1. Unit One Biological Diversity

2. Unit One – Biological Diversity Topic One – Biological Diversity and Survival Biology is the study of living things (plants and animals) Therefore, Biological Diversity is the study of the differences between all living things on the planet Diversity refers to the the number of differences between objects

3. -in almost all animals and plants, there is a wide variety of differences we can see -these differences are known as VARIATIONS

4. - Variations are found in ALL groups of living things! What are some variations between students in our class?? So what’s the point? Why is variation important?

5. -Biological Diversity looks at the variation within species (genetic diversity)….

6. …the variation between species….

7. ..and the variations of ecosystems.

8. The greater the amount of variations, the greater the diversity!! The more diversity, the greater the chance for making new discoveries!

9. For example, many of our medicine comes from the different variety of tree. The Pacific Yew tree found in B.C. makes a cancer- fighting chemical called Taxol

10. As rain forests get cut down, we lose species of trees that may have medical value that may help save lives. As animals and plants become extinct, then the diversity of life on our planet decreases. Fact: In the Amazon Rain Forests, biologists have only studied five percent of the plants that exist there for medical treatment. Fact: Up to 70% of all the plants that have been studied in the rainforest have cancer-fighting properties Fact: In the last 50 years, half of the world’s rain forests have been wiped out.

11. Variations For Survival ADAPTATIONS are features that increase an organism’s chances of surviving and reproducing in a particular environment Animals that live in similar environments have similar adaptations.

12. What are adaptations of animals that live in the water??

13. Adaptations include two things: 1.Structural Adaptations: physical features that help an organism to survive in its environment a. Fins are used by marine life for mobility. b. Fur allows animals to retain body heat during cold conditions. c. Animals use color to help blend into their surroundings for protection and to hunt prey.

16. Munching on a plant stem in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, this Xylophanes caterpillar has such tiny eyes that you would need a hand lens to see them. The red "eyes" and pointed "stinger" are both fake.

18. 2. Behavioural Adaptation: -how an animal acts a. The migration of birds and whales. b. Birds dancing to attract a mate. c. Humans using sounds to communicate information. -can be taught how to act by their parents or they are born with the knowledge (instinct)

19. So, what’s the big deal about diversity then? The larger the variation between animals, the greater the chances of organisms surviving if their environment changes or their food source runs out. Ex. During the ice age, animals that had more fur or could eat a variety of food sources survived.

20. Organisms that are not adapted to their environment or are weak, die off leaving the strong or best-fitted to their environment to survive.

21. Variation Within Species -a group of organisms are classified as a SPECIES if: 1. They are similar in appearance to other of its kind. 2. They are able to mate in nature with each other and their offspring are able to breed. Ex. Grizzly bears are a species because they have a distinct look and mate with other grizzly bears. Their offspring can also give birth.

22. While they often look the same, there is great variety within a species. Some are bigger than others, some are faster, some have larger teeth, some are smarter, some are different colors

23. These differences between animals within the same species allows for even greater diversity and allows individual animals to be different.

24. Just because animals look similar to one another, doesn’t mean they are part of the same species. MULE!! Cannot have living offspring so it is not a species. STERILE

25. Variation Among Species All are thought to have developed from a common ancestor but over time, the cats evolved to fit into there own environment and food sources. Lynx, Bobcats, and Cougars look similar but all are difference species.

26. This process of a new species being formed after many generations is called SPECIATION. (SPEE – SEE – AI –SHON)

28. THETHE ENDEND