CBSE Class 12 - Biology - Biodiversity and Conservation - Questions and Answers(#cbsenotes)(#eduvictors)

Biodiversity and Conservation

Class 12 - Biology  

Questions and Answers

Q1: Defined biodiversity.

Answer: Biologists typically define biodiversity as the “totality of genes, species and ecosystems of an area”. It refers to the sum total of diversity that exists at genetic, species and ecosystem level of biological organisation.


Q2: Who coined the term 'biodiversity'?

Answer: The term was coined by socio-biologist Edward Wilson and was used by Walter G Rosen for the diversity of life forms.


Q3: What are the three inter-related levels of biodiversity?



Answer:
1. Genetic diversity
2. Species diversity
3. Ecological diversity


Q4: Why speciation and extinction are the two major driving forces of biodiversity?

Answer: Each species is unique and has an intrinsic value beyond the use and benefits that man can draw upon. With the extinction of species on a large scale, the opportunity to study a wide variety of life is being lost forever. Due to human activities, species are disappearing at an alarming rate. Since species are subject to evolution, it is impossible to conserve life in an unchanging state. That's why speciation and extinction are the two major driving forces of biodiversity.


Q5: What is meant by genetic diversity?

Answer: Genetic diversity refers to diversity in the number and types of genes, as well as Chromosomes present in different species and the variations in the genes and their alleles in the same species. It helps in speciation.


Q6: What is Species diversity?

Answer: It refers to varieties in the number and richness of the species of a region.


Q7: What is the full form of IUCN?

Answer: International union for the conservation of nature and natural resources. The organisation is situated at Morges, Switzerland.


Q8: "Biodiversity is autopoietic." Justify the statement.

Answer: It means biodiversity is self-producing and self-maintaining. Due to continuous interaction among species and ecosystems, species adapt and evolve.


Q9: Describe biodiversity found in India.

Answer: India is rich in biodiversity.
✼ India has more than 50,000 genetically different varieties of rice; 1000 varieties of mango;

✼ India has 1,42,000 known species of plants and animals (Around 45,000 species of plants and rest of animals).

✼ India has 8.1% of the share of global biodiversity.

✼ India is one of 12 Mega diversity countries of the world.


Q9: What is biopiracy?

Answer: The clandestine exploitation and utilisation of bioresources from a country by several organisations and multinational companies without proper authorisation is known as Biopiracy.


Q10: Define endemism.

Answer: It is the condition when species confined to that region and not found anywhere else.


Q11: Why species diversity is important to the ecosystem?

Answer: Advantages of species diversity to the ecosystem are:
⑴ Ecosystems with higher biodiversity are more productive than ecosystems with lower biodiversity. David Tilman showed in his experiments that increased diversity contributes to higher productivity.

⑵ Biodiversity is essential for the stability of an ecosystem. Communities with more species are more stable than those with fewer species.

⑶ Rich biodiversity is also essential to make an ecosystem more functional and survival of the human race on the earth.



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