This document discusses biodiversity and the classification of species. It explores where life can be found on Earth and estimates there are over 1.7 million classified species but up to 15 million total species. The document examines three main ways species can be classified - biologically based on ability to breed, morphologically based on physical features, and phylogenetically based on evolutionary history. It provides examples of interspecies interactions like food chains, symbiotic relationships, and ecosystems reliance on biodiversity.

2. Think. Pair. Share.
• Where (specifically) can we find life
on Earth?
• Is there anywhere on Earth that life
does not exist?

3. Mountain Tops: Is There Life?

4. Hot Springs: Is There Life?

5. Antarctica: Is There Life?

6. Geysers : Is There Life?

7. Digestive Tracts of Other Animals:
Is There Life?

8. Clouds: Is There Life?

9. Bottom of the Ocean:
Is There Life?

10. Deserts: Is There Life?

11. Volcanoes: Is There Life?

12. Lava: Is There Life?

13. Centre of the Earth: Is There Life?

14. There are over 1.7 million classified species known
to scientists.
It is estimated that there are about 15 million in
total, and they are almost everywhere.
Biodiversity and Classifying Species

15. Biodiversity and Classifying Species
The most common definition of species:
1) Biological - A group of organisms that are able to naturally (no help
from humans) breed and produce fertile offspring.
dog
(labrador)
dog
(poodle)
dog
(labradoodle)
The labradoodle is not sterile (can mate) and so the Labrador and
poodle are of the same species.

16. Biodiversity and Classifying Species
horse zebra zebroid
(zorse)
Zorses are sterile. This means that even though horses and zebras are
similar and can produce babies, they are not of the same species.
When 2 different species mate and successfully produce a new
organism it is called a hybrid.

17. - Sometimes, the species of animals are classified based on other
criteria:
2) Morpholoical – the structural and physical features (morphology)
of the species (ex. colour, size, shape)
Biodiversity and Classifying Species

18. Biodiversity and Classifying Species
Sometimes, the species of animals are classified based on other
criteria:
3) Phylogenetic – how the species has grown and changed over the
course of history (how it evolved). Includes DNA analysis.

19. Think. Pair. Share.
Why are there 3 different ways to classify the species of organisms?
(What are the advantages or disadvantages of each system?)

20. Species
Concept
Advantages Disadvantages
Biological - Most common system.
- Leaves little doubt
regarding offspring
fertility.
- Species of asexually reproducing species
and fossils can not be determined.
- Some hybrids have only reduced fertility
(ex. ligers and tigons).
- Not all mating combinations can be
"naturally" tested.
Morphological - Easy to do.
- Requires observations
only.
- All members of a species look
somewhat different.
- Physical features of some species
members can vary greatly.
- Major differences may only exist in
interior anatomy.
Phylogenetic - Can be used for
extinct species.
- DNA analysis for
comparing organisms is
very detailed.
- Evolutionary histories are not always
known.

21. Hybridization and asexual
reproduction make the
biological species
definition tenuous (iffy): Orange + Pomello
= Grapefruit
Example of
Hybridization:
Example of Asexual
Reproduction (one parent):

22. Biodiversity and Classifying Species
Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world. Species in ecosystems
must interact. Their success depends on each other, as each species
plays a specific role.

23. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
1) Food supply
2) Protection
3) Transportation
4) Reproduction
5) Hygiene
6) Digestion

24. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
1) Food supply
Ex. This amoeba is engulfing a protist.

25. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
1) Food supply
Ex. Many species of female mosquitoes must consume blood to
prepare for birth.

26. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
2) Protection
Ex. Sea anemones are venomous and toxic to most sea life. Clownfish
are immune to these toxins and use the anemone for protection.

27. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
2) Protection
Ex. Pearlfish live inside sea cucumbers for protection from predators.

28. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
3) Transportation
Ex. These barnacles are living on whale. They are otherwise immobile.

29. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
3) Transportation
Ex. Burdocks have small hooked spines on their heads that stick to the
fur of animals that pass by. This is used for seed dispersal.

30. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
4) Reproduction
Ex. Many plants require other organisms to help spread their pollen.

31. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
5) Hygiene
Ex. Pilot fish swim around sharks and in their mouths to eat scraps and
leftover prey from their teeth.

32. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
5) Hygiene
Ex. The Egyptian plover may rarely get its diet by eating food scraps in
the teeth of crocodiles.

33. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
6) Digestion
Ex. The rumen (extra stomach) of an animal that eats grass is filled with
microorganisms that help it break-down the grass.

34. Think. Pair. Share.
What are some examples of Interspecies Interactions (organisms
relying on another species)?
6) Digestion
Ex. Termites have bacteria in them that help digest the wood they eat.

35. Biodiversity and Classifying Species
Biodiversity has 3 parts:
1) Genetic diversity – all members of the same species are slightly
different.

37. Biodiversity and Classifying Species
Biodiversity has 3 parts:
2) Species diversity – the number of different species present.

38. Why is Biodiversity Important?
Biodiversity has 3 parts:
3) Structural diversity – the abiotic and physical traits of the
ecosystem. Also called ecosystem diversity.
Windy
Shady
Wet
Sunny

39. Think. Pair. Share. Complete the Sentence
Biodiversity is important because natural ecosystems...
- Supply humans with natural resources like medicine, wood, and
food.
- Are used by humans for agriculture (ex. pollination and soil fertility
are maintained naturally).
- Cycle carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and water.
- Help control climate, erosion, and flooding.