Chapter 14 Taxonomy and Biodiversity

What is Taxonomy?
Taxonomy is science of naming, describing and classifying organisms based on the comparative studies from
morphology, physiology, anatomy, cytology, genetics, paleontology and etc.

Purpose and importance of taxonomy

[Link] allows taxonomists to store and provide information of an organism systematically because materials and the
information are filled and catalogued.

2. Scientific name of organisms enables the communication and exchange of data and information to be carried out effectively within the
scientific community.

3. Nomenclature allows taxonomist to give scientific names to organisms scattered all over the world.

4. Natural classification system provides information on the evolutionary relationship between organisms.

5. Taxonomy provides evidence to support organic evolution as taxonomists can discover the natural relationship among organisms in
different categories in the Linnaeus hierarchy.

6. Taxonomy allows biologists to continuously discover unknown species and to update information on biodiversity and evolution.

7. Taxonomy enables ecologists to discover ecological relationship between organisms and the environment

Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom – the largest and most inclusive rank

Phylum – a group of organisms constructed on a similar

plan and though to be evolutionarily relate (“Phylum” is
equivalent to the botanical term division)
At each level
Class – a group of related orders of the
hierarchy,
from kingdom
Order – a group of apparently related families
to species, the
number of
Family – a group of apparently related genera
similarities
increases.
Genus – a group of similar and closely related species

Species – a group of organisms that have similar morphological and

physiological characteristics and can reproduce with each other to
produce healthy and fertile offspring.
Biological Nomenclature
Common name
Naming of organisms and the taxa to which they Elephant
belong, by Carolus Linnaeus.

Each type of organism is given a two-part Latin

name:
- first word is generic name, begins with an
upper case l etter.
- second word is the species name, begins
Scientific name
with a lower case letter. Loxodonta africana

The scientific name is printed in italics or

underlined when handwritten.

Examples of scientific names: Drosophila

melanogaster(fruit fly); Homo sapiens (Human)

Kingdom Protoctista
The simplest of the eukaryotes.
Contain membrane bound nucleus and organelles such as ribosomes, mitochondria and lysosomes.
Can be unicellular or multicellular (organized into colonies)
Reproduce sexually and asexually.
Require an aquatic environment.
Protoctists are a diverse group: fungus-like, plant-like and animal-like forms.
 Characteristics of Algae
The body of an alga is a photosynthetic thallus (a vegetative body which not differentiated into
stem, leaves or root)
Algae found mostly in aquatic environments.
Cells are surrounded by cell walls and cytoplasm contains one or more large vacuole.
Possess photosynthetic pigments in organelles.

Phylum Chlorophyta
Characteristic:
Spirogyra is a filamentous, non-motile green alga.
Its cells form long, thin strands that, in vast numbers, contribute to the familiar
green, slimy ‘blanket weed’ in ponds. Under the microscope, each filament consists
of an extensive chain of identical cells.

Each cell contains a helical chloroplast, a nucleus, cytoplasm and a vacuole

enclosed in a cellulose cell wall.
 summary table for
Phylum Chlorophyta
Unicellular /
Unicellular
multicellular

Photosynthesis Yes

Pigment Chlorophyll a and b

Reproduction Binary fission (asexual)

Motility Yes for chlamydomonas and no for spirogyra

Food storage Starch (store food in the form of starch)

Cell wall Cellulose

- pyrenoid = for synthesis of starch

- cup-shaped chloroplast
Special features - having stigma to detect light intensity
- have contractile vacuole - spirogyra
– have spiral-shaped chloropast

Examples Chlamydomonas (a unicellular motile green algae, with 2 flagella) Spirogyra

Characteristic of Protozoa
Unicellular eukaryotic organisms.
No tissue organisation. vacuole Cytoplasmic strand cytoplasm Spiral chloroplast
Locomotion: pseudopodia, cilia or flagella.
Autotrophic or heterotreophic nutrition.
Phylum Zoomastigina
Characteristic:
Some are autotrophic (have chlorophyll a and b); some are heterotrophic (lack
chloroplast).
Have one or two flagella.
Only asexual reproduction by binary fission.
No cell wall; has a thin, tough, elastic pellicle composed of proteins that protects
and maintains its shape

summary table for

Phylum Zoomastigina
Unicellular /
Unicellular
multicellular

Photosynthesis Yes

Pigment Chlorophyll a and b

Reproduction Binary fission (asexual)

Motility Yes

Food storage Starch (store food in the form of starch)

Cell wall No

- Pyrenoid – synthesis starch

Special features
- Having pellicle – to provide fix shape to organism

Examples Euglena
Kingdom Fungi
Multicellular eukaryotes.
Lack chlorophyll, non-photosynthetic; they are heterotrophic – either parasites, saprotrophs, or mutualist.
Non-motile, cilia and flagella absent.
Carbohydrate storage: glycogen, not starch.
Spores are produced sexually and asexually.
The basic structural features of fungi are called hyphae.

Unicellular / multicellular Multicellular

Photosynthesis No (heterotroph – cannot make food by themselves)

Pigment -

Reproduction Sporulation

Motility No

Food storage Glycogen

Cell wall Chitin

- Hyphae = basic unit of fungal (singular)

Special features - multinuclei
- sporangium = contain spores for sexual reproduction

- Mucor
Examples
- Rhizopus (both are phylum Zygomycota)

Hyphae – microscopic branching threads.

Each thread consists of a tube formed
from a wall enclosing cytoplasm and a
vacuole. Sometimes the hyphae are
divided into compartments by cross walls
called septa

Coneolytic hyphae: the hyphae which not

divided by cross-walls. Found in Mucor and
Rhizopus.
Septate hyphae: have cross-walls in their
hyphae. Example: Neurospora
 Phylum Zygomycota
Characteristic:
Mucor is commonly found in damp soil or on the dung of herbivorous animal.
Rhizopus is frequently found growing on bread.
Both are saprotrophs. Hydrolytic enzymes such as amylase and protease are
secreted from the growing tip of the hypha onto the external food source.
The digested products are absorbed, transported to other parts of the mycelium
and are assimilated.

Mucor Rhizopus

Kingdom Plantae
Multicellular eukaryotes, contains chloroplasts, autotrophic, derive energy by photosynthesis.
Cell walls made of cellulose; food storage: starch.
Advanced plants (e.g. angiosperms & conifers) – have proper stems, leaves and roots; reproduce
sexually by the production of seeds.
Primitive forms of plant (e.g. liverworts) – have thalli and reproduce by production of spores.
All plant life cycle involve alternation of generation
Cont...
Alternation of Generations:

2 types of organisms, a haploid gametophyte generation and a diploid sporophyte generation,

alternate in the life cycle.
The haploid generation is called gametophyte because it produces gametes. Production of
gametes involves mitosis, so the gametes are also haploid (n).
The gametes fuse to form a diploid (2n) zygote which grows into the next generation, the diploid
sporophyte generation.
Generalised life cycle of a plant showing alternation of generation. Note the haploid stages (n) and
diploid stage (2n). The gametophyte is always haploid and always produces gametes by mitosis.
The sporophyte is always diploid and always produces gametes by meiosis.
It is called the sporophyte because it produces spores. Production of spore involves meiosis, so
that there is a return to the haploid condition.
The haploid spores give rise to the gametophyte generation.
One of the 2 generations is always more conspicuous and occupies a greater proportion of the
life cycle; this is said to be the dominant generation.
Definition: Alternation of generations is the alternation between haploid gametophyte generation
that produces haploid gametes and the diploid sporophyte generation that produces diploid
spores
 Phylum Bryophyta
Characteristic:
Small, simple plants; live mainly in damp, shady places. o No vascular tissue.
The whole surface of plant, including the rhizoids can absorb water and mineral salts.
Exhibit alternation generation: gametophyte generation (haploid) is dominant.
Sporophyte (diploid) is attached to gametophyte and is dependent on the gametophyte for its
nutrition.

2 main classes under phylum Bryophyta:

1. Class Hepaticae: contains all the liverworts which have the flat, liver-like shape of the thallus.
Example: Marchantia.
2. Class Musci: contains gametophyte with erect simple stem and spirally arranged small leaves.
Example: Funaria

Thallus/true body Thallus (body parts cannot be differentiated to true leave, stem and root).

Vascular tissue? No

Habitat Aquatic environment

Flower/fruit present? No

Dominant generation Gametophyte generation dominant

The sporophyte is attached to and depend on gametophyte for nutrient and

Special features
survival.

- Marchantia
Examples
- Funaria
Phylum Filicinophyta / Pteridophyta
Characteristic:
All the ferns are classified under this phylum.
Ferns are terrestrial and common in temperate woodlands and tropical rainforests. They can be
found on the branches of tress, riverbanks and even desert
Show alternation of generations: sporophyte (2n) generation is dominant.
Gametophyte generation is reduced to a small, simple, independent and photosynthetic
prothallus. Compare to bryophyte, filicinophyte is more advance because of those characteristics.
The dominant in sporophyte generation enables ferns to withstands the dryness.

True body (the body parts can be differentiated to true leaves, stems and
Thallus/true body
roots)

Yes but incomplete; only has tracheids and sieve tube (reason why
Vascular tissue?
Filicinophyta is more advance than Bryophyta)

Habitat Terrestrial

Flower/fruit present? No

Dominant generation Sporophyte generation (can withstand dryness)

-Gametophyte generation is reduced to prothallus

Special features - Sporangia are arranged in cluster called sorus

Examples Dryopteris
Phylum Coniferophyta
Characteristic:
Naked seeds, not enclosed in an ovary.
and fruits are not produced.
No xylem vessels, only tracheids are present.
Albuminous cells instead of companion cells are found in phloem tissue.
Show alternation of generations
The plant is heterosporous: produce 2 types of spores: megaspores and microspores.
Siphonogamy.

Thallus/true body True body

Yes but incomplete; only has tracheids (xylem) and sieve tube and
Vascular tissue?
albuminous cell (phloem)

Habitat Terrestrial

Flower/fruit present? No

Dominant generation Sporophyte generation

- Siphonogamy: fertilization of male and female gametes occurs through

pollen tube
- Cone as reproductive organ
- Nacked seed: the seed is not enclosed by fruit / Nacked ovule: the ovule is
Special features
not enclosed by ovary (not fertilise)
- Needle-like leaves to reduce water loss
- Heterosporous
- The gametophyte generation is greatly reduced to microscope

Examples Pinus
Phylum Angiospermophyta
Characteristic:
Angiosperms = flowering plants.
Sporophyte generation is dominant.
Heterosporous
Angiosperms are divided into 2 classes:
1. Monocotyledonae 2. Dicotyledonae
Siphonogamy: male gamete is non-motile and it reaches the female gamete through formation of
pollen tube.

Thallus/true body True body

Complete xylem: tracheid and xylem vessel

Vascular tissue?
Complete phloem: sieve tube and companion cell

Habitat Terrestrial

Flower/fruit present? Yes

Dominant generation Sporophyte generation

- Flower as reproductive organ

- Seed is enclosed by fruit / ovule is enclosed by ovary
- Double fertilization
Special features
- Heterosporous
- Siphonogamy
- Seed contains cotyledons, either monocotyledon or dicotytledon.

Zea mays (monocot)

Examples
Helianthus anuus (dicot)
Difference between monocotyledonae
and Dicotyledonae

Monocotyledonae Dicotyledonae

Embryo with single cotyledon. Embryo with 2 cotyledons.

Pollen with single furrow or pore Pollen with 3 furrows or pores.

Flower parts in multiples of three. Flower parts in multiples of 4 or 5.

Major leaf veins parallel. Major leaf veins reticulated.

Stem vascular bundles scattered. Stem vascular bundles in a ring

Roots are adventitious Roots develop from radicle

Secondary growth absent. (no cambium) Secondary growth often present. (cambium present)

Example: Zea mays Example: Helianthus anuus

Diffenrences between Coniferophyta

and Angiospermophyta

Characteristics Coniferophyta Angiospermophyta

Contains trecheids; no xylem Contains tracheids and xylem

Xylem tissues
vessels. vessels.

Albuminous cells instead of

Phloem tissues Companion cells
companion cells.

Ovule – exposed on ovuliferous Ovule – contained in true

Ovule/seed scales arranged in cones. ovary.
Seed – naked/exposed. Seed- enclosed in true ovary.

Reproduction structure Strobilus/cone Flower

 Kingdom Animlia
Characteristic:
Multicellular organisms, eukaryotic cells, no cell walls, non-photosynthetic, heterotrophic.
All have nervous coordination and a muscle system – can respond to environmental stimuli.
Most reproduce sexually.

Radial symmetry – body can be divided into roughly equal halves by more than one straight line or
plane which passes through the central point of the body.
Bilateral symmetry – only a single line or plane can divide the body into equal halves.

Diploblastic: an animal possessing 2 major tissue layers. These include the outer layer (the
ectoderm) and the inner layer (the endoderm).
Triploblastic: an animal possessing 3 major tissue layers. It has a middle layer (the mesoderm),
between the endoderm and the ectoderm.
Coelom: fluid-filled cavity within the mesoderm. It is not the gut. Having a coelom gives the animal
certain advantages: a. It enables independent movement of the gut wall and the body wall. b. It
provides space of the enlargement and development of internal organs. c. It may acts as a
circulatory medium for transport of materials or a storage area of excess or waste materials.
Coelomate: animals with a body cavity lying between the digestive tract and body wall that is
completely lined with mesoderm (true body cavity).
Acoelomate: animals without a body cavity.
Pseudocoelomate: animals with a body cavity lying between the digestive tract and body wall
that is incompletely lined with mesoderm. (false body cavity)
Deuterostomes: group of coelomate animals which the blastopore is associated with the anus, a
second opening is associated with the mouth.
Protostomes: group of coelomate animals in which the blastopore is associated with the mouth.
Gastrulation in protostome and deuterostome embryos. In protostomes, the initial site of ingrowth
or invagination (blastopore) becomes the mouth. In deuterostomes, the initial site of ingrowth or
invagination (blastopore) becomes the anus.
Phylum Porifera
Example: sponges
Hollow tube with a large opening at the top called osculum. There are numerous pore cells (called
porocytes) in the body wall. Water enters the body of the sponge through the pores (ostia).
Body wall consists of two layers of cells. Outer surface is covered by epithelial cells; inner layer
consists mainly collar cells or choanocytes, each of which possess single flagellum.
Permenantly attached to rocks or the sea bed, obtain food by extracting plankton from water.

Characteristics:
All sponges are marine.
Sessile, multicellular animals, body lacks symmetry.
No specialised tissues or organs; contracted from just few main types of cell.
Diploblastic.
Lack nervous system.
Asexual reproduction: budding or regeneration.
Sexual reproduction: fertilisation between male and female gametes.
Lack of body symmetry
Phylum Cnidari/Coelentrata
Example: Obelia and Hydra

Obelia:
Tentacles – having stinging cells called cnidocytes which secrete a stinging capsule called
nematocyst.
Medusa – active, free-living form. It is used as a mean of dispersal.
Mouth – opening for ingestion and egestion. No anus. Food is taken through mouth into the single
gastrovascular cavity (enteron).
Polyp – cylindrical and sessile form; attached to a firm substrate.

Phylum Cnidaria takes its name from the presence of unique stinging cells called cnidocytes. The
phylum includes such animals as plant like hydroids, colourful sea anemone, graceful jellyfish and
the reef forming corals.

Characteristics：
Nearly all marine. Tentacles Obelia:
Tentacles – having stinging cells called cnidocytes which secrete a stinging capsule called
nematocyst.
Medusa – active, free-living form. It is used as a mean of dispersal.
Mouth – opening for ingestion and egestion. No anus. Food is taken through mouth into the single
gastrovascular cavity (enteron).
Polyp – cylindrical and sessile form; attached to a firm substrate.
Diploblastic: 2 layers of cells ectoderm and endoderm; with a jellylike mesoglea between them.
Radial symmetry.
Have 2 basic body forms (called dimorphic). Polyp and Medusa. Hydra occur only as polyps; some
alternate between 2 forms.
Reproduction: asexual (budding) and sexual.
Nervous system present in forms of irregular nerve net.
Phylum Platyhelminthes
Example: Taenia, Planaria

Characteristics:
All are flatworms.
Triploblastic acoelomate.
Bilateral symmetry.
Unsegmented and flattened dorso-ventrally from top to bottom.
Single gastrovascular cavity, only one opening – the mouth, no anus.
Gut is branched and extends throughout the body.
Hermaphrodite: each individual contains both male and female sexual structures; internal
fertilisation.
Phylum Arthropoda
Example 1: Periplaneta (class insecta)
Characteristics:
3 pairs of jointed appendages
Metamerically segemented body.

Example 2: Penaeus (class crustacea)

Characteristics:
Triploblastic coelomates.
Metamerically segmented.
Bodies have distinct regions: head, thorax, abdomen.
Presence of jointed appendages, used for sensory, feeding or locomotion purposes.
All arthropods have exoskeleton that contains chitin.
Have compound eyes or simple eyes or both.
Have tubular gut that extends from mouth to anus.
Some arthropods have antenna.
Gaseous exchange: gills, tracheal tubes or lungs.
Open circulatory system: blood flows between internal organs and not through closed vessels.
Nervous system formed from the cerebral ganglia which connected to the ventral nerve cord.
Open circulatory system – blood components are delivered in spaces between cells, not in a
closed vessel.
Phylum Mollusca
Example: Helix
Characteristics:
Triploblastic coelomate.
Body soft with bilateral symmetry; no segementation.
Body is divided into: head, ventral muscular foot, a dorsal visceral hump.
Shell contains CaCO3 (calcerous skull) secreted by mantle.
Open circulatory system, respiratory pigment is haemocyanin.
Radula: used to scrape food.
Hermaphrodites or dioecious.
Examples: snails, slugs, octopuses, mussels.

Phylum Chordata
Characteristics:
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic coelomates.
Notochord present at some age of their life cycle. Notochord is a flexible rod of tightly packed,
vacuolated cells held together within a firm sheath. It is located just below the nerve cord. The
notochord runs along the back in the embryo of all chordates. It persists in primitive chordates but
in most vertebrates it is replaced by the vertebral column (backbone).
Chordates have a dorsal, hollow nerve cords.
Pharyngeal clefts – present in all chordates embryo. They retained in primitive chordates, become
gills in fish but are reduced or lost in some adult chordates.
Have post-anal tail at some stage of their life cycle. May be reduced or lost in some adult
chordates.
The muscle are arranged in segmented blocks (myotomes) on either side of the body. This allows
rapid, versatile movement.
Closed blood system.
 Biodiversity in Malaysia
Biodiversity: the total number of different species within an ecosystem and the complexity of the
interactions among them.

Biodiversity usually is defined at 3 levels: species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem
diversity.

It refers not only to species richness (number of different species) but also to
species abundance (number of individuals in each species). It is a measure of
Species diversity
the distribution of each species, its producticity and the population size. It gives
us an idea of the relative importance of each species in the community.

The genetic variety within a species. It considers the total number of different
Genetic diversity
alleles or genes within a species.

Ecosystem diversity It refers to the variety of interaction within and among ecosystems.

Ecosystem with high biodiversity are more productive, more stable and able to withstand disturbances
compared to ecosystems with reduced biodiversity.

Many species in Malaysia forests are endemic. (they are not found anywhere else in the world) Endemic
species are highly susceptible to habitat loss caused mainly by human activities.

The different types of ecosystem found in Malaysia are:

[Link] forests
Contain dipterocarp species of trees which are densely distributed. Often over one hundred species of
trees are found in just one hectare. Meranti and keruing are common dipterocarp tree species found
here.
[Link] forests
The lower montane forest has unique tree ferns, oak, conifers, rattans and dwarf palms. There are also
several species of flowering plants.
The upper montane is usually under these dense could cover or mist. Even though the foliage is sparse
compared to lowland areas, there is mosses. Mount Kinabalu is home to the greatest concentration of
wild orchid in the world.
There is also great variety of butterflies and moths. c.
[Link] forests
These coastal ecosystem have practically no undergrowth except for young trees of the same species
growing there.
Many of tree species are endemic and show distinctive adaptations especially in root morphology.
The mangroves are a breeding ground for many species of fish and shrimp.
Other notable species found here are the saltwater crocodile, the Irrawaddy dolphin and the false
gharial.
[Link] swamp forests
There are found on the coastal areas of Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia. There is relatively little
decomposition.
The ecoregion is considered to represent the richest freshwater fauna in Asia. e.
[Link]-Sulawesi Seas
The marine flora and fauna at Sulu-Sulawesi Seas are known to be very diverse, but poorly-documented.
Fish diversity is the highest in the world. Examples of exotic species are the giant bumphead parrot-fish,
the Napoleon wrasse, needle-fishes and barracudas. The area is also well-known for its turtles, dolphins
and giant manta rays.
Importance of Biodiversity in Malaysia
1. Food security
Malaysia harbours about 185,000 species of fauna and 12,500 species of flowering plants,
1,100 species of ferns – many of which could be developed into food sources in the future, or
utilised for biological control of pests that attack our crops.
Protection of wetlands ensures a continuous fishing industry.

2. Economic benefits
Timber and non-timber goods, food and industrial crops in the agricultural sector, food in the
fishes sector.
Biologically active compounds from indigenous plants and animals which can be starting
materials for drugs, potential for development of pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, and vaccines
through biotechnology
Floriculture – orchids and other exotic flowers.

3. Environmental stability
A reduction of biodiversity will threaten the balance within the many different ecosystems,
leading to a loss of ecological resilience which will adversely affect human lives.

4. National biological heritage

Many Malaysia’s species are endemic. In West Malaysia, 26% of tree species are endemic,
found only in a few localized valleys or mountaintops.
Malaysia’s coral reef community is also considered one of the most diverse in the world, but
both its fauna and flora are poorly documented.

5. Scientific, educational and educational values

Much of our biodiversity is in need of documentation. This will then pave the way for
opportunities in genetics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and fisheries to be fully
explored.
Protected areas also provide recreational ecotourism opportunities.
 Threats to Biodiversity
1. Habitat destruction
Huge tracts of forests are cleared for agriculture, housing, logging and industrial
development.
Deforestation may lead to flash floods, decrease in rainfall and increase in the concentration
of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Destruction of coral reefs and marine ecosystem by land reclamation works.
Deforestation and destruction of coral reefs and marine ecosystem causes habitat loss to
organisms.

2. Overexploitation
Fishing techniques such as fish bombing and the usage of trawling nets kills inedible fishes
and destroys the marine system.
Many organisms are overexploited by illegal hunting to obtain resources for industries such
as fashion industry, ornamental organisms, exotic food and traditional medicines.
Mangrove swamps are overexploited for wood and food such as fishes, crabs and prawns.

3. Introduction of new species

Foreign organisms may be introduced into a certain habitat for agricultural or aesthetic
reasons.
Foreign organisms also could be introduced unintentionally into an ecosystem by human.
A newly introduced organism may displace or competitively exclude the native species from
the habitat.

4. Pollution
Pollution is caused by human activities.
Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and thermal pollution cause destruction to the
ecosystem.
Rivers and beaches are polluted by agricultural and industrial wastes.
Acid rain cause soil and water bodies to become acidic, therefore becoming unsuitable to
organisms.
Depletion of the ozone layer causes the destruction of chlorophyll and the death of some
organisms. Thus, food chains are affected.
Greenhouse effect or global warming increases the temperature of the Earth
causing climate change and destruction to organisms.
Steps and efforts taken to address
the threats
Restricting urban and industrial development.

Reclaiming of abandoned industrial/mining/building sites.

Implementing recycling programmes.

Legislating the protection of endangered and keystone species, and enforcement of the law.

Carrying out breeding programmes and establishing sperm/seed banks to maintain high

biodiversity.

Establishing conservation areas such as national parks, nature reserves, sactuaries, zoos and

botanical gardens (in situ and ex situ conservations)

Effective pollution control methods, especially when wildlife species are vulnerable to

pollutants.

Implementing sustainable development programmes to conserve and preserve the

environment and biodiversity.

Education on the importance of preserving and conserving biological diversity should be

emphasised.

Campaigns should be organised to create public awareness about the conservation of the

biodiversity.

The use of eco-friendly materials such as biofuel should be encouraged.

 Conservation of Biodiversity

In Situ Conservation

Parks and reserves are established to protect and preserve threatened or endangered

species in as natural an environment as possible.

National parks, such as Taman Negara, are not only sanctuaries for hundreds of vulnerable

species, but can also serve a recreational purpose.

The disadvantage of this approach is that it is expensive in terms of time and money needed

to set up such parks and reserves.

Only about 3% of the world’s land surface has been designated or protected as national parks

or reserves.

Ex Situ Conservation

This refers to the conservation and protection of biodiversity in controlled environments, for

examples, in zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and gene bank.

Techniques used in this approach include captive breeding of threatened or endangered

organisms and the consequent reintroduction of these organisms into the wild.

Artificial insemination and host mothering are used to increase the number of offspring in

zoos and botanical gardens.

Host mothering involves treating females of rare species with fertility drugs, collecting the

eggs and getting them inseminated, and finally implanting them in genetically-related but

more hardly species. These surrogate mother used ex situ to increase the numbers of

threatened species is cloning.

Zoox and botanical gardens educate the public about the value of conservation, even though

they generally house the more exotic species only. Inconspicuous species are often

overlooked.
Exercise
1. Helianthus and Zea are different from Pinus and Dryopteris because they have
A. Seeds
B. Flowers
C. Vascular systems
D. Dominant sporophytic phases

2. In a given phylum, which taxon contains the most number of species?

A. Class
B. Family
C. Order
D. Genus

3. Which of the following is an example of ex situ conservation?

A. The Gene Bank
B. The National Park
C. The Kinabalu Park
D. The Endau-Rompin State Park

4. Which is a reason for putting Mucor into Kingdom Fungi instead of Plantae?
A. It is a heterotroph
B. It reproduces by sporulation
C. It does not produce flowers, fruits and seeds
D. It consists of mycelium

5. Which advance characteristics are found in both angiosperms and filicinophytes?

A. Alternation of generation
B. Syphinogamous fertilization
C. Vascular tissues
D. Fibrous roots

6. Which is used to classify Angiospermophyta into class monocotyledonae and class

dicotyledonae?
I. Roots
II. Stems
III. Leaves
IV. Flowers
A. I, II
B. III, IV
C. II, III, IV
D. I, II, III, IV
7. Which phylum is not a group of green plants that have the vascular systems, leaves with
cuticle and unclear gametophytes?
A. Bryophyte
B. Filicinophyta
C. Coniferophyta
D. Angiospermophyta

8. Which feature is spider distinguished from housefly?

A. Triploblastic coelomate
B. Perivisceral cavity is haemocoel
C. Open circulatory system with a dorsal heart
D. The fourth to seventh segments have a pair of appendages each

9. Which of the following statement is true about Protoctista?

A All Protoctista contain chlorophyll.
B Some Protoctista are eukaryotes.
C Protoctista live in dry surroudings.
D Protoctista can be one-celled and many-celled organism

10 Which of the following is in situ conservation?

I National Park
II Zoos
III Sanctuaries
IV Botanical garden
A I only
B I and III
C I, III and IV
D II, III and IV

11. Which of the following statements are related to ex situ conservation?

I Preservation of the quality of environment

II Implementation of laws like Protection of Wildlife Act 1972
III Artificial insemination of rare species
IV Expansion of gene banks

AI and II B I and IV C II and III D III and IV

Answer
1. B
2. A
3. A
4. D
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. D
9. D
10. A
11. D