Biodiversity and Classification

Biodiversity is the variety of life in one area that is determined by the number of different _____________ in that area.

• abiotics
• species 
• plants
• animals

Why is genetic diversity important?

• A population with less species  diversity is more likely to survive an outbreak of disease since less species means less chance of disease spread.
• A population with less species  diversity is more likely to survive the competition among species.
• A population with more genetic diversity is more likely to survive environmental changes, a disease outbreak, or the disappearance of a food source.
• A population with less genetic diversity is more likely to survive changes food supply and demand.

The variety within a biological community of interacting organisms and its physical environment present in the biosphere is called

• biome diversity.
• ecosystem diversity.
• genetic diversity.
• species diversity.

Biodiversity is valuable to humans in that

• people buy and sell living things in the pet trade and for esthetic reasons.
• living things depend on people for food, clothing, energy, medicine, and shelter.
• people depend on other living things for food, clothing, energy, medicine, and shelter.
• we have been taught at the earliest age that diversity is a good word so we use it in all endeavors.

Why might a species be valuable someday? 

• Scientists have exhausted new medicines found in nature. 
• It is more pleasing to have wild species than the domesticated ones so we can call the foods “natural”.
• Wild species might someday be needed for medicines and to create better crops for growing food.
• Species found in nature can be used for organic foods for those who want them and are willing to pay for it.

Which of the following is an indirect value of biodiversity?

• medicines
• food
• construction materials
• *  clean water

Which of the following is of value concerning biodiversity? 

• Preserved ecosystems are aesthetically beautiful.
• Preserved ecosystems have no other value except as a place for recreation.
• Humans have no damaging effects on preserved ecosystems.
• It sounds good in this era of political correctness.

The introduction of nonnative species have caused native species to become extinct for many reasons. Which of the following is NOT a valid reason?

• Nonnative species can harm native species by bringing in diseases. 
• The introduction of nonnative species actually strengthens native species as they compete for resources.
• Cats, dogs, or other predators are often introduced by humans harming native species which have no defense to them.
• Often introduced exotic species outcompete native species for food and habitat.

This table shows approximate numbers of extinctions for various species groups. Which two species groups have the highest extinction rates?

• fish and amphibians
• invertebrates and flowering plants
• birds and mammals
• birds and reptiles

At one time, about 50 million bison roamed the central plains of North America. The bison nearly became extinct because of overhunting. By 1889, there were fewer than 1000 bison left. This is an example of 

• overhead costs of hunting.
• overharvesting.
• overpopulation.
• overexploitation.