Biodiversity

Percentage of endemic species in India

Method:

1. Find the total number of animal species in India (N).
2. Find the number of endemic species in India (E).
3. Calculate the percentage of endemic species: (E/N) x 100.

Example: If there are 81,256 animal species in India and 15,000 of them are endemic, the percentage of endemic species is (15,000/81,256) x 100 = 18.46%.

Estimate the number of invertebrate species in the world

Method:

1. Obtain the number of known invertebrate species (K) from a reliable source.
2. Use an estimation factor (F) provided by experts or researchers to account for the undiscovered species.
3. Multiply the known species count by the estimation factor to get the estimated total invertebrate species count: (K x F).

Example: If the number of known invertebrate species is 1.3 million and the recommended estimation factor is 10, the estimated number of invertebrate species worldwide would be (1.3 million x 10) = 13 million species.

Determine the number of species that have become extinct in the last 100 years

Method:

1. Consult databases, scientific publications, or reports that document species extinctions over the past 100 years.

2. Compile the total number of species classified as extinct within this time frame.

Example: Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, there have been 902 documented extinctions of animal and plant species between 1900 and 2022, with 302 of those extinctions occurring in the last 100 years.

Animal Kingdom Part

Distinguish between different phyla based on body plans and structural features

Method:

1. Review the characteristics of various animal phyla in terms of their body plans, such as radial symmetry, bilateral symmetry, segmentation, and specialized tissue layers.

2. Compare and contrast the structural features of different phyla, such as presence of a coelom, digestive systems, and specialized organ systems.

Example: Porifera have radial symmetry and lack a coelom, while Cnidaria exhibit radial symmetry and possess a gastrovascular cavity. Annelids are bilaterally symmetrical and have a coelom, while Nematodes also have bilateral symmetry but lack a coelom.

Identify the common characteristics of different classes of animals

Method:

1. Group animals based on their class and study the collective features within each group.

2. Identify similarities in body structures, such as vertebrates vs. invertebrates, jaws vs. jawless, or segmented vs. unsegmented bodies.

3. Note the presence or absence of specific organ systems, appendages, and other distinctive characteristics within each class.

Example: Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates with mammary glands and hair, while birds are warm-blooded vertebrates with feathers and beaks. Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates with scales and amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates with moist skin.

Compare the digestive systems of various groups of animals

Method:

1. Examine the digestive system diagrams or descriptions for different groups of animals (e.g., mammals, birds, fish).

2. Identify and compare the components and functions of their digestive systems, such as mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs like liver and pancreas.

3. Analyze the adaptations in digestive systems that allow different groups to process specific types of food.

Example: Ruminant mammals have a specialized four-chambered stomach, including the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, to break down plant cellulose efficiently. Birds lack teeth and possess a muscular stomach called gizzard that helps grind seeds and plant matter. Fish have a simpler digestive system often comprising a mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestine, with variations depending on their diets

Animal Physiology:

Calculate the heart rate of a dog and compare it to that of a human

Method:

1. Take the pulse of a dog and a human using your fingers or a stethoscope placed at the wrist or near the heart.

2. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to obtain the heart rate per minute.

3. Compare the heart rates of the dog and the human.

Example: If a dog’s heart rate is 120 beats per minute and a human’s heart rate is 80 beats per minute, the dog’s heart rate is 1.5 times faster than the human’s.

Determine the respiratory rate of a fish and explain the mechanism of gas exchange

Method:

1. Observe a fish in a tank or aquarium and count the number of times its gills open and close per minute.

2. To understand the mechanism of gas exchange:

• Fish breathe through their gills, which are specialized respiratory organs.
• Water passes over the gills, allowing oxygen from the water to dissolve into the blood vessels within the gill filaments. At the same time, carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the water.

Example: If a fish’s respiratory rate is 60 breaths per minute, this indicates the frequency of gas exchange between its blood and the surrounding water.

Estimate the energy expenditure of a bird during flight and compare it to that of a mammal of the same size

Method:

1. Calculate the energy expenditure of a bird during flight by measuring its oxygen consumption. This can be done using respirometry techniques or by observing its metabolic rate during flight.

2. Compare this to the energy expenditure of a mammal of similar size, considering the mammal’s energy needs for locomotion and other vital functions.

Example: A study comparing a 100-gram bird and a 100-gram mammal might find that the bird’s energy expenditure during flight is significantly higher due to the metabolic demands of flapping wings and maintaining lift.

Animal Behavior:

Observe and record the behavior of a social animal such as a bee or an ant and infer the underlying mechanisms of communication and coordination

Method:

1. Observe a beehive or an ant colony in their natural habitat.

2. Take detailed notes of the behaviors you observe, including interactions giữa different individuals, patterns of movement, and communication signals.

3. Analyze your observations to infer how these social animals communicate and coordinate their activities, such as foraging for food, building their homes, and defending the colony.

Example: Observing bees might reveal communication through dances that convey information about food sources, while observing ants might uncover chemical pheromone trails used to guide other individuals to food or resources.

Design an experiment to test the learning ability of a rat or a mouse and analyze the results

Method:

1. Design a maze or a task that requires the animal to learn and adapt to find a reward.

2. Conduct multiple trials with the animal, recording the time taken to complete the task and any changes in behavior or strategy.

3. Analyze the data to determine the learning ability of the animal and assess how effectively it can adapt to new challenges.

Example: A rat or mouse could be placed in a maze where it has to find food. The time taken to find the food in subsequent trials could indicate its learning ability and problem-solving skills.

Compare the mating behaviors of different species of animals and explain the evolutionary significance of these behaviors

Method:

1. Study the mating behaviors of different animal species through direct observation, literature review, or documentaries.

2. Compare the courtship rituals, mating strategies, and reproductive behaviors between species.

3. Analyze how these behaviors contribute to the reproductive success and survival of each species in their respective environments.

Example: Comparing the mating behaviors of birds might reveal diverse strategies, from elaborate courtship displays to territorial defense, while studying mammals could illustrate variation in mating systems, such as monogamy, polygamy, and lek mating. These comparisons can provide insights into the evolutionary drivers behind mating behavior.