Chapter 8 : DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM

8.1 The Abiotic and Biotic Components of the Environment

a. State five example of abiotic and biotic of an ecosystem in a table form.

Abiotic components : 1) pH value 2) temperature 3) humidity

4) light intensity 5) topography

Biotic components :

b. Give an example with a picture of the following types of interactions :

(a) commensalism - clown fish and sea anemones

(b) parasitism - a flea

(c) prey-predator - an owl hunting a rat

c. Read the information given below and study the tables carefully.

“Three small bottles are labelled A, B and C. Paramecium aurelia an Paramecium caudatum are
cultured separately in bottles A and B. Both species are cultured together in bottle C. Equel amounts
of food are supplied to all the cultures. The population of each species is measured regularly and
recorded in the tables given.”

Table c(i) : The population of Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum when cultured
separately

Time (days) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Number of P.aurelia 4 10 60 150 180 200 220 220 220 220
Number of P.caudatum 4 25 60 120 130 140 140 140 140 140

Table c(ii) : The population of Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum when cultured together

Time (days) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Number of P.aurelia 4 8 50 80 100 120 130 150 160 168
Number of P.caudatum 4 8 35 50 40 25 22 18 10 5

1) Plot two separate graphs based on the data in Table c(i) and Table c(ii).
 2) Answer the discussion below.

Discussion :

1) What type of growth curve is shown by two species of Paramecium that are cultured
separately?
2) Based on the graphs, identify the types of competitions in both situasions.
Cultured separately = Intraspecific competition
Cultured together = Interspecific competition
3) In the mixed culture, what recources are the two species competing for? Which species
has a competitive advantage? Explain your answer.
Both of the species compete for light, nutrients, water and space. Paramecium aurelia
has the competitive advantage because it grows faster than Paramecium caudatum. The
P. aurelia reproduces at faster rate and more successful in obtaining nutrients. So, this
leads to a rapid increase in the density of the population of Paramecium aurelia and the
gradual elimination of the Paramecium caudatum.
8.2 Colonisation and Succession in an Ecosystem

a) Explain briefly the following terms :

(i) ecosystem

(ii) community

(iii) population

(iv) species

(v) niche

b) Describe each processes below in flow chart and provide pictures for every
adaptations :

(i) colonisation and succession in a pond

(ii) colonisation and succession in mangrove swamps

8.3 Biodiversity

a) Explain what is biodiversity.

Biodiversity refers to the diverse species of plants and animal in different ecosystem an
Earth.

b)What is the importance of biodiversity?

-Biological products for economy ; food, medicine, timber, spices, rubber, organic oil (useful
in canser treatment)

-environmental services to human and the other species

-diversity in the genetic pool

c) What is taxonomy?

d) Explain briefly and state at least 4 example for each 5 major kingdoms. Provide pictures
for every examples.

e) Show the hierarchy in the classification of the organisms.

f) Why is the Linnaeus binomial system is important?

g) Using the Linnaeus binomial system, state the scientific names for :

i. human - homo sapiens

ii. cat - felus catus

iii. tamarind -

iv. papaya - carica papaya