Multicellular Organisms and Biodiversity

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Questions and Answers

Kingdom Plantae contains both unicellular and multicellular organisms.

False (B)

All multicellular organisms are part of the domain Eukarya.

True (A)

Kingdom Animalia organisms are non-motile and have cell walls.

False (B)

Kingdom Protista contains both autotrophs and heterotrophs.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Gamma diversity measures the variation in species between two ecosystems.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stable ecosystems typically have high diversity and many species to fill ecological roles.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Kingdom Fungi includes only multicellular organisms.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Species biodiversity is concerned with the variation of genetic material within an ecosystem.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Domains are classified into kingdoms based on evolutionary evidence.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Genetic biodiversity often involves the study of genomes.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Abiotic factors in ecosystems include living organisms like bacteria and fungi.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stable ecosystems with high diversity typically recover faster from environmental disturbances.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Symbiotic relationships always benefit the organisms involved.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Competition between species limits reproductive potential by competing for the same resources.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Endosymbiosis is when an organism lives on the surface of another organism.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Herbivory is a type of predation involving plants as prey.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Camouflage is a strategy used exclusively by predators to catch prey.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is unaffected.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mimicry involving harmful and non-harmful species is known as Mullerian mimicry.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Parasitic relationships typically benefit the host organism.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Multicellular organisms

Organisms composed of multiple cells, belonging to the domain Eukarya and possessing eukaryotic cells.

Biodiversity

The study of the variety of life on Earth, encompassing species, genetic, and ecological diversity.

Alpha diversity

Measures the number of different species within a particular ecosystem.

Beta diversity

Measures the variation in species composition between two or more ecosystems.

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Gamma diversity

Measures the total number of species across all ecosystems within a region.

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Genetic diversity

Focuses on the variation in genetic material within a specific ecosystem.

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Ecological diversity

Investigates the variety of ecosystem types within a geographical area.

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Niche

A specialized role or function that an organism plays in its ecosystem.

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Autotrophs

Organisms that can create their own food through photosynthesis.

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Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

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Ecosystem Resilience

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.

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Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and sunlight.

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Ecosystem

The interaction between living organisms and their environment.

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Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

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Limiting Factors

Factors that limit the growth and distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.

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Symbiotic Relationship

A long-term interaction between two different species.

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Obligate Symbiosis

A symbiotic relationship essential for the survival of both organisms.

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Facultative Symbiosis

A symbiotic relationship that benefits both organisms but is not essential for survival.

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Predator

An organism that hunts and kills another organism for food.

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Prey

The organism that is hunted and eaten by a predator.

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Study Notes

Multicellular Organisms

  • Multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells
  • All belong to the domain Eukarya and are made of eukaryotic cells
  • Domains are grouped based on evolutionary traits (gene sequences, rRNA)
  • Further classified into kingdoms
  • Four main kingdoms with multicellular organisms: Plantae, Protista, Fungi, Animalia
  • Plantae and Protista contain multicellular autotrophs (produce their own food)
    • Plant cells are specialized with chloroplasts
  • Animalia contains multicellular heterotrophs (obtain energy from consumption)
    • Motile (able to move) and lack cell walls
  • Protista, Plantae, and Fungi may have both unicellular and multicellular members
    • Fungi and protists possess cell walls

Biodiversity

  • Biodiversity measures variation within living systems
  • Divided into three categories: species, genetic, and ecological
  • Species biodiversity:
    • Alpha diversity: species count in one ecosystem
    • Beta diversity: species variation between ecosystems
    • Gamma diversity: total species across all ecosystems
  • Genetic biodiversity: variation in genetic material within a population
    • Focuses on the genome (organism's complete DNA)
  • Ecological biodiversity: number of ecosystems within a region
    • Microclimates (variations in climate over small areas)
  • Biodiversity is measured at various scales and levels

Abiotic Factors in Ecosystems

  • Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem (physical and chemical parts of the environment)
  • Ecosystems are the spaces where living and non-living things interact
  • Ecosystems include populations interacting through trophic relationships and using available space
  • Also include biotic factors (living things - viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, animals)
  • Limiting factors: abiotic factors that have minimum survival requirements for species (water, temp., O2, sunlight)
  • Examples of other abiotic factors: wind, hurricanes, soil chemistry, cloud cover, earthquakes, human contamination

Symbiosis

  • Symbiosis: long-term interaction between species
    • May benefit both, one, or neither
    • Obligate vs. facultative (essential vs. optional)
    • Diverse impacts (negative, neutral, positive)
    • Includes microorganisms, plants, fungi, and animals
  • Types of symbiotic relationships:
    • Mutualism: both benefit
    • Commensalism: one benefits, other is unaffected
    • Amensalism: one harmed, other unaffected
    • Parasitism: one benefits (parasite), other harmed (host)
    • Competition: both harmed (for resources)
    • Mimicry: one species resembles another
    • Co-evolution: species evolve in response to each other's changes

Predation & Coevolution

  • Predation: one organism hunts and eats another
    • Prey: organism being eaten (plants or animals)
  • Herbivory: prey is a plant
  • Predation is a strong selective force for prey
  • Coevolution: species evolve in response to each other's evolution
  • Adaptations for predators and prey:
    • Camouflage (blending)
    • Chemical defenses (toxins)
    • Mimicry (resembling dangerous species)
      • Batesian mimicry: harmless resembles harmful
      • Müllerian mimicry: multiple harmful species share warning signals

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