🌿Biology for Non-STEM Majors Unit 12 – Diversity of Life

What's This Unit All About?

• Explores the incredible diversity of life on Earth and how it evolved over billions of years
• Introduces the major groups of organisms and their key characteristics
• Examines the role of evolution in shaping the diversity of life
  • Natural selection drives adaptation and speciation
  • Genetic variation provides raw material for evolutionary change
• Discusses the importance of ecosystems and the interactions between organisms and their environment
• Highlights fascinating adaptations that allow organisms to thrive in various habitats (deep sea, deserts, arctic tundra)
• Emphasizes the value of biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts
• Provides a foundation for understanding the interconnectedness of life on our planet

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Biodiversity: the variety of life at all levels, from genes to ecosystems
• Taxonomy: the science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms
  • Linnaean system uses binomial nomenclature (genus and species)
  • Phylogenetic systematics groups organisms based on evolutionary relationships
• Domains: the three main divisions of life (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya)
• Kingdoms: major groups within the domain Eukarya (Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia)
• Adaptation: a trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in a specific environment
• Speciation: the formation of new species through evolutionary processes
  • Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated
  • Sympatric speciation occurs without geographic isolation
• Ecosystem: a community of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment

The Tree of Life: Major Groups

• Bacteria: prokaryotic, unicellular organisms lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
  • Incredible metabolic diversity, including photosynthetic and chemosynthetic species
  • Essential roles in nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships
• Archaea: prokaryotic, unicellular organisms distinct from bacteria
  • Thrive in extreme environments (hot springs, salt lakes, hydrothermal vents)
  • Important in methane production and unique metabolic pathways
• Protista: eukaryotic, mostly unicellular organisms with diverse morphologies and lifestyles
  • Includes both heterotrophs (amoebae, ciliates) and autotrophs (algae)
  • Some species form colonies or exhibit multicellularity (slime molds, kelp)
• Fungi: eukaryotic, multicellular (or unicellular) organisms that absorb nutrients from their surroundings
  • Vital decomposers in ecosystems, breaking down dead organic matter
  • Symbiotic relationships with plants (mycorrhizae) and algae (lichens)
• Plantae: eukaryotic, multicellular autotrophs that obtain energy through photosynthesis
  • Adapted to life on land with roots, stems, and leaves
  • Provide oxygen, food, and habitat for countless species
• Animalia: eukaryotic, multicellular heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by ingesting other organisms
  • Incredible diversity of body plans, behaviors, and life histories
  • Play crucial roles in ecosystems as consumers and predators

Evolution and Diversity

• Evolution is the change in heritable characteristics of populations over generations
• Natural selection is the primary driver of adaptive evolution
  • Individuals with advantageous traits have higher survival and reproductive success
  • Over time, favorable traits become more common in the population
• Genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation also contribute to evolutionary change
• Convergent evolution: when unrelated species develop similar adaptations in response to similar environmental pressures (wings in birds and bats, fins in sharks and dolphins)
• Coevolution: when two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution (flowers and pollinators, predators and prey)
• Mass extinctions have shaped the diversity of life throughout Earth's history
  • Permian-Triassic extinction (~252 million years ago) wiped out ~96% of marine species
  • Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction (~66 million years ago) led to the demise of non-avian dinosaurs

Ecosystems and Biodiversity

• Ecosystems are complex networks of interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components
• Biodiversity enhances ecosystem stability, productivity, and resilience
  • Greater diversity of species and genetic variation buffers against environmental changes
  • Diverse ecosystems provide crucial services (carbon sequestration, water filtration, nutrient cycling)
• Trophic levels describe the position of organisms in a food chain or web
  • Primary producers (autotrophs) form the base, followed by primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers
  • Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem
• Keystone species have disproportionately large effects on ecosystem structure and function (sea otters, wolves, beavers)
• Habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, and climate change are major threats to biodiversity

Cool Organisms and Adaptations

• Tardigrades (water bears): microscopic animals that can survive extreme conditions, including the vacuum of space
• Axolotls: aquatic salamanders with remarkable regenerative abilities, capable of regrowing lost limbs and organs
• Bombardier beetles: produce a hot, toxic spray from their abdomen to deter predators
• Mimic octopuses: masters of disguise, able to imitate the appearance and behavior of various marine animals
• Venus flytraps: carnivorous plants that capture insects with specialized leaf traps
• Hummingbirds: the only birds that can hover and fly backwards, thanks to their unique wing structure and flight muscles
• Naked mole rats: eusocial mammals that live in underground colonies, with a queen and workers similar to bees or ants
• Mantis shrimp: possess incredibly complex eyes with 12-16 photoreceptor types (compared to 3 in humans) and powerful, fast-striking claws

Why Does This Matter?

• Understanding the diversity of life helps us appreciate the complexity and beauty of the natural world
• Biodiversity is essential for the functioning and stability of ecosystems, which provide vital services for human well-being
  • Pollination, pest control, soil fertility, and climate regulation are just a few examples
  • Many medicines, materials, and foods are derived from diverse species
• Studying evolution and adaptations can inspire technological innovations and problem-solving strategies (biomimicry)
• Recognizing the threats to biodiversity underscores the importance of conservation efforts and sustainable practices
• Exploring the diversity of life fosters a sense of curiosity, wonder, and stewardship for the world around us

Study Tips and Tricks

• Create a concept map or flowchart to visualize the relationships between major groups of organisms and evolutionary processes
• Use mnemonic devices to remember key characteristics of each domain and kingdom (e.g., "King Philip Came Over For Good Soup" for Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)
• Practice applying the concepts of evolution and adaptation to real-world examples or case studies
• Engage in active learning by discussing the material with classmates, teaching others, or writing summaries in your own words
• Develop a regular study schedule and break the material into manageable chunks to avoid last-minute cramming
• Utilize online resources, such as educational videos, interactive quizzes, and simulations, to reinforce your understanding
• Relate the content to your own experiences or interests to make it more meaningful and memorable
• Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek help from your instructor or tutors if you encounter difficulties or need clarification