Define the terms (i) Bioprospecting (ii) Endemism
NCERT Class XII
Biology - Main Course Book
Chapter 15. Biodiversity and Conservation
Answers
Bio-prospecting and Endemism
Explanation:
(i)- Bioprospecting- The discovery and commercialization of products based on biological resources is referred to as Bioprospecting. It focuses on discovering new biological products that can be utilized in medical, agricultural nano-technological and other sectors. The products may be extracted from plants, animals, microbes or even certain soil types. Many modern pharmaceutical advances have been made with the help of bio-prospecting.
For example, the enzymes extracted from extremophile organisms that live in salt lakes and lava tubes are used in the production of various commercial products like detergents and skincare products.
The antarctic ice fish yields anti-freeze proteins.
(ii)- Endemism- If a species of an an organism is unique to a specific geographical area like a lake, island or country and is not found anywhere else in the world, it is said to be endemic to that area and this state is called endemism.
Examples of endemism include-
1- Glacial bears of Southeast Alaska
2- Lemurs of Madagascar
3- Galapagos tortoise