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CHAPTER 8
The non-living components such as 1.pH value soil and water 2.Light intensity as source of energy 3.Temperature 4.Humidity amount of water vapour present in the air 5.Topography physical features of land (altitude, gradient and aspect of region) 6.Microclimate climate in a microhabitat
The living organisms in the environment such as Producers synthesise organic substances (plants) Consumers eat other organisms (primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer) Decomposers microorganisms that break down waste products and dead bodies (bacteria and fungi)
Food chain - sequence of organisms through which energy is transferred. Each stage - trophic level
Food web food chain interconnected. Energy flows through food web and lost when it transferred from one level to another level of the trophic levels in the form of heat
Organisms interact with one another in various ways such as Symbiosis Saprophytism Prey-predator
Symbiosis
close relationship between two or more different species which live closely together and interact with each other three categories: Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism Commensalism One species (the commensal) benefits, the other (the host) dont get benefits nor is harmed E.g. epiphytes grows on branches of trees Mutualism Relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit E.g. bacteria in the digestive system of human
Commensalism One species (the commensal) benefits, the other (the host) dont get benefits nor is harmed
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E.g. epiphytes grows on branches of trees Mutualism Relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit E.g. bacteria in the digestive system of human Parasitism Relationship between two organisms in which one organism (the parasites) benefits from the other organism (the host) Two types: Ectoparasites live on the surface of the host (e.g. ticks and fleas) Endoparasites live inside the body of the host (e.g. tapeworms)
Prey-predator
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Relationship where an organism which is smaller, called the prey, is haunted and eaten by a stronger animal, the predator E.g. an owl (predator) and a rat (prey) The interaction takes place in a cycle that keeps the populations of both organisms in a dynamic equilibrium
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The interaction between biotic component in relation to competition Competition interaction between organisms living together in a habitat and competing for the same resources that are limited supply Two types: Intraspecific competition between the same species Interspecific competition between different species
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Ecosystem
A community of organisms which interact with their non-living environment & function as unit. Vary in size. Have level of organisation:
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Species a group of organisms that have similar characterisitics, share the same roles in an ecosystem and are capable of interbreeding. Population a group of organisms of same species living in the same habitat at the same time. Community several different species living in the same habitat in an ecosystem Niche role of an organism in ecosystem
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Colonisation takes place in a newly formed areas where no life previously existed. The first organism occupy a newly formed area are called pioneer species.
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Characteristics: 1.Hardy plant that have dense root system (grass) 2.Short life-cycle They modify and creating more conducive condition to other organisms
Second species came after the pioneer species are the successor species. Characteristics: 1.Bigger than pioneer species (herbs) 2.Have small wind-dispersal seeds (to spread and grow rapidly)
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They change the structure and quality of the soil and creating more conducive condition for larger plants to grow.
Third and permanent species are the dominant species (shrub). Modify the environment for larger trees to grow. Succession the gradual process through
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which one community changes its environment to be replaced by another community. Climax community ecological succession leads to relatively stable community (equilibrium with its environment)
population ecology
A branch of ecology that studies the structure and dynamics of population.
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Population density number of organism per unit area of habitat Affected by abiotic and biotic factors, birth rate, death rate, immigration and emigration. Direct counting method to estimate the size and density of population (impractical due to the size of ecosystem, the number of plants involved and the movement of the animal). Sampling technique more practical way, enable us to estimate the total population size of the organism.
Used in estimating the size of plant population and immobile animal. A quadrat metal, wooden frame or PVC pipe frame which form a square of a known area (1 m2). Placed randomly in an ecosystem where sampling is carried out.
when a quadrat is thrown a certain number of time Density the mean number of individuals of species per unit area Percentage coverage an indication of how much the area of quadrat is occupied by a species
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8.4
Biodiversity
The diverse species of plants and animal interacting with one another on Earth. Need to be classified because there are many organisms in this world.
Classification of Organisms Taxonomy branch of Biology concerned with identifying, describing and naming organisms. Systematic method of classifying plants and animal based on the similarities in their characteristics.
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Classification of Organisms Organisms can be classified into 5 major kingdom: 1.Monera / Prokaryotae 2.Protista 3.Fungi 4.Plantae 5.Animalia
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6.Genus 7.Species The number of organisms at each levels decreases Naming of organisms is based on Linnaeus binomial system. Each organism has two names in Latin first name is the name of genus (begins with capital letter) & second name is the name of species (begins with small letter)
E.g. Mimosa pudica Mimosa refers to the genus and pudica refers to the species. Specific names are written in italic or underline.
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The importance of biodiversity Provide various biological products food, medicine, timber, etc.
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Provide many environmental services nutrient cycle, pollination, etc. Give diversity in the genetic pool.
Microorganism
Tiny living things that only can be seen using microscope
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Classified based on their characteristics (appearance, shape, size, method of reproduction, nutrition and habitat)
Classified into 5 groups: 1.Viruses smallest microorganisms, not a living cell and must use living cells to reproduce. (E.g. HIV, Influenza virus etc.) 2. Bacteria unicellular organisms, have cell wall, form spores under unfavourable condition and have 3 common shape spherical, rod-shaped and spiral. (E.g. Lactobacillus sp., Straphyloccous sp. etc.)
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Protozoa unicellular organism, have plasma membrane and can carry out living processes. (E.g. Amoeba sp., Paramecium sp. etc.)
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Algae have chlorophyl and chloroplast, can undergoes photosynthesis process. (E.g. Spirogyra sp.)
5.Fungi heterotrophic microorganisms, feeds by secreting enzymes that break down the surrounding organic material into simple molecule before absorb them. (E.g. Mucor sp., yeast etc.)
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Role of s microorganisms in e cosyste m Dige sting animals food Dige sting humans food
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Controlling pathogens
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Food processing
Waste treatment
Appreciating Biodiversity
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Endangered Ecosystem
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CHAPTER 9
Pollution - Any undesirable change in the natural environment caused by pollutant. Pollutant substance that cause pollution Pollution being make dirty Types of environmental pollution: 1.Air pollution 2.Water pollution 3.Soil pollution 4.Pollution caused by solid waste and hazardous (dangerous) waste 5.Noise pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is responsible for major health effects. Every year, the health of countless people is ruined or endangered by air pollution.
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Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative ways. Just how sick people will get depends on what chemicals they are exposed to, in what concentrations, and for how long. Studies have estimated that the number of people killed annually in the US alone could be over 50,000. Older people are highly vulnerable to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk. Because people are exposed to so many potentially dangerous pollutants, it is often hard to know exactly which pollutants are responsible for causing sickness. Also, because a mixture of different pollutants can intensify sickness, it is often difficult to isolate those pollutants that are at fault. Many diseases could be caused by air pollution without their becoming apparent for a long time. Diseases such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease may all eventually appear in people exposed to air pollution. Air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide also have harmful effects on natural ecosystems. They can kill plants and trees by destroying their leaves, and can kill animals, especially fish in highly polluted rivers.
Water pollution
Boston Harbor is a strong example of how badly pollution can damage bodies of water. The water is filled with toxic waste
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and sewage, and routinely receives more waste when rainfall pushes it into the harbor. Many bodies of water near urban areas are highly polluted. This is the result of both garbage dumped by individuals and dangerous chemicals legally or illegally dumped by industries. The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that inhabits water-based ecosystems. Dead fish, birds, dolphins, and many other animals often wind up on beaches, killed by pollutants in their habitat. Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels. Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well. People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been poisoned. Ecosystems can be severely changed or destroyed by water pollution. Many areas are now being affected by careless human pollution, and this pollution is coming back to hurt humans.
Soil pollution
Not enough oxygen in the soil, acidy soils that may burn the plant,
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bugs will go and start an infestation in the soil, it effects plants growth, the soil pollution eats away at the nutrients and becomes a bigger soil polluter, not enough drainage, new soil diseases develop every year, not enough moisture in the soil.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution disturbs our health and behavior in a number of ways including deafness causing lack of sleep, irritability, indigestion, heartburn, high blood pressure, ulcers, and heart disease. Just one noise
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explosion from a passing truck drastically alters our endocrinal, neurological, and cardiovascular functions in many individuals. If this is prolonged or frequent, the physiological disturbances become chronic and contribute to mental illness. Sometimes, even low levels of noise are irritating and can be frustrating, and high volumes can be annoying. Natural sounds are less irritating than those we find uncontrollable but intermittent sounds such as a tap dripping water can be more irritating than the sound of falling rain. Noise more than 50dB can be very difficult to hear and interpret and cause problems such as partial deafness. Increased noise levels gives rise to a lack of concentration and accuracy at work, and reduce ones productivity and performance. Difficult tasks can be impaired, and instructions or warnings difficult to be heard and interpreted, causing accidents.
Greenhouse effect.
Occur when greenhouse gases accumulates in the atmosphere to form a layer of gases Greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbon, nitrogen oxides, methane and water vapour The layer of gases trap the Suns heat around the world Greenhouse effect cause the global warming
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Ozone layer located in the atmosphere. consist of ozone molecules which made up of three oxygen atom (O3). act as protective shield that absorb the Suns harmful UV radiation
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Main cause - chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) CFC man made gases used as refrigerant (substance that make things cold or freeze) and propellants (compressed gas that forces out the content of an aerosol container) CFC when exposed to UV radiation will release chlorine atom which can break down ozone molecules in chain reaction causing the ozone layer become thinner
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Measures taken in the management of development activities 1.Implementation of laws 2.Use of technology 3.Education on the management of resources 4.Preservation and conservation activities 5.The practice of biological control
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