Unit A: Topic 1-3 Review
PLEASE NOTE: This is only a 1 page review with select answers from
Mrs. Carrick to help your study efforts. The best way to prepare for
your test still involves a thorough review of your class notes and
reading
through
theandtopics
Topic
1 - Biological
Diversity
Survivalin the textbook.
1. What does the term biological diversity refer to?
It refers to the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region
2. What are the main components of biological diversity?
The Number or species and Variety of species
3. What is the difference between abiotic and biotic?
** Please refer to your notes and/or textbook for this answer
4. Explain the difference between structural and behavioral adaptations with examples of each.
Structural adaptations refer to a physical structure that allows the organism a better chance of
survival. Example: Spikes, scales, fur, etc.
Behavioral adaptations refer to a behavior that allows the organism a better chance of survival.
Example: Migration, hibernation, etc.
5. What is the value of variation?
Variation is the key to genetic diversity which helps contribute to the survival of living things by
producing populations that have a lot of variation.
Example: If there was a particularly long cold winter, perhaps only those grizzlies with especially
thick coats would survive the winter, but those with thinner coats might not. So the grizzly
population’s variation (genetic diversity) would allow at least some of the individuals of the
grizzly population to survive changing environmental conditions.
6. Explain the arrangement of species. (Individual, Population, Community, Ecosystem)
** Please refer to your notes and/or textbook for this answer
7. Explain the difference between variation in a species and variation between species.
Variability in a species describes the differences among various individuals of the same species
(i.e Freckles, brown hair, birth marks). Variability between species describes the differences
between individuals of different species (i.e Lions vs. Horses).
8. What is the 7 step Classification System used by scientists? (name each of the 7 steps)
9. What makes a “species” unique?
The ability to reproduce only with other members of that same species; sharing similar
appearances/traits.
10. What is Speciation?
** Please refer to your notes and/or textbook for this answer
Topic 2 - Habitat and Lifestyle
1. Explain what is included in an organism’s niche.
** Please refer to your notes and/or textbook for this answer
2. What is resource partitioning?
Resource partitioning occurs when similar species share different parts of a resource.
3. Explain resource partitioning in the spruce tree and briefly explain what warbler populations
would be affected directly, if lightning hit the top part of the tree. (p. 18)
In the example of the spruce tree, three species of warblers share different parts of a tree to
ensure the food source—spruce bud worms. If lightning hit the top part of the tree – the species
of warbler that primarily feeds on this section of the tree would have a decreased food source.
Due to this, they may start encroaching on the other warbler species sections of the spruce tree,
increasing competition between species.
Why is there little diversity and large populations in Northern Canada and high diversity with
small populations in Central and South America? (include: “broad niche” and “narrow niche”)
** Please refer to your notes and/or textbook for this answer
4. Explain the difference between the type of niche specialists and generalists have.
Organisms that can survive in various conditions and locations have broad niches and are called
Generalists. They must also be able to eat a variety of plants or other animals. Organisms that
survive in a very small location that require very consistent conditions are called Specialists.
These organisms have adaptations directed towards competing for one dependable food source,
one type of soil, or one level of light.
5. Give an explanation and an example of each type of symbiotic relationship: Commensalism,
Mutualism, Parasitism, Interspecies competition”

Commensalism: benefits one organism and has no apparent effect on the other organism.
For example, a bird will build a nest in a tree.

Mutualism benefits both living things. For example, in lichen, the algae produce food and the
fungus protects the algae from dehydration.

Parasitism benefits only one organism. For example, a tapeworm robs its host of nutrients.

Interspecies competition: When two or more species need the same resource and neither
benefit. This limits the sizes of the populations of the competing species. For example. If
there are two different species (Lion vs. Hyena) competing for the same food source, there is
less for each species.
Topic 3 - Passing It On
1. Briefly describe the difference reproductive processes that can occur asexually.
a. Binary Fission
 Involves a one celled organism.
 1 parent cell = 2 new cells.
b.
c.
d.
e.
 The cells become an exact replication of each other.
Spore Production
 Spores (single celled structures) a very similar to seeds, but they contain genetically
identical material to that of their parent.
 Examples: bread mold, mushrooms, mosses and ferns.
Cuttings
 Cutting from a parent stem (of a plant) may be used to produce new plants that
clones (creates an exact copies) if that stem is planted.
Budding
 Parent produces a small, attached version of itself.
 The offspring can stay connected or detached
 Examples: Coral, yeast, hydra
Vegetative Reproduction
 There are many different types including runners, tubers and suckers.
 Examples: Strawberry plants, potatoes, and aspen trees.
2. Explain the process of sexual reproduction in plants and label the parts of the flower.
3. Explain the process of sexual reproduction in animals.
sperm cells
fertilization
egg cells
(oocyte/ova)
zygote
Cell
division
(cleavage)
embryo
4. Explain the process of conjugation in bacteria.
The process in bacterial cells in which two bacterial cells come together in a temporary fusion to
transfer genetic material
5. Some organisms can reproduce sexually and asexually. Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of each process
** Please refer to your notes and/or textbook for this answer