Unit A: Biodiversity

 Learning Targets

Pre-assessment: What do you know?


Figure A.P.1 – Seed formation in flowering plants adds to biological diversity.

Figure A.P.2 – Alberta is home to many different plant and animal species.

Earth contains a great diversity of living things. Millions of different species live in different places around the world. Diversity is not only found between different species. Members within a single species can also have great differences. Unless you are an identical twin, do you look exactly the same as anyone else on Earth?

Biological diversity is maintained when organisms survive. All organisms interact with and depend other species in the environment, for survival.

Figure A.P.3 – Dogs show great diversity within the same species.

Living things must also reproduce in order to survive. Different organisms reproduce in different ways. Humans have developed technologies that affect reproduction, particularly in organisms that we eat as food. These technologies cause organisms to produce offspring with characteristics that humans want.

Human activity can affect biological diversity negatively. For example, massive herds of bison roamed Alberta 150 years ago. European settlers in Alberta overhunted bison, which made the species nearly go extinct.

What types of biological diversity do you see in your community? How can you help protect biological diversity?
 
To learn more about how we can protect biological diversity, we must first understand relationships between living things and how species reproduce.


Figure A.P.4 – Children inherit characteristics from their biological parents.

Figure A.P.5 – Human actions can cause species to go extinct.

Pre-assessment Questions & Hints

Step 1: The Questions


This short pre-assessment is to find out what you might already know about the topic of biological diversity. Below are four questions. Think about them! If you need a hint, click on the question.

Optional: If you would like a place to write your answers, download this document. If you prefer to use a Google Drive or PDF version of this pre-assessment, click here.

Step 2: The Answers

 Click each of the suggested answers below – how do they compare to your thoughts and answers?

Differences between members of a species means that individual organisms have slightly different adaptations. If there is a change in the environment, such as a disease, the individuals with the best adaptations to the change will survive.
Species that need a mate for reproduction form the first cell of a new organism when sex cells from a male and female biological parent combine. Species that do not need a mate for reproduction reproduce copying their body cells. The combination of sex cells from two different parents produces more variation than making identical copies of cells.
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is responsible for diversity in living things. DNA looks like a twisted ladder.
Humans have developed many biotechnologies, including cloning, in-vitro fertilization, and artificial selection. For example, humans use artificial selection to breed dairy cattle together that have desired traits for producing milk.

Step 3: Check In With Your Teacher

The start of a new unit is a great time to touch base with your teacher! Here are just a few reasons to consider contacting your teacher:

  1. Perhaps you found this pre-assessment quiz very easy because you have studied this material before, such as at another school. If so, it's important to tell your teacher.

  2. It's very good for your teacher to know you are starting a new unit; it will give them a good idea of your progress. It doesn't have to be a long message, just a "I'm starting Unit A; just thought you might want to know!"

  3. Your teacher may have special tips and suggestions for the unit you are starting.

  4. Just to say hi – your teacher always enjoys hearing from you!

To contact your teacher, post in the Course Questions Forum, send your teacher an email, or call on the phone if you like. Whatever way you choose, it's always a good idea to get in touch with your teacher – make sure you do it frequently.