Alfred Ajibola
- 16th September, 2021 @ 04:23 PM
Topics in Biology
Contents of the scrotum: Epididymis, vas deferens, spermatic cord and cremaster muscle 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 forestsAcademic Questions in Biology
From the above diagram, which of the organ below isn't a requirement for the male reproductive system?
A. Bladder
B. Ureter
C. Glans Penis
D. Testis
E. Bulbourethral Gland
F. Epididymis
A walnut shaped male accessory sex organ located between the bladder and penis is the _____.
A. Ductus Ejaculatorii
B. Bulbourethral Gland
C. Prostate Gland
D. Ductus Deferens
E. Seminal Vesicles
F. Epididymis
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?
An ecological pyramid is defined as a graphical representation that shows the relationship between various organisms present in an ecosystem at their respective tropic levels.
Recall that the trophic level of an organism is the specific position which that organism occupies in a food chain or food web. These positions (trophic levels) include:
Producers (trophic level 1)
Please read on the concept of food chain here.
The ecological pyramid is always present in an ecosystem. This concept of ecological pyramid was first illustrated by Evylen Hutchinson G. and Raymond Lindeman in 1942.
As the name suggests, ecological pyramids are pyramidal (or triangular) in shape with the the base being the broadest or widest because it comprises of the producers in the ecosystem and they are always numerous in numbers. The top of this pyramid is narrowest since it comprises of the tertiary consumers which are always few in numbers.
Note: The narrowing at the top of an ecological pyramid signifies the loss of energy in what is termed 'an energy pyramid'.
Please read the introduction to an ecosystem here.
An ecological pyramid is often referred to as food pyramid, trophic pyramid, energy pyramid or Eltonian pyramid. Meanwhile, it is noteworthy to state that ecological pyramids commences at the base (broadest) and ends at the top (narrowest). This is shown in the image below:
From the above diagram, the primary consumers (grasshoppers) fed on the grasses (producers) and gained 1,000kcal of energy in the process. However, most of the consumed energy would be used for their metabolic activities like hopping, respiration, movement, reproduction and so on. Also, understand that all living organisms must lose energy in the form of heat to their surroundings. This is as a result of their metabolic activities.
Please read on the characteristics of living organisms here.
Referencing the diagram, the secondary consumers consumed the grasshoppers (primary consumers) and it was only able to get 10kcal of energy. This is so because the grasshoppers had already lost some energy in the form of heat to it's surroundings.
Similarly, the secondary consumers will also use some of the consumed energy (10kcal) for it’s metabolic activities, thus losing some energy in the form of heat to the surroundings.
Finally, the tertiary consumer consumed the secondary consumers and was able to get 1kcal of energy. This is because the secondary consumers had already lost 9kcal of energy in the form of heat to its surroundings.
Note: As a student, you should be able to state the 2nd law of thermodynamics since it has everything to do with energy transformation and loss of heat to the surroundings.
The 2nd law of Thermodynamics, with regards to food chain states thus:
In the course of energy transformation or transfer, some energy is lost in the form of heat to the surroundings.
We have three types of ecological pyramids. These are:
Pyramid of energy
Pyramid of biomass
Pyramid of numbers
It presents the feeding pattern of different organisms in various ecosystems.
It gives us more detail on energy transfer within the trophic levels in an ecosystem.
It shows us the efficiency of energy transfer in the ecosystem, although some of these are lost as heat to the surroundings.
When monitored appropriately, it can be used as a tool to preserve the ecosystem.
You can read on various ecological terms and concepts here.
Ecological pyramids has shown to serve as a useful metric in an ecosystem. However, it does not give us information about certain patterns occuring in the ecosystem. Below are some of it's limitations:
Typically, the saprophytes or decomposers aren't considered into any trophic level in the pyramid even though they make up a large number in the food chain.
Ecological pyramids take no account of food web due to their complexities.
Please read more on food web here.
Same specie of organisms cannot exist at different trophic levels in a food pyramid.
It does not give an accurate account of ongoing activities in the ecosystem in relation to seasonal variations.
They are only applicable to food chains.
Kindly share this article via the links below:
Click here to read on Len Academy Smart School Software. Contact Len Academy for a standard website at an affordable price
Please click here to follow Len Academy on Google News.
Please like and follow our official facebook page here for great educational write-ups.
You can follow Len Academy on twitter here.Thank you.
Please Register here or Login here to contribute to this topic by commenting in the box below.
Amazing facts in Biology
Pufferfish contain a toxin called tetrodotoxin. This makes them foul tasting and poisonous to predators. Tetrodotoxin is about 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide, and there is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans. Unfortunately, there isn't any known antidote to this poison.
Interestingly, a delicacy in Japan (called fugu) is made from pufferfish. This meal is very expensive, and must be prepared by trained and licensed chefs. An improper preparation of fugu may lead to the customer's death. Sadly, such deaths are recorded annually
Wombats are the only animal with a cube-shaped poo. They can stack up these cube-shaped poo, marking their territory with it
Robert Wadlow (1918–1940) remains the tallest man ever recorded in the Guinness World Records. He was an American who stood at 8 feet, 11 inches.
An abnormally enlarged pituitary gland had resulted into Robert Wadlow's giant size.
Cockroach is the fastest land animal on six legs
Like humans, all apes laugh when tickled
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain
The upper front teeth are missing in giraffes. Meanwhile, like an adult human, a fully grown giraffe has 32 teeth but most are positioned at the back of their mouth
Slugs have four noses
Most insects hatch from egg but aphids give birth to their young alive
Bats aren't birds, rather, they are mammals. Infact, they are the second largest order of mammals after rodents. We have over 1,400 species of bat. Globally, they make up about 20% of all classified mammal species
NOTABLE POINTS IN Biology
An artery is composed of three layers:
The outermost layer is termed tunica adventitia (or tunica external). It consist mainly of collagen fibres and connective tissues that anchors the arteries to other nearby tissues.
The middle layer is named tunica media. It is made up of smooth muscles and elastic fibres that supports the artery in conveying blood at high pressures.
The inner layer is called tunica intima (or tunica internal). It is lined by a smooth tissue called endothelium, and is made up of a fine network of connective tissues.
All living organisms possess various features in order to survive in their environment. This is the concept of adaptation. As an instance, a fish is able to live in water because it has gills and fins.
Also, a camel is able to survive in the desert because it has large feet to aid walking on sand without sinking. It also has long eyelashes to help protect it from the blowing sand and wind.
Plants are also able to live in different habitats because they have the required adaptive features towards that habitat. For instance:
Plants that live in/on water are termed hydrophytes.
Plants that live on land with moderate amount of water are termed mesophytes.
Plants that live on deserts or arid lands are termed xerophytes.
The point is:
All organisms have various features on them that enables them adapt in their habitat
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:
Len Academy