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BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 1 MC

Human activities have significantly impacted species survival throughout history. Which of the following examples best demonstrates how understanding past human-induced extinctions can inform future ecosystem management?

  1. The extinction of the dodo bird due to hunting informs current wildlife protection laws.
  2. The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria guides modern medical practices.
  3. The disappearance of the Tasmanian tiger influences current conservation strategies in Australia.
  4. The domestication of wolves into dogs shapes modern animal breeding programs.
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\(C\)

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→ The Tasmanian tiger’s extinction was driven by overhunting, habitat loss, and competition from introduced species.

→ Modern scientists can learn from this event by prioritising habitat preservation and controlling invasive species to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

\(\Rightarrow C\)

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 40

"Close monitoring is critical for endangered species and at-risk ecosystems."

Provide an example of an endangered species and an at-risk ecosystem and suggest a policy response that could arise from such monitoring.   (4 marks)

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Endangered species (one of many possibilities):

→ Tasmanian Devils are an endangered species that has been decimated by Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) and is intensely monitored.

→ Monitoring provides accurate information of their population numbers and allows informed policy to be made, such as the establishment of Devil’s Ark for devil breeding by non-infected individuals.
 

At-risk ecosystem (one of many possibilities):

→ The Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania is a closely monitored ecosystem.

→ This ecosystem is endangered from climate change with the forest floor underbrush becoming an increasing fire hazard as vegetation dries out. Monitoring allows for the development of an effective bushfire strategy in the area.

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Endangered species (one of many possibilities):

→ Tasmanian Devils are an endangered species that has been decimated by Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) and is intensely monitored.

→ Monitoring provides accurate information of their population numbers and allows informed policy to be made, such as the establishment of Devil’s Ark for devil breeding by non-infected individuals.
 

At-risk ecosystem (one of many possibilities):

→ The Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania is a closely monitored ecosystem.

→ This ecosystem is endangered from climate change with the forest floor underbrush becoming an increasing fire hazard as vegetation dries out. Monitoring allows for the development of an effective bushfire strategy in the area.

BIOLOGY, M4 EQ-Bank 39

"Biodiversity is the cornerstone of a healthy planet."

Discuss this statement, outlining the key advantages of preserving biodiversity for ecosystems and human well-being?   (4 marks)

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→ Making the effort to preserve biodiversity creates a range of important benefits to both the ecosystem and us.

→ A well preserved biodiversity provides enormous economic value to society through the bio-resources it produces, such as food, timber, fibres and medicines.

→ Rich biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem also indirectly benefit many other natural processes such as pollination, maintaining clean water and productive soil.

→ Maintaining biodiversity is integral to preserving wild life and ecosystems. By disrupting ecosystems, food webs and chains can be affected, causing drastic changes in populations and even extinction. Preserving ecosystems maintains the aesthetic beauty of nature for current and future generations.

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→ Making the effort to preserve biodiversity creates a range of important benefits to both the ecosystem and us.

→ A well preserved biodiversity provides enormous economic value to society through the bio-resources it produces, such as food, timber, fibres and medicines.

→ Rich biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem also indirectly benefit many other natural processes such as pollination, maintaining clean water and productive soil.

→ Maintaining biodiversity is integral to preserving wild life and ecosystems. By disrupting ecosystems, food webs and chains can be affected, causing drastic changes in populations and even extinction. Preserving ecosystems maintains the aesthetic beauty of nature for current and future generations.

BIOLOGY, M4 2014 HSC 34c

Demonstrate how applications of the Human Genome Project could affect future trends in human biological evolution.   (4 marks)

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→ The Human Genome Project has succeeded in mapping genes and identifying base sequences of the entire genome.

→ Precise locations of disease-causing genes have been discovered, as well as their specific base sequences.

→ Genetic screening allows people to find out whether they hold defective genes. This can show whether themselves, their family or potentially future children are at risk of a genetic disease even before symptoms appear. 

→ Modification of lifestyle could help to prolong life and increase the chances of the individual producing offspring. This could increase the frequency of the defective gene in the population.

→ Pharmaceuticals can be designed to prevent expression of defective DNA using base sequence recognition chemistry.

→ This would mean that holders of a defective gene would not experience a defective genotype and might live longer lives, causing the defective gene to become more common in the humans species as a consequence.

→ CRISPR is an emerging gene-editing technology that can be used to modify, delete or correct precise regions of our DNA. Its use on humans is currently very limited but its potential is promising for treatment of genetic diseases.

→ While somatic gene editing by CRISPR affects only the patient being treated, germ-line editing affects all cells in an organism, including eggs and sperm. This means that future generations who would normally be affected by the genetic disease in question would be unaffected as the defective gene would not be part of their genotype.

Show Worked Solution

→ The Human Genome Project has succeeded in mapping genes and identifying base sequences of the entire genome.

→ Precise locations of disease-causing genes have been discovered, as well as their specific base sequences.

→ Genetic screening allows people to find out whether they hold defective genes. This can show whether themselves, their family or potentially future children are at risk of a genetic disease even before symptoms appear. 

→ Modification of lifestyle could help to prolong life and increase the chances of the individual producing offspring. This could increase the frequency of the defective gene in the population.

→ Pharmaceuticals can be designed to prevent expression of defective DNA using base sequence recognition chemistry.

→ This would mean that holders of a defective gene would not experience a defective genotype and might live longer lives, causing the defective gene to become more common in the humans species as a consequence.

→ CRISPR is an emerging gene-editing technology that can be used to modify, delete or correct precise regions of our DNA. Its use on humans is currently very limited but its potential is promising for treatment of genetic diseases.

→ While somatic gene editing by CRISPR affects only the patient being treated, germ-line editing affects all cells in an organism, including eggs and sperm. This means that future generations who would normally be affected by the genetic disease in question would be unaffected as the defective gene would not be part of their genotype.