Grade 11 Biology Notes: Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including all the different species of
plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form.
• It’s important because it keeps ecosystems stable, supports food chains, and provides
resources like medicine and food.
Levels of Biodiversity
1. Genetic Diversity: The variety of genes within a species. Example: Different breeds of
dogs.
2. Species Diversity: The variety of species in an ecosystem. Example: A rainforest has
birds, monkeys, insects, and trees.
3. Ecosystem Diversity: The variety of ecosystems in an area. Example: Forests, deserts,
oceans, and grasslands.
Classification of Living Things
• Scientists classify organisms to better understand their relationships and organize them
into groups.
• Taxonomy: The science of naming and classifying organisms.
o Categories (from broad to specific): Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order,
Family, Genus, Species.
o Mnemonic: "Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup."
The Three Domains of Life
1. Bacteria: Single-celled organisms without a nucleus. Example: E. coli.
2. Archaea: Single-celled organisms that live in extreme environments. Example:
Thermophiles.
3. Eukarya: Organisms with cells that have a nucleus. Example: Humans, plants, fungi.
The Six Kingdoms
1. Animalia: Multicellular, no cell walls, heterotrophs (eat other organisms). Example:
Lions.
2. Plantae: Multicellular, have cell walls, autotrophs (make their own food). Example:
Trees.
What is Biodiversity?
• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including all the different species of
plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form.
• It’s important because it keeps ecosystems stable, supports food chains, and provides
resources like medicine and food.
Levels of Biodiversity
1. Genetic Diversity: The variety of genes within a species. Example: Different breeds of
dogs.
2. Species Diversity: The variety of species in an ecosystem. Example: A rainforest has
birds, monkeys, insects, and trees.
3. Ecosystem Diversity: The variety of ecosystems in an area. Example: Forests, deserts,
oceans, and grasslands.
Classification of Living Things
• Scientists classify organisms to better understand their relationships and organize them
into groups.
• Taxonomy: The science of naming and classifying organisms.
o Categories (from broad to specific): Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order,
Family, Genus, Species.
o Mnemonic: "Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup."
The Three Domains of Life
1. Bacteria: Single-celled organisms without a nucleus. Example: E. coli.
2. Archaea: Single-celled organisms that live in extreme environments. Example:
Thermophiles.
3. Eukarya: Organisms with cells that have a nucleus. Example: Humans, plants, fungi.
The Six Kingdoms
1. Animalia: Multicellular, no cell walls, heterotrophs (eat other organisms). Example:
Lions.
2. Plantae: Multicellular, have cell walls, autotrophs (make their own food). Example:
Trees.
