Biodiversity and Conservation Test - 73

A genomic library is a collection of the total genomic DNA from a single organism. Construction of a genomic library involves creating many recombinant DNA molecules. An organism's genomic DNA is extracted and then digested with a restriction enzyme. For organisms with very small genomes (~10 kb), the digested fragments can be separated by gel electrophoresis. The separated fragments can then be excised and cloned into the vector separately. However, when a large genome is digested with a restriction enzyme, there are too many fragments to excise individually. The entire set of fragments must be cloned together with the vector, and separation of clones can occur after.

• Smaller population faces more risk of extinction than larger population.
• Smaller population faces more random fluctuation, which may result in greater death rate than birth rate and that ultimately leads to their extinction.
• Moreover, in smaller population, more inbreeding occurs between the individuals of a population, that leads to decrease in population's potential by letting the expression of harmful mutations through heterozygosity. In smaller population, amount of accumulated variation is lesser than in larger population. 
• Variation help in survival of population under changed environmental conditions.

A collection of clones that includes all the DNA sequences of a given species is called as a genomic DNA library. Most DNA cloning is done with E. coli plasmid vectors because of the relative simplicity of the cloning procedure. Clones carrying 20 kb DNA fragments are required to represent the total human haploid genome, which contains 3109 base pairs.

Pitti is an island in Lakshadweep. Pitti Island, is an important breeding place for sea turtles and for a number of pelagic birds, such as the brown noddy (Anous stolidus), lesser crested tern (Sterna bengalensis) and greater crested tern (Sterna bergii). The island has been declared a bird sanctuary.

• Some animals undergo a long sleep or a temporary period of activeness to avoid extreme climatic conditions. Winter sleep is called hibernation and summer sleep is called aestivation. 
• An age pyramid with a broader base indicates that there are a number of individuals present in the pre-reproductive phase to take place of the individuals in the reproductive phase.
• Such a population is an expanding population. In case the number of individuals in pre-reproductive age are less than those in the reproductive phase, the population will be declining population.
• If an area is characterized by an unusually high diversity of organisms, and most of them usually endemic; such an area will be called as biodiversity hot spot, like western Ghats in our country.
  Hence, the correct option is B.

The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the five big cats in the genus Panthera and a member of the family Felidae. Wild lions currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia (where an endangered remnant population resides in Gir Forest National Park in India) while other types of lions have disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times. They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru. The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a major population decline in its African range of 3050% per two decades during the second half of the 20th century. Lion populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern. Within Africa, the West African lion population is particularly endangered.

Ex-situ conservation means literally, "off-site conservation". It is the process of protecting an endangered species of plant or animal outside its natural habitat; for example, by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location, which may be a wild area or within the care of humans. While ex-situ conservation comprises some of the oldest and best known conservation methods, it also involves newer, sometimes controversial laboratory methods. 

Tendwa is biologically termed as Panthera pardus. It is otherwise called as Indian Leopard. Indian leopard is one of the most exclusive and successful members of Indian big cats. It is widely known for its unique skills of climbing over the trees, jumping and secretive habits. Long and well muscled body, powerful limbs and broad paws, this Indian leopard embodies all great skills from big cats and smaller cats. In comparison to lion and other big cats, leopard are very adaptable with all circumstances and that is why, they are present in large numbers in India and other countries.

Environment is preserved as a self-sustaining system by wildlife. Wildlife includes various living organism which are interdependent on each other and able to meet the basic requirement for survival.

In situ conservation is on-site conservation or the conservation of genetic resources in natural populations of plant or animal species, such as forest genetic resources in natural populations of tree species. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves are examples for in-situ conservation.