Natural world around us shows amazing diversity of forms and complexity of relations. To understand these, we have to study levels of organization in the living world viz. macromolecules, cells, tissues, organs, individual organism, population, communities, ecosystems and biomes.
The main characteristics of a population encompass population size, population density, natality, mortality, sex ratio, immigration, emigration, age distribution, age pyramids, expanding population, population growth forms, and biotic potential. 1) Population Density: This metric reveals the number of individuals within a population per unit space at a specific time, highlighting the spatial concentration of the … Read more
1. In any species, populations inherently face constraints on resources, fostering competition among individuals for survival and reproduction. The success in these endeavors determines the fitness of organisms. 2. Habitats possess a threshold of resource availability, allowing for the maximum sustainable population. However, growth beyond a certain limit becomes unattainable. 3. This limiting factor is … Read more
Population: A population is a collection of organisms of the same species capable of interbreeding, coexisting in a specific geographic region, and sharing or competing for comparable resources. Community: A community is formed by various populations of different species coexisting in a specific area. It results from the interaction and interdependence among diverse organisms within … Read more
Behavioral adaptions in animal Certain animals exhibit behavioral responses to cope with environmental variations. For instance, desert lizards maintain a relatively constant body temperature through adaptive behaviors. They bask in the sun to absorb heat when their temperature drops, and seek shade as ambient temperatures rise. Similarly, snakes engage in basking during winter months. These … Read more
Adaption of plants to water scarcity 1. Desert plants exhibit a thick cuticle on their leaf surfaces, providing a protective barrier to minimize water loss. 2. The stomata of these plants are sunken into deep pits, a adaptation that helps reduce water loss through transpiration. 3. Specialized in Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), desert plants utilize … Read more
Adaption of desert animals 1. Xerocoles, adept desert dwellers, exhibit adaptations for water conservation and heat tolerance, often obtaining moisture from succulent plants without frequent water intake. 2. Examples like Gazella and Oryx showcase low basal metabolic rates, relying on specialized mechanisms for survival, such as concentrated urine and dry dung production. 3. Numerous hot … Read more
Parasitism In a parasitic relationship, one organism gains benefits at the expense of the other, which experiences harm. The parasite relies on a host for survival, but if the host is excessively exploited, the parasite also perishes. Mutualism Mutualism describes a symbiotic relationship in which organisms from different species mutually benefit from each other. Both … Read more
Ectotherms Ectotherms lack the capacity to internally produce heat in their bodies. Ectotherms rely on external sources, such as sunlight, to regulate their body temperature. Endotherms Endothermic organisms have the capacity to internally produce their own body heat. Endothermic organisms generate heat internally and do not rely on external sources for warmth.
Hibernation Hibernation is a state of winter dormancy observed in certain warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals. Throughout the entire winter. Aestivation Aestivation refers to the summer dormancy observed in cold-blooded animals. Animals seek out a damp, shaded, and cool spot for resting.
1. Orchids, as epiphytes, rely on mango trees for support without causing any harm to them. 2. The mango tree, despite providing support, does not receive any benefits from this association with the orchid. 3. The interaction between the orchid and mango tree is characterized as commensalism, where one species benefits (orchid) while the other … Read more