BIODIVERSITY AND

CLASSIFICATION
TERM 3 TOPIC 3
BIODIVERSITY: The variety of life on
Earth
◦ Biodiversity refers to the large variety of living organisms within the different ecosystems on Earth.
◦ Diversity can be described in three ways viz. species, genetic and ecosystem diversity.
1. Species diversity: variety of living organisms in a certain region. E.g. humans, dogs
2. Genetic diversity: differences within a species. Different genes in the same species. Human diversity.
3. Ecosystem diversity: number of different ecosystems in an area. E.g. rivers, school grounds, wetlands,
forests, deserts. Different number of species in each ecosystem.

Keystone species are those that play a huge role on how an ecosystem works. When keystone species
disappear from its habitat, it triggers loss of other species. They maintain diversity.
CLASSIFICATION
◦ The sorting or grouping of organisms is called taxonomy or classification.
◦ The way scientists group or classify organisms continues to change as new information becomes
available.
◦ Biologists group organisms based on similar or shared characteristics.
◦ Living organisms have common names, which we use most of the time. However, different places, the
same species may have different common names. Hence, to avoid confusion, scientists use scientific
names.
◦ Scientific names are also used to show relationships between species. E.g. Homo habilis, Homo erectus
and Homo sapiens
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES
PROKARYOTES
Are organisms that do not have a true nucleus. Meaning, their genetic material is not covered by a nuclear
membrane. They do not have cell organelles. E.g. monera

EUKARYOTES
Are organisms that have a true nucleus. Meaning, their genetic material is surrounded by a nuclear
membrane. They have a nucleolus and other cell organelles. E.g. protista, fungi, plantea and animalia
The End 