Biology Module 4 Definitions Ch.10 And 11

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Taxonomic group

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The hierarchal groups of classification- domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

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Kingdom

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Second biggest and broadest taxonomic group.

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Species

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Smallest and most specific taxonomic group.

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Binomial nomenclature

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Scientific naming of a species with a name that contains the genus and then followed by the species. E.g. homo sapiens.

Sp. is used after genus when the species is not fully identified.

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Phylogeny

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The evolutionary relationships between organisms.

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Phylogenetic trees

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It is a diagram that are used to represent the evolutionary relationships between organisms. They are branched diagrams, which show that different species have evolved from a common ancestor.

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Natural selection

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The process by which organisms best suited to their environment survive and reproduce, passing on their characteristics to their offspring through their genes.

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Homologous structure

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It is a structure that appears superficially different in different organisms, but has the same underlying structure.

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Divergent evolution

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Species diverge over time into two different species, resulting in a nee species becoming less like the original one.

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Interspecific variation

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The differences between organisms of different species.

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Intraspecific variation

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The differences between organisms of the same species.

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Genetic variation

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A variety of different allele combinations in a population.

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Continuous variation

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A characteristic that can take any value within a range e.g. height.

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Discontinuous variation

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A characteristic that can only result in certain discrete values e.g. blood type.

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Normal distribution curve

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Bell-shaped curve that results from plotting continuous variation data on a graph.

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Student's t test

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Statistical test used to compare the means of data values of 2 populations.

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Adaptation

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It is a characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival an reproduction in its environment.

Anatomical- physical features

Behavioural- the way an organism acts- can be innate or learned

Physiological- processes that takes place inside an organism.

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Analogous structures

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Structures that have adapted to perform the same function but have a different origin.

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Convergent evolution

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Organisms evolve similarities because the organisms adapt to similar environments or other selection pressures.

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Selection pressure

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Factors that affect an organisms chance of survival or reproductive success.

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Biodiversity

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The variety of living organisms present in an area.

The types of biodiversity are:

habitat biodiversity

species biodiversity

genetic biodiversity

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Species richness

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The number of different species living in a particular area.

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Species evenness

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A comparison of the numbers of individuals of each species living in a community.

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Habitat biodiversity

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Refers to the no. of different habitats found within an area.

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Genetic biodiversity

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Refers to the variety of genes that make up a species.

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Sampling

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Taking measurements of a limited number of individual organisms present in a particular area.

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Random sampling

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Sampling where each individual in a population has an equal likelihood of selection.

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Non-random sampling

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Alternative sampling method where the sample is not chosen at random. It can be opportunistic, stratified or systematic.

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Belt transect

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2 parallel lines are marked across the ground and samples are of the area at specified points.

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Line transect

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A line is marked along the ground and samples are taken at specified points.

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Point quadrat

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Consists of a frame containing a horizontal bar. At set intervals, long pins can be pushed through the bar to reach the ground. Each species of plant the pin touches is recorded.

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Frame quadrat

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This consists of a square frame divided into a grid of equal sections. The type and number of species within each section of the quadrat is recorded.

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Abiotic factors

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Non-living conditions in a habitat that have a direct effect on the living organisms that reside there.

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Simpson's Index of Diversity

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A measure of biodiversity that takes into account both species richness and species evenness.

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Gene flow

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When alleles are transferred from one population to another by interbreeding.

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Genetic bottleneck

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When large numbers of a population die prior to reproducing, leading to reduced genetic biodiversity within the population.

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Founder effect

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When a few individuals of a species colonise a new area, their offspring initially experience a loss in genetic variation, and rare alleles can become much more common in the population.

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Monoculture

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The cultivation of a single crop in a given area

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in situ conservation

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Conservation methods within the natural habitat.

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ex situ conservation

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Conservation methods out of the natural habitat.

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Sustainable development

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Economic development that meets the needs of people today, without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

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Succession

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The progressive replacement of one dominant type of species or community by another in an ecosystem, until a stable climax community is established.

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Seed bank

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A store of genetic material from plants in the form of seeds.