Conservation of
biodiversity
(AQA A Level
Environmental
Science)
questions and
answers
What are the resources that can be collected from
plants and animals?
Wood - buildings, tools, furniture.
Fibres - cotton, wool, paper, silk, rayon.
Oils - vegetable and animal oils in foods, lubricants
and soaps.
,Fuels - wood, charcoal, alcohol, vegetable oils.
Food - plants, animals, algae, fungi.
Give some examples of species that have potential
for commercial cultivation.
- The Potato Bean of North America, high protein
content.
- The Morama Bean, high protein content, drought
resistant.
- Species in the spinach family can grow in soils
with high salt content, may be used in crop
breeding programmes.
Give some examples of animals with potential for
commercial cultivation.
American Bison, Common Eland, Common Ostrich,
Cane Rats, Emu, Giant Land Snails. They are often
better adapted to the local conditions than
traditional livestock species.
What is biomimetics?
The use of knowledge of the adaptations of other
species to improve the design of manufactured
items.
How has biomimetics influenced vehicle design?
- The splayed wingtip feathers of soaring birds are
copied on aircraft wing designs to reduce wind
turbulence and drag, and increase fuel efficiency.
,- The tubercles on flippers of humpback whales has
been applied to the design of ship rudders and
aerogenerator blades, allowing ships to turn in
tighter circles and blades to rotate at lower
windspeeds.
- Ridges created by shark scales copied in aircraft
and ship surfaces to reduce fuel consumption.
How has biomimetics aided infection control?
Bacteria do not stick easily to shark skin. A coating
material that imitates shark skin is used in hospital
operating theatres to help control bacterial
infections.
How has biomimetics influenced architecture?
The design of a termite mound that creates a
natural solar driven ventilation system has been
copied in shopping complexes and office blocks to
reduce need for air conditioning. The lightweight
strong structure of ones has been copied in the
design of lightweight bridges and roofs.
How has adhesion influenced biomimetics?
- The toes of gecko lizards have pads that provide
strong adhesion. Attempts are being made to copy
this to provide adhesion without the need for glue.
- The seeds of some plants have burrs with hooks
that can stick to the fur of passing animals and aid
, seed dispersal. This was copied in the development
of Velcro.
What is an example of a natural material applied to
manufacture of synthetic materials?
The lightweight, flexible, strong silk of spide3rs is
being copied to produce better car airbags and
body armour.
How do plants protect themselves from herbivores?
Some use thorns, spikes and bad tastes, but others
produce chemicals that are toxic to the animals
that may eat them, many of these chemicals are
alkaloids.
Why may chemical plant defences be beneficial to
humans?
In carefully controlled amounts, they can have
beneficial medical effects in humans.
Give some examples of plant products used in
medicines?
- Poppies are cultivated to produce the painkillers,
morphine and codeine.
- The cinchona tree was used to produce quinine
for malaria protection.
- Aspirin was extracted from the bark of willow
trees.
biodiversity
(AQA A Level
Environmental
Science)
questions and
answers
What are the resources that can be collected from
plants and animals?
Wood - buildings, tools, furniture.
Fibres - cotton, wool, paper, silk, rayon.
Oils - vegetable and animal oils in foods, lubricants
and soaps.
,Fuels - wood, charcoal, alcohol, vegetable oils.
Food - plants, animals, algae, fungi.
Give some examples of species that have potential
for commercial cultivation.
- The Potato Bean of North America, high protein
content.
- The Morama Bean, high protein content, drought
resistant.
- Species in the spinach family can grow in soils
with high salt content, may be used in crop
breeding programmes.
Give some examples of animals with potential for
commercial cultivation.
American Bison, Common Eland, Common Ostrich,
Cane Rats, Emu, Giant Land Snails. They are often
better adapted to the local conditions than
traditional livestock species.
What is biomimetics?
The use of knowledge of the adaptations of other
species to improve the design of manufactured
items.
How has biomimetics influenced vehicle design?
- The splayed wingtip feathers of soaring birds are
copied on aircraft wing designs to reduce wind
turbulence and drag, and increase fuel efficiency.
,- The tubercles on flippers of humpback whales has
been applied to the design of ship rudders and
aerogenerator blades, allowing ships to turn in
tighter circles and blades to rotate at lower
windspeeds.
- Ridges created by shark scales copied in aircraft
and ship surfaces to reduce fuel consumption.
How has biomimetics aided infection control?
Bacteria do not stick easily to shark skin. A coating
material that imitates shark skin is used in hospital
operating theatres to help control bacterial
infections.
How has biomimetics influenced architecture?
The design of a termite mound that creates a
natural solar driven ventilation system has been
copied in shopping complexes and office blocks to
reduce need for air conditioning. The lightweight
strong structure of ones has been copied in the
design of lightweight bridges and roofs.
How has adhesion influenced biomimetics?
- The toes of gecko lizards have pads that provide
strong adhesion. Attempts are being made to copy
this to provide adhesion without the need for glue.
- The seeds of some plants have burrs with hooks
that can stick to the fur of passing animals and aid
, seed dispersal. This was copied in the development
of Velcro.
What is an example of a natural material applied to
manufacture of synthetic materials?
The lightweight, flexible, strong silk of spide3rs is
being copied to produce better car airbags and
body armour.
How do plants protect themselves from herbivores?
Some use thorns, spikes and bad tastes, but others
produce chemicals that are toxic to the animals
that may eat them, many of these chemicals are
alkaloids.
Why may chemical plant defences be beneficial to
humans?
In carefully controlled amounts, they can have
beneficial medical effects in humans.
Give some examples of plant products used in
medicines?
- Poppies are cultivated to produce the painkillers,
morphine and codeine.
- The cinchona tree was used to produce quinine
for malaria protection.
- Aspirin was extracted from the bark of willow
trees.
