1)Differentiate between;
a) pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass
b)Parasitism and predation
c)Interspecific and intraspecific competition
d)Carrying capacity and biomass
e)Habitat and ecology
f)Community and population
2)Describe 4 abiotic factors affecting an ecosystem.
a) Pyramid of numbers refers to the graphical representation of the number of individuals at each trophic level in an ecosystem. It shows the decrease in the number of individuals as you move up the food chain. On the other hand, pyramid of biomass represents the total mass or biomass of organisms at each trophic level. It demonstrates the decrease in biomass as you move up the food chain.
b) Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of another organism, the host. The parasite feeds on the host's resources, causing harm or damage to the host. Predation, on the other hand, is a type of interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts, kills, and consumes another organism, the prey, for food.
c) Interspecific competition occurs between different species, where they compete for limited resources such as food, water, or shelter. Intraspecific competition occurs within the same species, where individuals of the same species compete for the same resources.
d) Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that an environment can sustain over a long period of time without causing damage to the habitat or resources. It is determined by factors such as food availability, space, and other resources. Biomass, on the other hand, refers to the total mass of living organisms in a given area at a specific time.
e) Habitat refers to the specific physical environment where an organism or a population naturally lives, including the biotic and abiotic factors present. Ecology, on the other hand, is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, including the study of habitats, ecosystems, and the distribution and abundance of organisms.
f) A community refers to all the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular area or habitat. It includes all the plants, animals, and other organisms that coexist in the same ecosystem. A population, on the other hand, refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interact with each other.
2) Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem that can affect its functioning. Here are four examples:
a) Temperature: Temperature affects the metabolism and activity levels of organisms. Extreme temperatures can limit the growth and survival of certain organisms, while optimal temperatures can promote their reproductive success.
b) Precipitation: The amount and distribution of rainfall in an ecosystem can determine the availability of water for plants and animals. It affects the types of plants and animals that can survive in an area.
c) Light: Sunlight is a crucial factor in ecosystems that undergo photosynthesis. The amount of light available can affect the growth and productivity of plants, which in turn impacts the food chain and the entire ecosystem.
d) Soil composition: The composition of the soil, including its pH, nutrient content, and texture, can influence the types of plants that can grow in an area. It also affects the availability of essential nutrients for organisms living in or dependent on the soil.
These abiotic factors work together to shape the structure and dynamics of an ecosystem and influence the distribution and abundance of organisms within it.
a) Pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass:
- Pyramid of numbers: It shows the number of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain or food web. It represents the number of individuals present in each trophic level. Generally, the number of organisms decreases as you move up the pyramid, as energy is lost at each level.
- Pyramid of biomass: It shows the total biomass or the amount of living or organic matter at each trophic level in a food chain or food web. The biomass is usually measured in grams or kilograms per unit area. Similar to the pyramid of numbers, the biomass generally decreases as you move up the pyramid.
b) Parasitism and predation:
- Parasitism: It is a relationship between two organisms where one organism, called the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other organism, called the host. The parasite usually lives within or on the host and obtains nutrients or shelter from it, often causing harm to the host.
- Predation: It is a relationship between two organisms where one organism, called the predator, kills and consumes another organism, called the prey. Predation is a mechanism by which predator populations control the population of prey species.
c) Interspecific and intraspecific competition:
- Interspecific competition: It is a form of competition between different species for the same limited resources, such as food, water, and shelter. This competition occurs when there is an overlap in resource requirements between different species.
- Intraspecific competition: It is a form of competition within the same species for the same limited resources. Intraspecific competition occurs when individuals of the same species compete with each other for resources like food, mates, or territory.
d) Carrying capacity and biomass:
- Carrying capacity: It is the maximum number of individuals of a species that a particular habitat or ecosystem can sustain indefinitely without degrading the environment or depleting resources. It represents the sustainable population size of a species in a given area.
- Biomass: It is the total mass or weight of living or organic matter in a given area or ecosystem at a particular time. It includes the mass of all organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
e) Habitat and ecology:
- Habitat: It refers to the specific physical environment where an organism, population, or community lives. It includes the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors necessary for the survival and reproduction of the organism or community.
- Ecology: It is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It focuses on understanding the relationships between living organisms, their habitats, and the surrounding ecosystem.
f) Community and population:
- Community: It refers to all the populations of different species that live and interact in a particular area or habitat. A community consists of multiple species living together and interacting with each other.
- Population: It refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area at the same time. A population consists of individuals of the same species that can reproduce and potentially interact with each other.
2) Abiotic factors affecting an ecosystem:
- Temperature: It affects the metabolic rates, growth, and reproduction of organisms. Extreme temperature conditions can be harmful or even fatal to many species.
- Light availability: It affects photosynthesis in plants and influences the behavior and activity patterns of organisms, such as migration, breeding, and foraging.
- Water availability: It is crucial for the survival of organisms as it is required for various physiological functions. The availability of water affects the distribution and abundance of species in an ecosystem.
- Soil composition: It includes the physical and chemical properties of the soil, such as its texture, nutrient content, and pH. These factors influence the growth and distribution of plants and, consequently, affect the organisms that depend on them.