Exploring Biodiversity: The Domains Of Life, Threats, Importance For Humanity
Biodiversity: Three Domains of life
Within Domain Eukarya, list the major Kingdoms. Provide and describe at least three examples of organisms that are important to humans and identify their Domain and Kingdom. The three Domains of Life include Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya which all differ and are similar in many different ways. One thing that is similar between the three domains of life are the characteristics that they have. These characteristics include homeostasis, growth, adaptations, reproduction, and metabolism, all of these things are used to classify things as living. Also the three domains have all derived from the same ancestor.
Another thing that is similar between the three domains of life are that they all are made of cells which have some form of DNA within. While the three domains of life have many things that are similar to each other there are also things that make them all different from each other. One thing that makes bacteria different from both Eukarya and Archaea is that it has a component called peptidoglycan that makes up its cell wall. Archaea differs from both Bacteria and Eukarya because they prefer to live in very harsh conditions. These harsh conditions in which Archaea lives includes the Artic, the mouth of volcanos, very dry areas, and in areas with high radiation. Eukarya is different from both Bacteria and Archaea in many different ways. One-way Eukarya is different is due to the makeup of the cells, unlike the other two domains eukaryotes have both a nucleus, which holds the DNA within, and many different organelles which run the cells functions.
The Eukarya domain of life is broken down into different kingdoms to organism all of the living organisms within the domain. The major kingdoms within the Eukarya domain include Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. One eukaryote that are important to humans are the copperhead snakes, this snake is a member of the Animalia kingdom, which have a component within their venom called controstatin that is being used in trial cases to see how this component helps in fighting cancer. Another organism that is important to humans is also from the Eukarya domain and belongs to the kingdom of Fungi, this organism has the scientific name of Penicillium notatum which produces penicillin, which is an antibiotic that is used by humans very often when treating bacterial infections. Gymnosperms within the Domain of Eukarya and the kingdom of Plantae, are important to humans in that they produce many things that we use such as the lumber they produce which can be used to build homes and produce paper.
The main threats to biodiversity
One main threat to biodiversity is loss of habitat for organisms. One type of loss of habitat on land is deforestation. In many areas forest are being cleared for the expanding populations to move into these areas, also areas are being cleared so the lumber can be used. Deforestation is affecting species because when their habitats are lost many species of animals are unable to survive in the new conditions.
Another threat to biodiversity is the threat of pollution from the goods humans consume then dispose of. These pollutants can then cause catastrophic events for species. For instance, plastics and other trash are being dumped into the oceans which mimics the movements of food for many species who then ingest these pollutants and then many die from this. Also, the animals may become trapped in the trash which may then lead to injuries or death. Climate change is also a large threat to the biodiversity in the world. Climate change is leading to the earth to heat up melting ice caps as well as warming the oceans. The water heating up is leading to the coral reefs within the ocean to become bleached and ultimately dying.
Why biodiversity is important to humanity
To understand why biodiversity is important to humanity it is important to know what biodiversity is. Biodiversity is all of the different species of living things that are in the world and in certain ecosystems. This diversity in living things has an impact on our lives that we as humans do not often think about it. It is very important to have a diversity in the ecosystems around us because being without it can lead to negative consequences.
One-way biodiversity is important for humans is in our agricultural productions. The biodiversity within plants is very important within plants because it assures there is a genetic diversity within the plants that are grown for us to eat. If the plants had no genetic diversity, then mutations and disease would occur that would cause for the plants to ultimately die. Genetic diversity in livestock is also a way biodiversity helps humans because like plants the vast genetics allows for the risk of diseases in the livestock to greatly lessen. Biodiversity also leads to soils being diverse as well which is beneficial to humans. When the soil is diverse it has many different organisms and nutrients present within it which allows for the plants we eat to grow and develop greatly.
Another way that biodiversity is important to humans in that it lessens the risk for infectious diseases being brought up. When biodiversity is threatened then the risk of an infectious disease being is much higher than if it were if the biodiversity was is good standings. For instance, when habitats are being destroyed due to deforestation and humans move into the newly cut down areas this can lead to infectious diseases being brought out. These diseases would not have been introduced to the human population if the forest was left alone and the biodiversity of the forest was not put at risk. Also, biodiversity in river systems led to a lesser risk of infectious diseases. When the rivers are dammed then the diverse organisms that freely move about the ecosystems of the rivers cannot do so which then leads to the ecosystem to be disrupted and held at a standstill which may lead to mosquito borne diseases to be more prevalent.
Finally, biodiversity is important to humans in that it allows for humans to benefit from ecosystem services. One example of an ecosystem that humans benefit from is cultural services which allow us humans to experience the diversity in species around the world through hiking, camping, and a new form of tourism called ecotourism. Ecotourism is tourism that allows humans to experience the biodiversity in different areas that they may not experience before. Another ecosystem service that humans benefit from are regulating services that help in many different ways. One regulating service that is beneficial to humans is that it helps control erosion in areas that can negatively affect humans. Erosion can be prevented through plants and vegetation that is already present in an area. If erosion were to happen in certain areas than there could be a shortage of food and may led to deadly mudslides.
In conclusion, biodiversity has a large impact on humans in many different ways. Whether it be our agriculture it is affecting or our health biodiversity plays a crucial role. Biodiversity also allows for humans to enjoy the things we get to experience in our daily lives. While we benefit from biodiversity it is also important that we protect the biodiversity in the ecosystems around us.
