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Biology-12 : 13 : Biodiversity and Conservation - Flashcards

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What is biodiversity?
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Biodiversity refers to the immense diversity or heterogeneity existing at all levels of biological organisation, from macromolecules within cells to biomes.
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# Question Answer
1 What is biodiversity? Biodiversity refers to the immense diversity or heterogeneity existing at all levels of biological organisation, from macromolecules within cells to biomes.
2 What variation is seen in Rauwolfia vomitoria growing in different Himalayan ranges? Variation in potency and concentration of the active chemical reserpine.
3 What is ecological diversity? Diversity at the ecosystem level.
4 Why is it difficult to estimate the total number of species on Earth? Because many species are yet to be discovered and described.
5 What type of comparison do biologists use to estimate total species on Earth? Statistical comparison of temperate-tropical species richness.
6 Which groups are included under plants in biodiversity records? Algae, fungi, bryophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
7 Why are estimates of prokaryotic species difficult to make? Conventional taxonomic methods are not suitable for identifying microbial species.
8 Approximately how many animal species have been recorded in India? About twice the number of plant species.
9 Which regions generally harbour more species: tropical or polar regions? Tropical regions.
10 How many plant species are found in the Amazonian rain forest? More than 40,000 species.
11 How many reptile species are found in the Amazonian rain forest? 378 species.
12 How does greater solar energy in the tropics contribute to biodiversity? It leads to higher productivity, which indirectly contributes to greater diversity.
13 What kind of relationship is obtained on a logarithmic scale in species-area relationships? A straight-line relationship.
14 What is the Z value range for very large areas such as continents? 0.6 to 1.2.
15 What is one characteristic of a stable biological community? It should not show too much variation in productivity from year to year.
16 Why is rich biodiversity essential according to the text? It is essential for ecosystem health and the survival of the human race.
17 Which factor is mainly blamed for biodiversity loss? Human activities.
18 How many plant species were included among the extinct species listed by IUCN (2004)? 87 species.
19 What percentage of bird species face the threat of extinction? 12 per cent.
20 What is the present ongoing extinction event called? The Sixth Extinction.
21 How does biodiversity loss affect resistance to environmental perturbations? It lowers resistance to disturbances such as drought.
22 Why is the Amazon rain forest being cut and cleared? For cultivating soya beans and converting land into grasslands for beef cattle.
23 What is the effect of overharvesting marine fish populations? It endangers the continued existence of commercially important species.
24 Which illegally introduced fish threatens indigenous catfishes in Indian rivers? African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).
25 Name the three categories of reasons for conserving biodiversity. Narrowly utilitarian, broadly utilitarian, and ethical.
26 What does the broadly utilitarian argument for biodiversity conservation state? Biodiversity plays a major role in ecosystem services provided by nature.
27 What moral responsibility do humans have regarding biodiversity? To care for species and pass biological legacy in good order to future generations.
28 What is endemism? Species being confined to a region and not found anywhere else.
29 How many biosphere reserves are there in India according to the text? 14.
30 Which hills of Rajasthan contain sacred groves? Aravalli Hills.
31 Name some institutions used for ex situ conservation. Zoological parks, botanical gardens, and wildlife safari parks.
32 Which method is used to propagate plants in ex situ conservation? Tissue culture.
33 Where was the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002? Johannesburg, South Africa.
34 Which three levels of biodiversity are particularly important? Genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
35 What percentage of animal species are insects? About 70 per cent.
36 Why do tropics have greater species richness according to the summary? They had more evolutionary time, more constant environments, and greater solar energy availability.
37 Approximately how many species have become extinct in recent times? Nearly 700 species.
38 Name some direct benefits humans obtain from biodiversity. Food, fibre, firewood, and pharmaceuticals.
39 How many biosphere reserves are present in India according to the summary? 14 biosphere reserves.
40 What is cryopreservation used for in biodiversity conservation? Long-term preservation of gametes.