Components of ecosystem, Biology

Assignment Help:

An ecosystem consists of two types of components:

(a)   Abiotic components:

This includes the non-living components of the ecosystem. These are physical and chemical factors.

1.             Physical factors include: Sunlight, shade, wind, humidity, rain, types of soil and its pH.

2.           Chemical factors:

                  (i)            Inorganic substances:  includes C, H, O, N, P, S, and H2O etc involved in material cycle.

                  (ii)           Organic substances: includes carbohydrates, proteins, lipids etc present in biomass.

(b)   Biotic Components:

All the organisms are part of biotic components. They are grouped into three categories:

(1)   Produce (2) Consumers (3) Decomposers.

 

(1)   Producers:

All the green plants of an ecosystem are collectively known as producers. The green plant have chlorophyll by which they trap solar energy  and convert it into carbohydrate by using CO2 and H2O .this process is known as photosynthesis. So, green plants are called autotrophs (auto-self: troph-food) as they prepare their own food. No ecosystem can survive without green plants.

(2)   Consumers:

        They are known as heterotrophs (hetero- other, trophs-food) as they are directly or indirectly depend upon producers for their food. They are categorized as follows:

(i)           Primary Consumers or Herbivores:  they are first order consumers because they depend upon green plants or producers for their food eg. Cow, goat, rabbit, deer.

(ii)         Secondary Consumers: they are also known as primary carnivores because they depend upon primary consumers for their food.eg. Fox, cat, frog.

(iii)       Tertiary Consumers:  they are also known as secondary carnivores because they depend upon secondary consumers for their food eg. Owl, peacock wolves etc.

(iv)        Quaternary Consumers: they are top carnivores which depend upon tertiary consumes for their food and not eaten by any other animals eg lion, tiger, crocodile etc.

 

(3)   Decomposers:

They are small microscopic (fungi, bacteria) organisms and occur everywhere in ecosystem i.e. and, air and water. They decompose dead organic matter into simpler compounds. They are also known as saprophytes.

The producers form first trophic level of food chain, herbivores form the second trophic level and carnivores form third trophic level.


Related Discussions:- Components of ecosystem

Name the system that contains three neurons, Name the system that contains ...

Name the system that contains three neurons Consider a system that contains three neurons in a culture dish bathed in normal physiological saline.  All three neurons are health

How can triglycerides be decreased, Q. How can triglycerides be decreased? ...

Q. How can triglycerides be decreased? Triglycerides could be decreased by: - limiting foods high in fats - decreasing sugar and sugar containing foods (carbonated bevera

Explain the cell cycle in details, Explain the cell cycle in details? M...

Explain the cell cycle in details? Most cells of higher organisms follow a cyclic pattern of division. The bulk of the cycle consists of the stage known as interphase, the peri

Explain the absorption, Explain the Absorption, Storage and Elimination of ...

Explain the Absorption, Storage and Elimination of thiamin? After a meal, thiamin is found in the intestine in the free form. Its absorption involves two mechanisms- both acti

Antimicrobial barriers - proliferation of microorganisms, Q. Antimicrobial...

Q. Antimicrobial Barriers -  proliferation of microorganisms? The first barrier is the integument: a physical barrier to protect the food, e.g., the shell on eggs, the skin on

In the metagenesis of obelia and aurelia, Q. In the metagenesis of Obelia a...

Q. In the metagenesis of Obelia and Aurelia what is the form that produces gametes? What is the form that reproduces asexually? In the metagenesis of some coelenterates, like O

An insect collecting net, An insect collecting net A useful insect net ...

An insect collecting net A useful insect net can be made from a round stick such as a broom or mop handle, some heavy wire and mosquito netting or cheese cloth. Bend a heavy pi

Endosperm, 1. What are the examples of helobial endosperm

1. What are the examples of helobial endosperm

Define osmotic pressure - properties of solutions, Explain Osmotic Pressure...

Explain Osmotic Pressure Osmosis, as you may already know, refers to the flow of solvent into a solution, or from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated solution, when t

Explain counter stain - ziehl-neelsen method, Explain Counter Stain - Ziehl...

Explain Counter Stain - Ziehl-Neelsen Method? Methylene blue is used to stain previously decolourized cells. All non acid-fast bacteria de-stained by acid alcohol now absorbs c

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd