Classification, biodiversity and conservation

Classification: species concepts, three domains and taxonomySign up

understand that classification organises the variety of life using phenotypic and genotypic differences, built around the species concept · understand the importance of critical evaluation of new data by the scientific community, leading to new taxonomic groupings based on molecular evidence (three-domain system: Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya) · know that, over time, the variety of life has become extensive but is now being threatened by human activity

The four eukaryotic kingdoms and classification of virusesSign up

outline the characteristic features of the kingdoms Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia (18.1.5) · outline how viruses are classified, limited to the type of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) and whether this is single stranded or double stranded (18.1.6)

Ecosystems, niches and sampling distribution and abundanceSign up

understand the terms population, community, habitat and ecosystem · understand that the numbers and distribution of organisms in a habitat are controlled by biotic and abiotic factors · understand how the concept of niche accounts for distribution and abundance of organisms in a habitat · CORE PRACTICAL 11: study the ecology of a habitat using quadrats and transects; measure relevant abiotic factors

Measuring and analysing biodiversitySign up

understand the terms biodiversity and endemism · know how biodiversity within a habitat is measured using species richness, and within a species using genetic diversity via the heterozygosity index = number of heterozygotes / number of individuals · understand how biodiversity is compared between habitats using the index of diversity D = N(N−1) / Σn(n−1)

Extinction, maintaining biodiversity and conservation methodsSign up

explain why populations and species can become extinct as a result of climate change, competition, hunting by humans, and degradation/loss of habitats (18.3.1) - the climate-change driver draws on the sunk al-edx-bio-4.1-lesson-8 climate material; this outcome has NO coverage in the seed · outline reasons for the need to maintain biodiversity (ecological, economic, ethical and aesthetic reasons) (18.3.2) - no coverage in the seed · outline the roles of zoos, botanic gardens, conserved areas (including national parks and marine parks), 'frozen zoos' and seed banks in the conservation of endangered species (18.3.3) - seed al-edx-bio-2.2-lesson-8 covers only the zoos + seed banks fragment; botanic gardens, conserved areas and frozen zoos are authored fresh

Assisted reproduction, invasive species and conservation organisationsSign up

describe methods of assisted reproduction used in the conservation of endangered mammals, limited to IVF, embryo transfer and surrogacy (18.3.4) · explain reasons for controlling invasive alien species (18.3.5) · outline the role in conservation of the IUCN and of CITES (18.3.6)