BIOA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Chlorophyll, Decomposer, Adaptive Radiation

• School: UTSC
• Department: Biological Sciences
• Course: BIOA01H3
• Professor: Steve Joordens

Document Summary

Chapter 3- selection, biodiversity and biosphere sept 10/2011. Biodiversity reflects the fact that life forms exist everywhere, from the depths of the ocean to the heights of the atmosphere. Study of biology focuses on the many different levels of life, from molecules to organelles, cells organisms, ecosystem and the biosphere. Many ways to answer this question, depending on what type of organism in question. Considers the number of organisms in each kingdom. An overview of life can be determined by groups of organisms: Insects, fungi, protozoa, algae, bacteria, viruses, higher plants, other animals. When organisms are grouped by factors other than their taxonomic categories, diversity of life is looked at according to different factors. Reasons is due to the fact that carbon is the backbone of all organic molecules synthesized by an organism. Most plants are autotrophs (self nourishing), which synthesize organic carbon molecules using inorganic carbon (co2)