Introduction to Biodiversity

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Questions and Answers

Which domain includes both unicellular and multicellular organisms with eukaryotic cells?

Prokarya

Archaea

Bacteria

Eukarya (correct)

What is the primary mechanism by which populations evolve over time, as identified by Darwin and Wallace?

Natural selection (correct)

Gene flow

Mutation

Genetic drift

What is a common outcome of natural selection in populations over time?

All members become genetically identical

New species cannot form

Beneficial traits become more common (correct)

Populations stop changing

What percentage of processed foods in the U.S. grocery stores is estimated to contain genetically modified ingredients?

60% to 70% Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a gene that has been transferred from one organism to another through genetic engineering?

Transgene Signup and view all the answers

What has been a significant impact of anthropogenic activities on biodiversity?

Increased extinction rates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of genetic engineering?

No change in crop yield Signup and view all the answers

What ancient crop is known to have been developed more than 8,000 years ago from a wild species called teosinte?

Maize Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated background extinction rate per million species years based on fossil records?

1 per million Signup and view all the answers

Which types of organisms are included in the Domain Archaea?

Unicellular prokaryotes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of proteins within living organisms?

To act as building blocks and perform various functions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes DNA?

A double-stranded molecule containing genetic information Signup and view all the answers

What is the measure of variation at the species level in biodiversity known as?

Species diversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes gene theory?

It explains how traits are inherited through genes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a scientist contributing to the classification of organisms?

Carolus Linnaeus with the Systema Naturae Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cells?

To carry genetic information from DNA to proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which level of taxonomy is the broadest and most inclusive?

Domain Signup and view all the answers

What type of RNA is responsible for bringing amino acids to the ribosome?

Transfer RNA (tRNA) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the total variety of life on Earth, measuring variation at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.
An example of species diversity is a sampling of fungi, leaf lichens, and mosses collected in Northern Saskatchewan.
Carolus Linnaeus developed a classification scheme, Systema Naturae, using morphology to categorize organisms hierarchically.
Taxonomy is the scientific study of naming, defining, and classifying organisms based on shared characteristics.
Organisms are categorized into three Domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Domain Archaea are microscopic, unicellular prokaryotes, often extremophiles, having genetic differences from bacteria.
Domain Bacteria are microscopic, unicellular prokaryotes, some being autotrophs and others heterotrophs.
Domain Eukarya comprises unicellular and multicellular organisms with eukaryotic cells, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
Evolution by natural selection explains how populations change over time, leading to new species and billions of years of life on Earth.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently discovered evolutionary theory, using extensive global observations and specimen collection.

Origin of Biodiversity

Natural selection is a mechanism enabling populations to evolve through trait variations.
Individuals with advantageous traits better suited to their environment survive, reproduce, and pass these traits.
Over time, advantageous traits become common, and those that are not beneficial become rarer.
The background extinction rate is estimated to be about 1 per million species-years, based on the fossil record.
Current extinction rates significantly exceed the background rate, potentially indicating a sixth mass extinction event.
Most current extinctions are tied to anthropogenic (human-caused) factors.

Biodiversity and Extinction

High extinction rates currently point towards an ongoing 6th mass extinction event.
Most extinctions are now attributed to human activities.

Introduction to Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the broad area of biology using living systems to make products.
Genetic engineering (or genetic modification) directly alters an organism's genome.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms with altered characteristics that don't arise naturally through mating.
Transgenes are genes transferred naturally or through genetic engineering.
Traditional breeding practices (selective breeding) have been used for thousands of years to modify crops and animals.
Modern examples of this artificial selection are crops and livestock, often with traits dissimilar from those of their wild ancestors.
Maize/corn evolved from a wild species called teosinte, likely starting over 8000 years ago.
60-70% of processed foods in the USA contain genetically modified ingredients.
Examples of GM foods include Starlink corn.

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Benefits of Genetic Engineering include enhanced nutrition, increased food supply (cheaper production), increased pest and disease resistance (reduced pesticides), ability to grow food in harsh climates, and production of drugs.
A 2016 NASEM report reviewed over 900 research articles, finding no evidence of ecological harm from genetic transfer to wild species or harmful effects to human health, compared to traditionally bred crops.

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Description

Explore the diversity of life on Earth with our quiz on biodiversity. Test your understanding of genetic, species, and ecosystem levels, as well as the classification schemes developed by Carolus Linnaeus. Dive into the three domains of life and their unique characteristics.