Biology · Biodiversity and Conservation · NEET
For NEET, remember the NCERT line exactly: the term "biodiversity" was popularised by the sociobiologist Edward Wilson. NCERT credits Wilson with popularising the word (the short form "biodiversity" was actually coined by W.G. Rosen, but NEET follows NCERT, so your answer is Edward Wilson).
Biodiversity simply means the variety of all living things. It is not just how many kinds of animals or plants there are. It covers variety at three levels: variety of genes within a species, variety of species, and variety of ecosystems. So it is the combined diversity at all levels of biological organisation.
No, and this is the most common NEET trap. Species diversity is only ONE part of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the bigger word that includes genetic diversity + species diversity + ecological diversity. Species diversity is one of the three levels, not the whole thing.
NCERT says diversity exists at all levels of biological organisation, ranging from macromolecules within cells up to biomes. The three most important levels you must know are genetic diversity, species diversity and ecological (ecosystem) diversity.
The definition and the name Edward Wilson are direct one-mark facts. Also, this chapter is high-yield: questions on levels of diversity, number of species, hotspots and conservation all build on this basic definition. Getting the base clear makes the rest of the chapter easy.
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Biodiversity is the term popularised by Edward Wilson to describe the combined diversity at all levels of biological organisation, ranging from macromolecules within cells to biomes.
The sociobiologist Edward Wilson popularised the term biodiversity, as stated in NCERT.
Genetic diversity, species diversity and ecological (ecosystem) diversity.
Genetic: Rauwolfia vomitoria varying in reserpine content across the Himalayas. Species: Western Ghats having more amphibian species than the Eastern Ghats. Ecological: India (deserts, rainforests, mangroves) having greater ecosystem diversity than Norway.
No. It covers all life and all levels — genes, species and ecosystems — including microbes, fungi and algae, not just visible animals and plants.
