Topics in Biology
Tropical savanna explained with its characteristics Ecological pyramid explained with its importance and limitations Hindbrain: Medulla Oblongata and its features Food web explained with examples Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, First Term Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, 2nd Term Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, 3rd Term Male accessory sex organs: Seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands Scrotum and its contents: Testicles Brain: Introduction to the human brain Forebrain: Lobes of the cerebrum and their functions Cerebellum: Parts and functions of the cerebellum Midbrain: Division and functions of the midbrain Negative feedback mechanism in homeostasis Arterial disorders explained with their causes Types of desert and their characteristics Characteristics of tropical rainforest Swamp forest: What are swamp forests? Characteristics of swamp forests Savanna biome: Concept of the savannaAcademic Questions in Biology
In a food chain, the primary consumers are classified under trophic level _____.
A. Zero
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
E. Four
F. Five
Cold blooded animals are referred to as _____.
A. Homeotherms
B. Endotherms
C. Poilokitherms
D. Ectotherms
E. Thermotherms
F. None of the above
All reptiles are vertebrates.
A. True
B. False
_____ cells are responsible for the formation of osteoblasts.
_____ is a bone that constitute the axial skeleton.
Which of the following is false concerning cartilages and bones?
A diagram showing the movement of energy through a food chain is called a _____.
Which of the following is NOT a part of the wrist bones (or carpal bones)?
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The biome savanna (also spelt as savannah) is often referred to as a grassland because of its abundance of grasses. Trees are widely spaced and relatively scarce in the savanna.
Please read on the concept of a biome here.
As an instance, you may have watched the animal documentary program on television. If this is the case, then you may be presented with a biome, let’s say savanna.
You can read on tropical rainforest biome and its importance here.
Within the savanna, you will see grasses, zebras, hyenas, lions, birds, insects and other organisms interacting with one another. Together, they form the savanna ecosystem. This is shown in the image below:
Please read on an introduction to the ecosystem here.
The savanna makes up about 20% of the lithosphere. You can imagine the lithosphere to be the solid part of the earth. Other parts of the earth are:
An important question to ask concerning the savanna is: 'Why do we have grasses as the dominant plant community in the savanna'?
The answer to the above question can be referenced to the savanna climate which is quite unique to it.
During the summer (dry season) of savanna, its vegetation and animals disappears from a lack of rainfall. The grasses typically dries up during this season due to a lack of water in its soil. Also, some may also be killed from wild fires which can be very common during this dry and windy season. In addition, the rivers and lakes dry up giving rise to the migration and disappearance of animals from the savanna until the rains come again.
You can read on the desert biome here.
The ability to survive the wild fires of the savanna is an inherent characteristics present in the biotic community of the savanna. To this end, the grasses propagate their seeds and spores deep into the soils, birds fly away, certain insects burrow their way deep into the soil during the wild fires while other animals migrate and run for their lives.
The survival of the biotic component of the savanna ecosystem is therefore an important aspect of the savanna.
Please read more on the biotic components of an ecosystem here.
Note: The biotic community of the savanna simply refers to all the living organisms (plant and animal community) present within it.
During the periods of rainy season (which may begin around march), the plant (grasses) and animal community thrives again and the savanna environment becomes completely different from what we had in the dry season. During this time (rainy season), the grasses flourish, the river and lakes reappears and various animals return to graze on them. The grasses are able to regenerate from the harsh dry and windy season due to their nature of propagation, short life cycles and the favorable environment (from the presence of water).
In summary, the nature of savanna's climate marked by a windy dry season and wet rainy season presents the sharp contrast in its vegetation during both seasons.
You can read the explanations on various ecological concepts here.
The savanna can be put into different types based on various factors. These are:
Climatic savanna
Edaphic savanna
Derived savanna
Tropical savanna
Temperate savanna
Sudan savanna
Sahel savanna
Please read the details on types of savanna here.
Meanwhile, understand that a grassland biome is sometimes considered as the middle line or transitional biome between the rainforest and the desert biomes respectively.
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Alfred Ajibola is a Medical Biochemist, a passionate Academician with over 10 years of experience, a Versatile Writer, a Web Developer, a Cisco Certified Network Associate and a Cisco CyberOps Associate.
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Amazing facts in Biology
99% of a panda's diet is bamboo. They may eat fish or other small animals occasionally
When attacked by insects, lima beans plant will often command parasitic wasps to their defence.
When the leaves of the lima bean's leaves are eaten by insects, the plant gives off a substance that signals parasitic wasps to swam in, destroying its enemies (the leaf-eating insects) in the process
Frogs drink water through their skin
Armadillos are western mammals known for their unique armor-like shell which are bulletproof
Although zebras are known for their characteristics black and white stripes, we still have some polka-dotted zebras
Charles Darwin is a British naturalist and biologist who contributed greatly into the study of evolution. According to research, he frequently ate the animals he studied
Lungs are the only human organ that can float on water
Unlike most snakes that lay eggs, anacondas give birth to live babies
A shrimp's heart is in its head
Women have more pain receptors than men
NOTABLE POINTS IN Biology
For a thing to be considered living, it must possess all the basic characteristics of life. These include:
Movement
Respiration
Nutrition
Irritability or Sensitivity
Growth
Excretion
Reproduction
Death
Adaptation
Competition
Please read the explanations on all the basic characteristics of life here
During strenuous exercises like sprinting or running, your body may actually work in the shortage of oxygen. During this time, your body owes oxygen (called oxygen debt) and it must be replenished or repayed after the exercise is stopped. This is why you breathe excess of oxygen after you stopped the exercise.
This is the concept of anaerobic respiration
A food chain is a diagram that shows the relationship between plants and animals within a habitat on the basis of how they rely on each other for food.
Note: Habitat is a place where an organism live. It is of three types:
The term Biology originated from two Greek words. They are:
Bios: means life.
Logos: means knowledge or to study.
Biology can therefore be defined as the study of life
Anything that has life is generally considered as a living organism (or organism). All living organisms must be able to carry the following activities:
Movement
Respiration
Nutrition
Irritability or Sensitivity
Growth
Excretion
Reproduction
Death
Adaptation
Competition
The above listed points are often regarded as the basic characteristics of life. You can memorize them using the acronym -> MR. NIGER DAC.
You can read on the introduction to biology and the basic characteristics of life here
The gas used in the manufacture of food by plants is Carbon dioxide or Carbon(IV)oxide or CO2
Plants manufacture food through a process called photosynthesis.
Please read on photosynthesis here
It is noteworthy to state that plants are the only orgnisms that take away CO2 from the atmosphere
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