ECOLOGY AND POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. (a) Explain the following terms as used in ecology; biosphere , habitat, niche.
Biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their
relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the lithosphere,
hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Biosphere is the part of the earth where living things exist.
The part of the earth (or planet) that is capable of supporting life. The living things and
their environment. All of the ecosystems of the earth.
Habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of
animal, plant, or other type of organism. It is the natural environment in which an
organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds a species population.
Niche is the place or function of a given organism within its ecosystem. Note: Different
organisms may compete for the same niche. For example, in a forest there may be
a niche for an organism that can fly and eat nectar from blossoms.
(b) (i) Distinguish between the underlined terms
Biotic factors are the factors of an ecosystem that are alive. For example: trees, grass,
bears, etc.
Abiotic factors are the factors of an ecosystem that are not living. For example: the pH of
the soil, rain, rocks, etc.
(ii) Name an ecosystem that you think of, and give an example of an abiotic factor that
influences the distribution of a a biotic organism in the ecosystem
Habitats of animals and plants vary widely from aquatic environments to the dry deserts.
Water is essential for life and all the biotic components of the ecosystem are directly
dependent on water for survival.
(iii) Whats term is used by ecologist to describe the organisms that form the base of the
pyramid
Producers

2. (a) Which plant is best adapted to the dim light?

X . Population is high.
(b) What is relationship X and Y
Can survive in dim light conditions
3. Why are so few top carnivores or tertiary consumer in ecosystem?
In a healthy ecosystem predators and prey reach a balance so that there are always
enough prey animals to continue reproducing. This ensures a permanent supply of food
for the predators. If the predators over hunt the prey animal, the population of prey will
decline causing the predators to starve.The ecosystem will not also be balanced if there
are more predators than preys.
4. The difference between density-dependent and independent factor.
Density dependent factors are factors that depend of the population (density). Such as
food, water, and space
Density Independent factors are factors that the population (density) depends on. Such as
weather, natural disasters and random occurances.
5. Why do some species have many offspring at different times over the course of their live?
Though many people may choose only to have one child, humans are biologically
capable of having offspring many times over the course of their lives. Iteroparous
vertebrates include all birds, most reptiles, virtually all mammals, and most fish. Among
invertebrates, most mollusca and many insects (for example, mosquitoes and
cockroaches) are iteroparous.

6. What is biogeochemical?

The movement (or cycling) of matter through a system. Nitrogen is present in the
environment in a wide variety of chemical forms including organic
nitrogen,ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric
oxide (NO) or inorganic nitrogen gas (N2). Organic nitrogen may be in the form of a
living organism, humus or in the intermediate products of organic matter decomposition.
The processes of the nitrogen cycle transform nitrogen from one form to another. Many
of those processes are carried out by microbes, either in their effort to harvest energy or
to accumulate nitrogen in a form needed for their growth. The diagram above shows how
these processes fit together to form the nitrogen cycle.

REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Describe the process of double fertilization in plants.
A single pollen grain has 2 sperm. Double fertilization occurs when 1 of these sperm
combines with the egg, and the other sperm combines with a cell (this is called
endosperm) That is in order for the seed to keep being produced.Seed has to be

germinated, and without the extra sperm (double fertilization) the plant couldn't
germinate and would go extinct.
2. Explain the role of hormone in regulation of menstrual cycle
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced by a part of the brain called
the hypothalamus. When it circulates in the blood, it causes the release of two
important hormones from the pituitary gland in another specialised part of the brain.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland during the first
half of the menstrual cycle. It stimulates development of the maturing ovarian follicle
and controls ovum production in the female, and sperm production in the male.
Leutenizing hormone (LH) is also produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It
stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone. It
triggers ovulation (the release of a mature ovum from the ovary), and it promotes the
development of the corpus luteum.
3.

Function of
(a) Oestrogen is a female reproductive hormone, produced primarily by the ovaries in
the non-pregnant woman. It promotes the maturation and release of an ovum in
every menstrual cycle. It is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy.
(b) Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary; its function is to
prepare the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for the reception and development
of the fertilised ovum. It also suppresses the production of oestrogen after
ovulation has occurred.

4. Outline the role of positive feedback and hormone involvement in process of birth.
Three of the main hormones involved with reproduction: oxytocin, endorphin, and
adrenaline. These hormones play a major role in regulating the process of labor and
birth, and learning about them can help you understand what will happen during labor
and birth. Childbearing women and their caregivers can take actions to support or
disrupt their effects, so, understanding how they work and how they are affected is
important for making informed decisions.

5. The human gestation period

First trimester, the embryo really starts to take shape. The facial structures begin to
form and become recognizable. The neural tube, which will form the brain and spinal
cord, develops. Little buds emerge and grow into arms and legs.
Second trimester a fine hair called lanugo covers its body. The kidneys and urinary
tract start to produce urine and release it into the amniotic fluid. The liver begins
secreting bile, and the spleen begins to aid in the production of red blood cells.
Third fetus will finish its development and prepare for the difficult birth process. It is
now about 15 inches long and weighs between two and three pounds. Its eyes are a
definite color

GROWTH
1. Intermittent is occurring at separated intervals, having periods of cessation of activity.
Allometric growth is phenomenon whereby parts of the same organism grow at different
rates. contrast with isometric growth.
Isometric growth that occurs at the same rate for all parts of an organism so that its shape
is consistent throughout development. Contrast with allometric growth.
2. (a) allometric growth curve
(b) P- lymphoid tissue. Q- head. R- reproductive system.
(c) As time from birth increase, size of attained of growth increase.

3. A- lag phase, growth slow because cell division occur at slow pace. Organism try to
adapt new environment.
B- exponential, growth rate exponential . This because the growth of organism is not
hindered by any obstacles.
C- Equilibrium. Organism has achieved maturity. The rate cell division is equal to the rate
of cell mortality.
D- negative growth, ageing process. Reduced resources of food and space