Where do light independent reactions take place?
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In the stroma of the chloroplast.
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Where do light independent reactions take place?
In the stroma of the chloroplast.
What does the environment encompass?
Everything that surrounds us, both natural and man-made.
What are decomposers in the context of biodegradation?
Some fungi and bacteria that can survive on plant species.
What is the interaction in the aquatic ecosystem?
The interaction of biotic and abiotic components in the hydrosphere.
What is the title of the book by Gilbert M. M. and Wendell E.?
Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science.
How do lightning storms contribute to nitrogen fixation?
They convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates that reach the soil through rainwater.
What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by marine ecosystems?
Almost 70%.
What is the complete pathway of a chemical element in biogeochemical cycles?
It flows from the atmosphere, water, rock or soil to living organisms and back again.
What are the two main types of nitrogen fixers?
Symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers.
Who are the primary decomposers in an ecosystem?
Fungi and bacteria.
What types of environments do non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers inhabit?
Soil, marine, and freshwater environments.
What is biological warfare?
The use of biological agents to harm or intimidate populations.
What types of compounds are included in organic and inorganic components?
Amino acids, proteins, CO2, O2.
What is the main source of evaporated water in the hydrologic cycle?
Oceans.
How do plants use the energy produced during photosynthesis?
Some energy is used for respiration; the remaining is used by herbivores and carnivores in the food chain.
When did the Industrial Revolution start and end?
Started in 1760 and lasted up to 1840.
What are tertiary consumers?
Top carnivores that depend on secondary consumers, such as lions, tigers, and humans.
What role do laws play in preventing changes in ecosystems?
Laws that control pollution help protect ecosystems.
What dominates grassland ecosystems?
Grass species, with occasional growth of trees and shrubs.
What initiates the detritus food chain?
Dead animals and microorganisms feeding on detritus.
What types of consumers are found in the estuary ecosystem?
Herbivores and carnivores.
What are the primary producers in an ecosystem?
Photosynthetic bacteria, phytoplankton, and green plants.
What do producers synthesize using inorganic compounds?
Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc.
Which bacteria are associated with the roots of legumes for nitrogen fixation?
Rhizobium.
What is a food web?
A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
What is a biome?
An area classified according to the species that live in that location.
What types of consumers are found in a lotic ecosystem?
Snails, flatworms, and fish.
Who are the decomposers in an ecosystem?
Fungi and bacteria.
How do individual food chains relate to each other?
They become interconnected to form a food web.
What do nutrient cycles involve?
Storage and transfer of nutrients through different components of the ecosystem.
What role do organisms play in the degradation of organic chemicals?
They degrade organic chemicals for recycling to nature through biological and biogeochemical processes.
Where is the greatest amount of energy found in an energy pyramid?
At the base of the pyramid.
What does the hydrosphere encompass?
Water, including oceans.
What factors influence the classification of ecosystems?
The presence of abiotic and biotic factors and their interactions.
Who coined the term 'ecology' and in what year?
Earnst Haeckel in 1869.
What is one action individuals can take to help ecosystems?
Clean up litter.
How do human activities impact the environment?
Through pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
What is the primary energy source for the detritus food chain?
Organic matter produced in other systems, rather than solar energy.
What do all organisms need to survive?
A supply of energy and nutrients from their environment.
What are biogeochemical cycles?
Processes involving biological, geological, and chemical systems that are interlinked through a cyclic chain.
What is the primary function of light-dependent reactions?
To convert light into chemical energy in the form of ATP.
Name two submerged plants found in ponds.
Water hyacinth and Hydrilla.
What is a significant concern related to nuclear materials?
Production of nuclear materials.
What are the three main types of aquatic ecosystems?
What are some examples of consumers in an ecosystem?
Small fish, zooplanktons, large fish, crustaceans, and amphibians.
Give an example of a consumer that feeds on multiple species.
A hawk or eagle that eats both mice and snakes.
What do Heterotrophs consume?
Other organisms as a food source.
What is fixed as glucose during the light independent reactions?
CO2, using products of the light dependent reactions.
What is nitrogen fixation?
The conversion of N2 into NH3.
What is Environmental Science?
The study of how humans interact with their environment.
What are xenobiotics?
Hazardous chemicals foreign to animal life that are recalcitrant to biological degradation.
What are critical chemical attributes of an ecosystem?
Levels of oxygen, nutrients, pH, salinity, and other chemicals.
How do the mechanisms of biomass degradation affect the biosphere?
They regulate the biosphere through their diversity.
How long ago did agricultural practices begin?
Almost 10,000 years ago.
Which nutrients are mentioned as important for ecosystems?
Phosphate and nitrogen.
How are biotic components classified in ecosystems?
According to their mode of energy acquisition.
How is the environment defined according to the Environment Protection Act 1986?
As the sum total of water, air, and land, along with the inter-relationships among them and with human beings, other living organisms, and materials.
What is the main focus of ecology?
The study of interaction of organisms in their natural space with their surroundings.
What is another name for a major terrestrial system?
Biome.
How does solar radiation influence ecological systems?
It warms land and water masses, drives hydrologic cycles, and supports photosynthesis.
What role does sunlight play in a forest ecosystem?
It penetrates through the different zones, affecting plant growth.
What are the three main types of terrestrial ecosystems?
Forest ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, and desert ecosystem.
What is the relationship between biotic and abiotic components in a lentic ecosystem?
They are interrelated in several ways.
What are the two main types of ecosystems?
Natural and Artificial/Man-made.
What is a continuous phenomenon related to recycling mentioned in the text?
The recycling of remains from dead bodies, decayed plants, and minerals.
How is inorganic phosphate (PO4) released into the environment?
Through the action of erosion from rocks and sediments.
What are some ways humans impact the physical environment?
Overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation.
What role do organisms play in ecosystems?
Organisms interact with each other and their environment, contributing to the balance of the ecosystem.
Who defined the term 'ecosystem' and in what year?
Tansley in 1935.
Who are the decomposers in the estuary ecosystem?
Fungi and bacteria.
What are some abiotic components of marine ecosystems?
Currents, waves, tides, light, temperature, pressure, salinity.
What happens to the remaining energy after plants use it?
It is used by herbivores for their activities, and then further by carnivores in the food chain.
What is photophosphorylation?
The process of converting light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP.
What happens to nitrogen when symbiotic bacteria die or leave waste?
Certain bacteria and fungi return nitrogen to the soils and atmosphere.
What are the two main classifications of biotic components in an ecosystem?
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs.
What do biochemical factors in an ecosystem include?
All biological attributes including microbial and other biological processes.
What is a terrestrial ecosystem?
A land ecosystem.
What are the main components of a food chain?
Producers, consumers, and decomposers.
How can humans use resources to help prevent changes in ecosystems?
By using resources wisely.
What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?
Solar energy.
What is external respiration?
The process where oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled, using gills and lungs.
Who makes up the second trophic level?
Primary consumers.
How is Rubisco described in terms of its activity?
As a reversible enzyme and lethargic.
What is another name for internal respiration?
Cellular respiration.
Why is nitrogen crucial for all organisms?
It is essential for nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), proteins, and chlorophyll.
What is the term for water flowing over the ground and returning to bodies of water?
Runoff.
Name some microorganisms that are classified as saprotrophs.
Fungi like Aspergillus spp. and Trichoderma spp., and bacteria like Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp.
What percentage of the atmosphere is nitrogen?
78%.
What role do chemicals in nature play in ecosystems?
They help in nutrient cycling.
What is an example of a primary producer in the detritus food chain?
Leaf litter.
What is biomagnification?
The process where the concentration of substances, like mercury (Hg), increases in organisms at each trophic level.
What is the chemical formula for chlorophyll?
C55H72MgN4O5.
What types of waste does the earthworm feed on?
Waste produced from plants and animals, and dead bodies of plants or animals.
What is the significance of pH in ecological systems?
It is a critical factor that affects the chemical characteristics of ecosystems.
What is anaerobic cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration that occurs in the absence of oxygen.
Where do light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place?
In the chloroplast of the cell.
How do plants use energy produced during photosynthesis?
Some energy is used for respiration, and the remaining is used by herbivores.
What are the producers in marine ecosystems?
Microalgae, dinoflagellates, diatoms, macroalgae.
Which bacteria are considered producers in aquatic ecosystems?
Rhodospirillum rubrum, Clostridium spp., and Spirulina.
What types of organisms are considered consumers in an ecosystem?
Fish, lizards, snakes, and some detritivores that eat dead plant matter.
What is mineralization in the context of biogeochemical cycles?
The return of chemical elements from living organisms to abiotic components.
Where do light independent reactions take place?
In the stroma of the chloroplast.
What gases are responsible for ozone layer depletion?
Greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, NOx, water vapors, and CFCs.
What do all the food chains in an area collectively form?
A food web.
What is a major issue associated with nuclear energy?
Nuclear wastes.
What are abiotic components in an ecosystem?
Factors like temperature, pH, and light.
What do Autotrophs do?
They produce their own food from an energy source, such as the sun, and inorganic compounds.
What is the focus of the book 'Ecology: A Bridge between Science and Society'?
The relationship between ecology and societal issues.
What is the first step in the hydrologic cycle?
Evaporation.
What happens to salts during the evaporation process in the hydrologic cycle?
Salts are left behind.
What organisms are found at the base of the energy pyramid?
Producers, which comprise the first trophic level.
What process occurs during the light-dependent reactions involving water?
Photolysis of water, resulting in the formation of NADPH2 and evolution of O2.
What role do autotrophs play in an ecosystem?
They produce organic compounds from inorganic substances.
What do large fish eat in an ecosystem?
Small fish and frogs.
What are the three major pathways through which plant or tree biomass is degraded?
Microbial decomposition, vertebrate herbivores, and wildfires.
What role do microbes, herbivores, and wildfires play in ecosystems?
They jointly contribute to the functioning of ecosystems.
Who authored 'Environmental Impact Assessment'?
Canter L.W.
What characterizes a lotic ecosystem?
Flowing water, such as rivers.
What are some examples of producers in a lotic ecosystem?
Green algae, diatoms, and mosses.
What is a Detritus Food Chain?
A food chain that derives energy from organic waste and dead matter.
What is the focus of Environmental Sciences?
The study of interactions between the environment and human activities.
What significant development occurred during the Industrial Revolution?
Several inventions and advancements in science and technology.
What are the major reservoirs of a terrestrial ecosystem?
Lithosphere and atmosphere.
How many food chains can exist in an ecosystem?
There are many food chains in an ecosystem.
What are critical physical factors in ecosystems?
Temperature, light, and hydrology (including rainfall, soil moisture, flow rates, and sea level).
What is a lentic ecosystem?
A pond ecosystem characterized by stagnant water.
What skills can be developed through project work?
Critical thinking, teamwork, research, and problem-solving skills.
Where is the least amount of energy found in an energy pyramid?
At the top of the pyramid.
What is the role of food webs in an ecosystem?
They help maintain the stability of the ecosystem.
What is fixed as glucose during the light independent reactions?
CO2.
Do most consumers in ecosystems feed on a single species?
No, most consumers have multiple food sources.
What are the products of the light independent reactions?
Glucose, NADP+, and H2O.
What is a food chain?
A transfer of energy and nutrients from one feeding group of organisms to another.
How can trophic levels be analyzed?
On an energy pyramid.
What are the two main types of ecosystems based on abiotic and biotic factors?
Terrestrial (land) and aquatic ecosystems.
What percentage of the Earth's total land is occupied by forests?
Approximately 40%.
What enzyme is used in the photosynthesis process?
Rubisco.
What type of energy is derived from detritus?
Chemical energy converted into simpler organic compounds.
What does the biosphere encompass?
All ecosystems where life exists on Earth.
What are the reactants of the light independent reactions?
CO2, NADPH, and ATP.
What are the two types of fresh water ecosystems?
Lentic ecosystem and lotic ecosystem.
What are the abiotic components of a forest ecosystem?
Inorganic substances and organic debris such as fallen leaves, seeds, and branches.
What are the distinct layers of the atmosphere?
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and ionosphere.
What role do denitrifying bacteria play in nitrogen fixation?
They can convert nitrates back to ammonia.
What are the components of detritus in a food chain?
Dead organic materials and decomposing organic matter.
What are some key components of Environmental Sciences?
Ecology, biology, geology, atmospheric sciences, and social sciences.
What organisms are considered detrivores?
Algae, fungi, bacteria, earthworms, etc.
What follows evaporation in the hydrologic cycle?
Condensation.
What is ecology?
A science that deals with the interaction and relationship of organisms or a group of organisms.
What are examples of herbivores in the estuary ecosystem?
Fish larvae, copepods, and molluscs.
What are the key components included in the definition of the environment?
Water, air, land, and their inter-relationships with humans and other living organisms.
What is an example of ecological interaction?
The interaction of tiny insects in a forest with other insects, animals, plants, soil, water, and air.
What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of free oxygen (O2)?
About 21%.
What is the primary role of phosphorus in ecosystems?
It is essential for the formation of DNA, RNA, and ATP.
What is the main focus of the video on ecosystems?
The video discusses ecology and the various ecosystems.
What is released during internal respiration?
Chemical energy in the form of ATP through oxidation.
What are the four different biochemical cycles?
Hydrological cycle, Carbon cycle, Nitrogen cycle, Phosphorous cycle.
What is a common outcome of successful project work?
A tangible product or presentation that demonstrates understanding.
What is aerobic cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration that requires oxygen.
What are Circadian Rhythms?
Physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle.
What is a trophic level?
The position occupied by an organism in a food chain.
What are some examples of environments included in the biosphere?
Deep root systems of trees, ocean trenches, rain forests, and high mountaintops.
What is the overall reaction for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O = C6H12O6 + 6O2.
What are transition zones in the biosphere?
Areas where ocean and terrestrial ecosystems meet.
What characterizes a lotic ecosystem?
Flowing water, such as rivers, springs, and streams.
What are the different zones in a forest ecosystem?
Canopy, sub-canopy, middle flora zone, ground flora zone, litter zone, and rhizosphere zone.
What is the percentage of forest cover in India?
Almost 21% of its land area.
What is the main focus of the video on ecology and ecosystems?
The video discusses the principles of ecology and the characteristics of ecosystems.
What is the process of water changing from liquid to vapor in the hydrologic cycle called?
Evaporation.
What are the cyclic movements of chemical elements in the biosphere called?
Biogeochemical cycles.
What is the nature of feeding relationships in an ecosystem?
They are complex, involving various interactions among producers, consumers, and decomposers.
How does project work contribute to environmental awareness?
By engaging students in real-world environmental issues and solutions.
What are biogeochemical cycles?
The circulation of nutrients, chemicals, and energy within an ecosystem.
How do plants and animals utilize oxygen from the atmosphere?
Through a process called respiration.
What is an example of an organism that feeds on both herbivores and detritus?
The earthworm.
Which bacteria can degrade aromatic and aliphatic compounds?
Bacteria such as Pseudomonas spp., Achromobacter, Acinetobacter, and others.
How does Ayurveda relate to recycling?
It continues the practice of utilizing natural resources, similar to recycling.
What types of resources can be used for environmental studies?
Books, internet resources, environmental reports, research papers, and news items.
What are physico-chemical properties?
Intrinsic physical and chemical characteristics of a substance, including appearance, boiling point, density, volatility, water solubility, and flammability.
Why is understanding Environmental Sciences important?
To address environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.
From where else does water evaporate besides oceans?
Fresh water bodies, land, and plants.
What is the purpose of nutrient cycles?
To ensure that nutrients are repeatedly used.
What are abiotic components in ecosystems?
Non-living factors such as solar energy and inorganic substances.
What role do saprotrophs play in ecosystems?
They act as decomposers, breaking down organic matter.
What are biotic components?
Living organisms present in food chains.
What major technological advancements have occurred since the agricultural revolution?
The industrial revolution, leading to the space and computer age.
What is the purpose of project work in an educational context?
To apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations and enhance learning.
What is the primary function of a food chain?
Transfer of energy through eating and being eaten.
What is the process of water soaking into the ground called?
Infiltration.
What defines an ecosystem?
Living things in a given area, along with non-living chemical and physical factors, linked through nutrient cycles and energy flow.
What is each step in a food chain called?
A trophic level.
What organisms constitute the third trophic level?
Secondary consumers.
What percentage of the total evaluation is the Mid Term Examination?
20%.
What is the primary gas involved in the oxygen cycle?
Oxygen (O2).
What do biogeochemical cycles refer to?
The movements of chemical elements between organisms and the environment.
How does phosphorus primarily enter the soil?
Through weathering of rocks and minerals.
What role do organic compounds play in ecosystems?
They form a link between biotic and abiotic components.
What is another name for internal respiration?
Cellular respiration.
Which cycles are examples of biogeochemical cycles?
Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Sulfur (S), and Phosphorus (P) cycles.
What factors can affect photoactivation of chemicals?
Temperature and weather conditions.
What process do autotrophic organisms use to produce food and energy?
Photosynthesis.
Why is understanding ecology important?
Understanding ecology helps us comprehend the relationships between organisms and their environments, which is crucial for conservation efforts.
What is the environmental value of a tree?
The environmental value includes carbon sequestration, habitat for wildlife, and improving air quality.
What types of plants are dominant in desert regions?
Cactus type plants, shrubs, herbs, and bushes.
How are ecosystems further subdivided?
Based on variations in habitat and climate.
What is the most important element for life?
Oxygen.
What role do ecosystems play in Environmental Sciences?
They provide essential services and resources for human survival.
What do food chains illustrate?
Where energy is transferred, not who eats whom.
What role do bacteria and fungi play in nutrient cycling?
They decompose dead bodies and waste produced by living animals and insects.
What is the lithosphere?
The solid part of the Earth's crust, including minerals, soil, and rock.
Which inorganic substances tend to cycle through ecosystems?
Substances like sulfur and boron.
What is the process of water vapor turning back into liquid called in the hydrologic cycle?
Condensation.
What are examples of carnivores in the estuary ecosystem?
Bombay duck, large fish, and cod fish.
What do some carnivores feed on besides living prey?
Dead organic material.
How much do Assignments contribute to the overall evaluation?
15%.
What should be critiqued in sustainable development practices?
The effectiveness and impact of these practices on the environment and society.
What are organic molecules converted into during respiration?
Energy in the form of ATP.
What does the biosphere include?
Air, land, water, and rock within which life occurs.
What technologies have emerged alongside the industrial and agricultural revolutions?
AI and Space Technology.
What gas do animals exhale that is part of the oxygen cycle?
Carbon dioxide (CO2).
What happens to some of the energy during respiration?
Some is used, and some is lost as heat.
What are some potential harmful effects of solar radiation?
It can have harmful effects on some species.
What percentage of land in India is covered by desert ecosystems?
12%.
Can you name some examples of autotrophs?
Cyanadon spp., Pos spp., Brachiaria spp., Dactyloctinium spp.
What is the current phase of industrial development referred to?
Industry 4.0/5th period.
Why is the environment important?
It provides essential resources and services that support life and human activities.
What are some infrequent events that can reshape ecological systems?
Fires, floods, and storms.
What is unique about the phosphorus cycle compared to other biogeochemical cycles?
It does not have a gaseous state.
What does the Environment Protection Act 1986 emphasize about the environment?
The inter-relationships among water, air, land, and living organisms.
What factors do organisms interact with in an ecosystem?
Other organisms, plants, soil, water, and air.
What does the environment encompass?
The total of our surroundings, including living and nonliving things.
What is the largest volume of the Earth's interior?
The mantle.
What is one of the primary functions of ecosystems?
Energy flow.
What are the two categories of aquatic ecosystems?
Marine and Freshwater.
Why is it important to control certain activities affecting the environment?
To make life sustainable on Earth.
How do plants utilize soil phosphate (PO4)?
They absorb it and incorporate it into nucleic acids, phospholipids, and ATP.
What is the economic value of a tree?
The economic value includes timber production, fruit, and other resources that can be sold.
What are examples of organic compounds in ecosystems?
Proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
How can individuals incorporate environmental implications into decision making?
By analyzing the environmental impact of their choices and prioritizing sustainability.
What is the carbon cycle?
The process by which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms.
Can you name some primary consumers?
Ants, flies, grasshoppers, deer, Asian antelope (Nilgai), mongoose, and bats.
How do plants absorb phosphorus?
In the form of inorganic phosphate from the soil.
What characterizes a forest ecosystem?
A predominance of trees interspersed with various species of herbs, shrubs, climbers, lichens, algae, and a wide variety of wild animals and birds.
What is the rainfall pattern in grassland ecosystems?
Rainfall is average but erratic.
What is the significance of natural resource management?
It ensures the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources for future generations.
What are autotrophs?
Organisms that produce their food through photosynthesis.
What are heterotrophs?
Organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms.
What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by grassland ecosystems?
Approximately 20-40%.
What are the main abiotic components in an ecosystem?
Nutrients from earth and environment.
What are examples of living things in the environment?
Animals, plants, forests, fungi, viruses, etc.
How does the detritus food chain relate to the grazing food chain?
They may inter-link in a complex manner.
What are ecosystems?
Ecosystems are communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
What are the grave impacts mentioned that challenge human survival?
Activities that negatively affect the environment.
How can maintaining water bodies contribute to ecosystem preservation?
By keeping rivers and lakes clean and healthy.
When did mobile phones become commercially available?
In 1983.
What is the overall chemical equation for the photosynthesis reaction?
6 CO2 + 12 NADPH + 10 H2O + 18 ATP => 2[C3H5O3 - (PO3)(2-)] + 4 H+ + 12 NADP+ + 18 ADP + 16 Pi.
What are the main concepts involved in the structure of an ecosystem?
Food chains and food webs.
What are some biochemical factors that affect ecological systems?
Microbial, enzymatic, and photobiological or electrobiological changes.
What is the main source of energy for food chains?
The sun, dead animals, or waste produced from living animals.
What processes are influenced by the amount and timing of light?
Physical, chemical, and biological processes.
What is the final step in the hydrologic cycle?
Precipitation.
What can viewers expect to learn from the video?
Viewers can learn about the interactions within ecosystems and their importance.
Which organisms are primarily responsible for producing oxygen in the atmosphere?
Plants.
What is the predominant species among autotrophs?
Trees.
What are primary consumers?
Heterotrophs that feed on plant material, such as tree leaves.
What percentage of land on Earth do desert ecosystems occupy?
20-33%.
What is the weightage of Quizzes in the evaluation?
7%.
What are the three types of terrestrial ecosystems?
Forest, Grassland, and Desert.
What is an ecosystem according to Tansley's definition?
A self-regulating group of biotic community of species interacting with each other and with their non-living environment exchanging energy and matter.
What factors determine the classification of terrestrial ecosystems?
The presence of biotic and abiotic factors.
What is external respiration?
The process where oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled.
What factors can alter the critical chemical and physical characteristics of ecological systems?
Temperature, pH, electrochemical (redox) potential, and transparency of air and water.
What is a grazing food chain?
A food chain that starts with plants.
What are the main forms of phosphorus in the environment?
Inorganic phosphate and organic phosphorus compounds.
What are autotrophs?
Organisms that produce their own food, such as grasses and shrubs.
How does mercury enter the human food chain?
Mercury is eaten by fish, which can then be consumed by humans.
What is primary production?
The process of energy production for living things, starting with sunlight.
What percentage is allocated to Project Work based on Field Visits?
20%.
Where does respiration take place in the body?
In almost every cell.
What are secondary consumers?
Organisms that depend on herbivores for their food.
What happens to phosphorus when organisms die?
It is returned to the soil through decomposition.
What unique behavior do honey guide birds exhibit?
They take humans to beehives and eat the wax left after honey recovery.
What role do social relationships and institutions play in the environment?
They are part of the total surroundings we interact with.
What happens to dissolved phosphate (PO4) in aquatic environments?
It gets absorbed by algae and aquatic plants.
What types of consumers are included in heterotrophs?
Herbivores and carnivores.
What is the first step in the transformation of energy in an ecosystem?
The input of energy from the sun.
What is a detritus food chain?
A food chain that starts with dead organic matter.
Why must nitrogen (N2) be broken apart by organisms?
Because it is very stable and needs to be converted into a usable form.
What role do bacteria play in the carbon cycle?
They process carbon, allowing it to be recycled.
What role do herbivores play in the food chain?
They eat plants produced through photosynthesis.
What are the main processes involved in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.
What cues are often related to the reproduction and activity patterns of species?
Physical and chemical cues such as temperature, light, and salinity.
What are some factors leading to desertification?
Extreme weather conditions, less than 25 cm rainfall, high temperature, and harsh climate.
What is a lentic ecosystem?
An ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, or swamps.
What is the impact of overpopulation on ecosystems?
It affects all organisms, including humans, and can disrupt ecological balance.
In what ways do trees improve air quality?
Trees filter pollutants, produce oxygen, and reduce dust and particulate matter.
What is the energy source that drives the food chain?
The sun.
What happens to the concentration of substances at each trophic level?
The concentration keeps increasing as you move up the food chain.
How does carbon move through the food chain?
Through the consumption of one organism by another.
What is commensalism?
A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
What are some examples of producers in the ecosystem?
Seaweeds, Azolla, sea grass, algae, and mangrove forests.
What does Pi represent in the equations?
A phosphate group (PO3H).
What is the first level of the grazing food chain?
Plants.
How does carbon enter plants?
As CO2.
Why are ecosystems important?
Ecosystems are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting life on Earth.
What is released during cellular respiration?
Chemical energy in the form of ATP.
What types of plants are included in the biotic components?
Herbs, shrubs, climbers, epiphytes (e.g., orchids), and ground flora.
How do animals obtain phosphorus?
By consuming other animals and from water.
How old is the Earth estimated to be?
About 4.6 billion years.
What is ecological balance?
The maintenance and regulation of population sizes within an ecosystem.
What role do decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?
They release phosphate back into the soil by breaking down waste.
What are xerophytes?
Plants adapted to dry environments, such as cacti.
Which predators are at the top of the detritus food chain?
Hawks or eagles.
Who are the second carnivores in the grazing food chain?
Hawks, owls, foxes, etc.
Which cycle is related to phosphorous?
Phosphorous cycle.
What is the weightage of the End Semester Examination?
30%.
Which organisms are responsible for nitrogen fixation in the soil?
Free living and symbiotic microbes.
What allows organisms to survive changes in salinity?
Their ability to adapt to varying salinity levels and the presence of more nutrients.
What role do nitrifying bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?
They convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates, which plants can absorb.
Where does cellular respiration take place?
In almost every cell in the body.
What is antagonism in ecology?
An association where one organism benefits at the expense of another.
What are examples of antagonistic relationships involving humans?
Mosquitoes and pests affecting humans.
What do plants and animals release into the atmosphere during respiration?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.
What are organisms that feed on both plants and animals called?
Omnivores.
What are the main biotic components in desert ecosystems?
Desert biomass and animals.
What is the driving force of ecosystems?
The Sun.
What type of organisms are considered herbivores in the grazing food chain?
Cattle, elephants, etc.
What primarily influences Circadian Rhythms?
Light and dark.
What is the net reaction of all light-dependent reactions in oxygenic photosynthesis?
2H2O + 2NADP+ + 3ADP + 3Pi → O2 + 2 H+ + 2NADPH + 3ATP.
What is the overall reaction for bacterial anaerobic photosynthesis?
6 CO2 + 12 H2S = C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 12S.
What type of diet do humans have in relation to the ecosystem?
Humans feed on plants, animals, and fungi.
How does Eucalyptus affect other plants?
It inhibits their growth.
How does photosynthesis contribute to the carbon cycle?
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter.
What is the process by which nitrogen is converted from atmospheric nitrogen to a usable form for plants?
Nitrogen fixation.
How did ancient humans utilize plants and minerals?
As ancient medicines.
What percentage of solar energy is utilized by green plants?
About 1%.
What is the focus of the hydrological cycle?
Water.
What organs are involved in external respiration?
Gills and lungs.
What process do living green plants use to produce food?
Photosynthesis.
What are examples of nonliving things in the environment?
Oceans, clouds, soil, rocks.
Can you name some examples of omnivores?
Bears, birds, dogs, raccoons, foxes, certain insects, nightingales, and humans.
What is allelopathy in the context of Neem?
Neem inhibits pests.
What is aerobic cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration that requires oxygen.
What are some types of forests mentioned?
Deciduous, temperate coniferous forests, and temperate deciduous forests.
What type of bacteria are dependent on H2S and sulfur compounds for food?
Chemoautotrophic bacteria.
What are heterotrophs?
Organisms that consume other organisms, including herbivores and carnivores.
What role do producers play in an ecosystem?
They convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
What physical disturbances can influence species' reproductive cycles?
Periodic fires or floods.
What happens to light energy in chlorophyll-a?
It is converted into chemical energy.
What is the role of herbivores in an ecosystem?
They consume producers and transfer energy to higher trophic levels.
What environmental changes have resulted from human activities?
Climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water.
What are the reactants in the photosynthesis reaction?
6 CO2, 12 NADPH, 10 H2O, and 18 ATP.
Which organisms feed on leaf litter in the detritus food chain?
Earthworms or insects.
What life forms are created through recycling?
Life forms on Earth are created through the recycling of remains and materials.
What is the term used to describe the inter-linking food chains?
Food web.
What types of ecosystems might be covered in the video?
The video may cover various types of ecosystems, including terrestrial and aquatic.
What type of birds are secondary consumers in the detritus food chain?
Sparrows, crows, blackbirds, or vultures.
What is an estuary ecosystem?
Where a river meets the sea.
Which biochemical cycle is associated with the element carbon?
Carbon cycle.
How do autotrophic organisms contribute to energy flow in ecosystems?
They use sunlight to produce food and energy, which is then used by other trophic levels.
What are the five levels of ecosystem structure?
Producers, Herbivores, Carnivores, Detrivores, Decomposers.
What is photosynthesis?
A chemical reaction where green plants use water and carbon dioxide to store the sun’s energy in glucose.
What happens to carbohydrates during respiration?
They are converted to carbon dioxide.
How much does Interactions in class and Attendance account for in the evaluation?
8%.
What is photorespiration?
A reaction that takes place in the chlorophyll of the plant.
What does the term symbiosis describe?
Any relationship or interaction between two dissimilar organisms.
What is photorespiration?
A reaction that takes place in the chlorophyll of the plant.
What are the products of the photosynthesis reaction?
2[C3H5O3 - (PO3)(2-)], 4 H+, 12 NADP+, 18 ADP, and 16 Pi.
What type of flow occurs in the biotic community?
A one-way flow of energy.
What are prime carnivores in the grazing food chain?
Tigers, lions, snakes, etc.
What cycle involves nitrogen?
Nitrogen cycle.
What role do other trophic levels play in energy flow?
They use the energy produced by autotrophic organisms to remain alive and function.
What is the study of ecosystems called?
Ecology.
What is a lotic ecosystem?
An ecosystem that includes rivers, streams, or springs.
What is the process of nitrogen entering and exiting organisms called?
The nitrogen cycle.
What resources did our ancestors depend on for survival?
Trees, plants, sun, water, air, etc.
What role do animals play in the oxygen cycle?
They consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide.
What were early humans scared of in nature?
Vagaries of nature like lightning, rains, fires, hot waves, and storms.
What are some examples of chemoautotrophic bacteria?
Methanogens, halophiles, nitrifiers, thermoacidophiles, sulfur oxidizers.
What is another important function of ecosystems besides energy flow?
Nutrient cycling.
What does the phrase 'Necessity is the mother of invention' imply?
Inventions arise out of necessity.
Which animals are commonly found in desert environments?
Reptiles (snakes, lizards), insects, birds, and rodents (mice, squirrels).
What is the role of Nitrosomonas in the nitrogen cycle?
It converts ammonia into nitrite.
How can the transfer of food energy between organisms be tracked?
By constructing food chains, food webs, and pyramids of numbers or biomass.
What type of energy moves from plants to herbivores?
Autotrophic energy.
How do plants assimilate nitrogen?
By absorbing nitrates from the soil and using them to synthesize proteins and nucleic acids.
How do plants contribute to the oxygen cycle?
By photosynthesis, converting CO2 into O2.
What constitutes our built environment?
Buildings and human-created living centers.
How do trees contribute to carbon sequestration?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in their biomass.
Who do carnivores depend on for food?
Herbivores.
What is anaerobic cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration that occurs in the absence of oxygen.
Can you name some secondary consumers?
Foxes, snakes, and birds.
What is an abiotic component of desert ecosystems?
Sandy soil.
What are the products of the net reaction in oxygenic photosynthesis?
O2, 2 H+, 2NADPH, and 3ATP.
How do clownfish benefit from sea anemones?
They receive protection from predators through the anemone's stinging tentacles.
What role does water (H2O) play in oxygenic photosynthesis?
It is a reactant that produces oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.
What happens to temperatures in deep sea areas due to volcanic eruptions?
Temperatures are high.
What is mutualism?
An interaction that results in positive effects on reproduction and/or survival of both species.
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
They decompose organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.
What is ammonification?
The process of converting organic nitrogen from dead organisms into ammonia.
What are heterotrophs?
Organisms that consume organic matter for energy.
What has man developed in relation to nature?
Techniques to exploit nature.
What determines the specific kind of symbiosis?
Whether either or both organisms benefit from the relationship.
What role does chlorophyll-b play in photorespiration?
It absorbs light and passes it on to chlorophyll-a.
What happens to energy as it moves through successive trophic levels?
The amount of energy decreases.
How is energy stored in plants?
As glucose, which is then stored as starch.
What human activities can disrupt the phosphorus cycle?
Fertilizer application and wastewater discharge.
What type of relationship is exemplified by honey guide birds and humans?
Commensalism.
What is produced alongside glucose in bacterial anaerobic photosynthesis?
6 H2O and 12 S.
What is commensalism in biology?
A relationship where one species benefits without harming or benefiting the other.
How do trees provide habitat for wildlife?
Trees offer shelter, nesting sites, and food sources for various species.
How does combustion affect the carbon cycle?
Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
What unique ability do mangroves have?
They can tolerate salinity.
What is denitrification?
The process of converting nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen.
What do plants uptake from the soil for their growth?
Soil nitrate and nitrite.
What does the study of ecosystems help us understand?
The connection between organisms and their abiotic environment.
What is the nitrogen cycle?
The process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms in the environment.
How many molecules of ATP are used in the photosynthesis reaction?
18 ATP.
What are the reactants in the net reaction of oxygenic photosynthesis?
2H2O, 2NADP+, 3ADP, and 3Pi.
What are the reactants in the balanced equation for bacterial anaerobic photosynthesis?
6 CO2 and 12 H2S.
What process removes carbon from the abiotic environment?
Photosynthesis.
What abiotic component is mentioned that affects organisms?
Change in salinity.
What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
They recycle nutrients by breaking down energy contained within producers and consumers.
What is the sequence of the food chain provided?
Grass → Caterpillar or Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk.
What is the role of ATP in the reaction?
ATP is converted to ADP and Pi during the process.
What is the function of detritivores in an ecosystem?
They break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients.
What is the relationship between E. coli and humans?
It can be mutualistic or commensalism, or both.
What is wet and dry deposition in the context of the nitrogen cycle?
The process by which nitrogen compounds are deposited from the atmosphere to the soil.
What is an example of symbiosis involving clownfish?
The relationship between clownfish and sea anemones.
What types of consumers are found in desert ecosystems?
Heterotrophs, including herbivores and carnivores.
What role does chlorophyll-b play in photosynthesis?
It absorbs light and passes it on to chlorophyll-a.
How do organisms in deep sea environments obtain food?
They depend on organic debris.
What do carnivores do in an ecosystem?
They consume herbivores or other carnivores.
Give an example of commensalism.
Orchids growing on tree branches.
What is denitrification?
The process by which nitrates are reduced to nitrogen gas (N2), returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.
What is an example of mutualism?
Coral.
What is cycled between the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem?
Nutrients.
Provide an example of antagonism.
A predator killing its prey.
What are the main processes involved in the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.
What is produced alongside glucose in the photosynthesis reaction?
4 H+ and 12 NADP+.
What types of organic molecules are involved in cellular respiration?
Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, glycerides, etc.
Why is phosphorus considered a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems?
Because its availability often limits plant growth.
What happens to the energy produced during cellular respiration?
Some is used, and some is lost as heat.
What type of organisms are at the beginning of the food chain?
Autotrophs (plants).
What is lost at each trophic level in an ecosystem?
Energy.
What role do animals play in the carbon cycle?
Animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere through respiration.
What metaphor is used to describe the Earth in relation to mankind?
Earth is like a mother to mankind.
What happens during decomposition in the carbon cycle?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
What is produced alongside ATP in the light-dependent reactions of oxygenic photosynthesis?
NADPH.
What is ammonification?
The process of converting organic nitrogen into ammonia.
What is litter fall?
The process of leaves and organic matter falling to the ground, contributing to soil nitrogen.
What are some economic benefits derived from trees beyond timber?
Economic benefits include fruits, nuts, medicinal products, and tourism.
What happens to light energy in chlorophyll-a?
It is converted into chemical energy.
What processes return carbon to the atmosphere and abiotic environment?
Cellular respiration, combustion, and erosion of limestone.
What is the role of Nitrobacter in the nitrogen cycle?
It converts nitrite into nitrate.
Can energy flow in ecosystems occur in reverse direction?
No, energy flow cannot occur in reverse direction.
What is soil ammonia?
A form of nitrogen available in the soil, produced during ammonification.
What is nitrogen fixation?
The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) by bacteria or lightning.
What is the fate of the remaining solar energy that is not used by plants?
It remains unutilized.
What is the significance of the camel in desert ecosystems?
It is predominantly present and has adaptations like fat storage in its hump.
What does NADPH convert to in the reaction?
NADP+ + H+ + 2e-.
What are soil nitrite and soil nitrate?
Forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb and utilize.
What is the significance of the reaction 6 CO2 + 18 ATP + 12 NADPH + 12H+?
It leads to the production of 2[C3H6O3 - (PO3H)] + 18 ADP + 16 Pi + 12 NADP+ + 6 H2O.
How has natural selection influenced organisms in relation to energy extraction?
It has favored organisms that efficiently extract energy and nutrients from their environment.
