The Biosphere

What we have learned earlier

CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOSPHERE

Study the information and perform the tasks given in italics.

1. Unless the natural resources are properly protected and maintained the equilibrium of the nature will be affected adversely.

2. Each species has its own adaptations in relation to its ecosystem.

3. The extensive utilization of fuels, including fossil fuels is becoming harmful to the living world.

4. Over population leads to environmental pollution and it also affects ecological balance.

5. Air pollution and water pollution cause different kinds of ailments.

6. Different living beings in an ecosystem exist through food relations of commensalisms, symbiosis and parasitism.

7. Biosphere is formed of various ecosystems of different trophic levels.

8. It is possible to schematise diagrammatically the interrelationships between different trophic levels of a food chain.

9. Carbohydrates and lipids are formed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, while protein is composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.

BIOLOGY

E ven though there is diversity among the living organisms in the biosphere, their bodies are made up of same kinds of elements. Their cells, tissues and organs all have same type of materials. The body components of a living being become the food of another organism. Food being the chief source of energy, it is clear that along with food components, energy is also transferred through the food chains. This process should be regularly carried out for the proper maintenance of environmental equilibrium. But the indiscriminate invasion of the ecosystem by man has always adversely affected the natural environment.

Let us first consider the flow of materials and energy through the food chains as the prime characteristic of the biosphere. This will help us to know the significance of the need for conservation of nature and natural resources.

Do you know what the biosphere is?

Biologically, the habitat which contains air, water and soil together make up the living world or the biosphere. It includes the entire surface of the earth and the water bodies. It also extends about 20 kilometers in height and about 11 kilometers in depth from the surface of the earth.

The ecosystem is the basic unit of biosphere. All the living organisms in an ecosystem together form the biotic community. Each specific population in a biotic community is called a species.

After observing any one of the ecosystems, record the components which include the biotic factors, abiotic factors and the different species in a biotic community etc in your science diary.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29