Introduction to Biodiversity and Biotechnology

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Questions and Answers

What is background extinction rate estimated to be based on the fossil record?

1 per ten species years

1 per thousand species years

1 per hundred species years

1 per million species years (correct)

Why are extinction rates currently so high?

Due to anthropogenic causes (correct)

Due to genetic modification

Due to biotechnology

Due to natural causes

What is the current extinction event being referred to?

7th Mass Extinction

6th Mass Extinction (correct)

5th Mass Extinction

8th Mass Extinction

What is genetic engineering also known as?

Genetic modification Signup and view all the answers

What is biotechnology?

The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of artificial selection?

Dog breeds Signup and view all the answers

What is a transgene?

A gene from a different species Signup and view all the answers

What is golden rice known for providing?

Vitamin A Signup and view all the answers

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered in a way that does not occur naturally Signup and view all the answers

How long have humans been modifying crops and animals?

For thousands of years Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves have genetically modified ingredients?

60% to 70% Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a gene that has been transferred from one organism to another?

Transgene Signup and view all the answers

How were most livestock, crops, and pets developed?

Through selective breeding or artificial selection Signup and view all the answers

From which wild species was maize developed?

Teosinte Signup and view all the answers

What is biodiversity?

The total variety of life on Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of species diversity?

A collection of different species of fungi Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with developing a classification scheme for organisms?

Carolus Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

What is the broadest, most inclusive taxonomic category?

Domain Signup and view all the answers

What is taxonomy?

The scientific study of naming and classifying organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is used to classify organisms in taxonomy?

Both morphology and genetics Signup and view all the answers

What are the three Domains that all living things can be categorized into?

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya Signup and view all the answers

Which Domain includes unicellular and multicellular organisms with eukaryotic cells?

Eukarya Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which populations change over time, according to evolutionary theory?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

Who are the two scientists credited with co-discovering evolutionary theory?

Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for organisms that thrive in extreme environments?

Extremophiles Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which beneficial traits become more common in a population over time?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for organisms that make their own food?

Autotrophs Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the variation of traits in a population that allows for natural selection to occur?

Genetic variation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of proteins in cells and organisms?

To carry out many functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which DNA is copied into RNA?

Transcription Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

To transcribe DNA into RNA Signup and view all the answers

What are the building blocks of proteins?

Amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the molecule that contains the genetic information of an organism?

DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which RNA is used to make proteins?

Translation Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to proteins?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the concept that explains how traits are passed from parents to offspring?

Gene theory Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gene Theory and Genetic Engineering

Gene theory explains how traits are passed from parents to offspring, providing a framework for understanding genetics, heredity, and evolution.
Genes are segments of DNA that contain instructions for making proteins, which are the building blocks of life.
Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins.

DNA, RNA, and Proteins

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double-stranded molecule containing genetic information.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a single-stranded molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to proteins.
Proteins are the building blocks of life and carry out many functions in cells and organisms.

Transcription and Translation

Transcription is the process by which DNA is copied into RNA, occurring in the nucleus of a cell and involving the enzyme RNA polymerase.
Translation is the process by which RNA is used to make proteins, occurring in the cytoplasm of a cell and involving ribosomes.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the total variety of life on Earth, including genetic variability, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Taxonomy is the scientific study of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics.
Carolus Linnaeus developed a classification scheme using morphology to group organisms into hierarchical categories.

Domains of Life

All living things can be categorized into one of three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Domain Bacteria includes microscopic, unicellular prokaryotes, with some species being autotrophs and others being heterotrophs.
Domain Archaea includes microscopic, unicellular prokaryotes, with many being extremophiles.
Domain Eukarya includes unicellular and multicellular organisms with eukaryotic cells, including the plant, animal, fungus, and protist kingdoms.

Origin of Biodiversity

Evolution by natural selection provides a logical explanation for how populations change over time, leading to the creation of new species.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace co-discovered the concept of evolution through natural selection.

Biodiversity and Extinction

Change in biodiversity over time has led to the current high extinction rates, with many extinctions due to anthropogenic causes.
The current extinction rate is higher than the background rate, with many species going extinct before they are even discovered.

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Biotechnology involves the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products.
Genetic engineering (genetic modification) is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome to alter its genetic makeup.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination.
Transgenes are genes that have been transferred from one organism to another using genetic engineering techniques.

History of Genetic Modification

Humans have modified crops and animals for thousands of years using traditional breeding practices (selective breeding or artificial selection).
Most livestock, crops, and pets were developed by genetically modifying the traits of wild species.
Biotechnology is a broad area of biology involving the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products.

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Description

Learn about the interconnection of society, environment, and health, and explore genetic engineering, ethics, and impacts. Understand gene theory and its importance in biology.