2. Biodiversity is the degree
of variation of life forms
within a
given species, ecosystem, bi
ome, or an entire planet.
Biodiversity is a measure of
the health of ecosystems.
Biodiversity is in part a
function of climate.
3. Spontaneous Generation - Redi
Louis Pasteur
Evolution - Darwin
4. The doctrine of Spontaneous Generation
holds that organic life could and does arise
from inorganic matter. To test his
hypothesis, Redi performed one of the first
known experiments to utilize a "control
group.
5. Redi placed meat in three flasks -- one
open, one sealed and one covered with
gauze. Maggots appeared in the open
flask, as the flies were able to reach the meat.
Maggots did not appear in the sealed flask or
the flask covered by gauze. At the time, this
experiment was not thought to disprove
Spontaneous Generation. It merely proved
that maggots did not come from meat.
6.
7. Louis Pasteur thought that bacteria could not
develop this way (by spontaneous
generation), like in sealed
containers, because the life force could not
get in. The theory of spontaneous generation
was finally laid to rest in 1859 by the young
French chemist, Louis Pasteur.
8. He boiled meat broth in a flask, heated the neck of the
flask in a flame until it became pliable, and bent it into
the shape of an S. Air could enter the flask, but
airborne microorganisms could not - they would settle
by gravity in the neck. As Pasteur had expected, no
microorganisms grew. When Pasteur tilted the flask
so that the broth reached the lowest point in the
neck, where any airborne particles would have
settled, the broth rapidly became cloudy with life.
Pasteur had both refuted the theory of spontaneous
generation and convincingly demonstrated that
microorganisms are everywhere, including the air we
breath.
9.
10. Darwin's Theory of Evolution - The Premise
Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the widely held notion
that all life is related and has descended from a
common ancestor. Darwin's general theory presumes
the development of life from non-life and stresses a
purely naturalistic (undirected) "descent with
modification". That is, complex creatures evolve from
more simplistic ancestors naturally over time. In a
nutshell, as random genetic mutations occur within an
organism's genetic code, the beneficial mutations are
preserved because they aid survival -- a process
known as "natural selection.
11.
12. Has displayed an ongoing biodiversity
reduction and an accompanying loss
of genetic diversity. Named the Holocene
extinction, the reduction is caused primarily
by human
impacts, particularly habitat destruction.
Conversely, biodiversity impacts human
health in a number of ways, both positively
and negatively.
13. Purchase goods and services from companies that are environmentally
responsible. Purchase goods from responsible companies in your local area; this
cuts down on the pollution generated in long-distance transportation.
Plant a garden of native plants around your home or at your school. In this way
you can help to preserve plant species as well as create habitat for wildlife.
Plant heirloom crops in your garden, and practice seed saving.
* Remove invasive species from your property.
Use natural gardening techniques as alternatives to pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers
Maintain valuable wildlife habitat on your property, such as large trees, wetlands
and natural shoreline.
Consider donating part of your land to a preservation agency, or placing a
conservation covenant on your land to protect valuable natural areas from future
development.
Reduce automobile pollution (one of the largest sources of pollution and damage
to species and ecosystems) by driving less, carpooling, cycling, keeping your car
properly tuned and maintained and switching to a more efficient vehicle.
