BIO 14_Lec I_Kinds of Diversity and Conservation Status

[4] Definition of Biodiversity

[3] Components/categories of biodiversity on several levels

Other term for species diversity

basic unit of inheritance; Strands of DNA found in the chromosomes, plastids and mitochondria

Includes the differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species

• Genetic Diversity
• Species diversity
• Ecosystem diversity

Adaptation to particular environmental conditions may weed out genetic variants that are not successful.

Benefits of genetic diversity in a population

• avoid inbreeding
• avoid disease epidemic
• avoid minimal topographic distribution
• avoid ecological stress

Variation of genes within a species

How to assess genetic diversity

• Morphological
• behavioral
• physiological
• karyotyping (chromosomal)
• molecular markers

Basic unit of classification