain whale species close to extinction? |
Their bones, blubber and fat are used in oils, foods and cosmetics |
Humans |
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Why are whales kept in captivity |
Entertainment Research Captive Breeding |
Whales have commercial value when alive for tourism and whale watching |
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Why is conservation of whales so difficult? |
Communication Migration patterns Survival at extreme depths Getting international agreements Policing and enforcing agreements |
Legal issues Whale behaviour |
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How can fish stocks and woodland be sustained and developed? |
Education Fishing quotas Replanting of woodland Planning and co-operation at local, national, and international levels. |
This is the last question - you may as well have a go yourself! |
