Alfred Ajibola
- 01st August, 2025 @ 11:53 AM
Topics in Biology
Terms in Heredity and Genetics explained Heredity and Genetics in Biology Stages of Ecological Succession explained with their Characteristics Ecological Succession: Types of Ecological Succession Botanical classification of plants Characteristics of dicots Characteristics of monocots Differences between lions and tigers Cellular respiration in biology Len Academy biology mock questions for waec Len Academy biology midterm questions for SS1, 2nd Term Characteristics of saltwater habitat Aquatic habitat explained with its types Types of habitat: Terrestrial habitat explained with examples What is habitat? Difference between plant cell and animal cell Nucleus explained with its structures Nucleus explained with its types and functions Organelles of the cell explained with their characteristics Eukaryotic cell explained with its characteristicsAcademic 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?
Ecological succession is a fascinating process in biology that describes the gradual change in the structure of ecosystems and the replacement of one community of organisms by another over a period of time, until a stable and climax community is reached.
Ecological succession is often considered a journey through nature's rebuilding process. In fact, it is nature’s way of healing and reestablishing balance in various ecosystems and environments.
Ecological succession can occur under two scenarios. Firstly, it can occur where no life and ecosystem had existed. Such environment may include sand dunes or newly formed volcanic igneous rocks. In the second scenario, ecological succession can occur in a disturbed environment where life had previously existed; for example, a farmland where wild fire had recently occured.
This article aims to elaborate on the types of succession, alongside their characteristics; thus making it engaging for students keen on understanding how ecosystems function and evolve.
Please read more on the concept of ecosystem here.
Before diving into more details, it is vital to distinguish between the two main types of succession: primary and secondary.
You can read on the desert biome here.
1. Primary Succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil is yet to exist. This can happen after events like volcanic eruptions, where lava hardens into rock, or glacial retreats, leading to the exposure of bare rock.
The conditions listed below are considered as necessary requirements for primary succession:
A surface where no life had existed.
Pioneer organisms. These are the first organisms that commences primary succession, creating and colonizing a new environment, thus consequently initiating the process of soil formation. Pioneer organisms are typically algae and fungi (collectively called lichens). They may also include plants like byrophytes, e.g mosses. Please read more on the botanical classification of plants here.
A series of communities that replaces itself over a period of time.These are termed intermediate communities, and may include organisms like ferns, shrubs, alongside a variety of terrestrial and arboreal animals.
A stable climax community consisting various species of plants and animals respectively.
The entire process may take hundreds or thousands of years achieve its climax community.
Please read on the concept of habitat in biology here.
After Mount St. Helens (situated in southwestern Washington, USA) erupted in May 18, 1980; the landscape was altered dramatically. The eruption killed 57 people, approximately 7,000 big game animals, and about 12 million fingerlings in hatcheries. It also destroyed various plant species, making it the most expensive eruption in the history of America, costing about $1 billion in damages.
The area where this eruption occured saw primary succession as the initial colonizers, such as lichens, broke down the rock into soil.
Over decades, small plants like mosses and wildflowers took root, followed by larger plants and eventually trees, transforming the landscape into a rich forest (as at 2025).
You can read on forest management and importance of forest here.
2. Secondary Succession, on the other hand, takes place in areas where a disturbance has cleared out existing communities but left the soil intact. This kind of succession can occur due to events like forest fires, floods, or human activities. In this regard, the following features are prevalent in secondary succession:
It occurs in a disturbed environment where a variety of organisms had previously existed.
Soil, which serves as a foundational support for plants is present in secondary succession.
Weeds and grasses are typically the first organisms that regrows on the disturbed environment.
Small soil organisms like insects emerges, and are are seen feeding of the weeds and surrounding soil. Also, birds are often seen inhabiting such environment. Together, these organisms may constitute a part of the intermediate community.
A stable climax community is reached over a shorter period of time (in comparison to primary succession).
Below is an example of secondary succession:
Consider a forest after a wildfire. While trees and some wildlife may be lost, the underlying soil remains fertile and ready for regrowth. Shortly after the fire, fast-growing weeds, grasses and insects appear, followed by bushes, and eventually; the forest canopy returns with towering trees, all over a span of few decades.
Please read on tropical rainforest here.
Note: Succession involves several stages, each marked by distinct community compositions. These stages include the pioneer species, intermediate stage (or intermediate community) and climax community respectively.
Please read detailed explanations on the stages of succession here.
In summary, succession is a remarkable biological process that showcases nature’s resilience and adaptability.
By grasping the concepts of primary and secondary succession along with their respective stages, students can appreciate the complexities of ecological balance and the magic of life continually unfolding in every corner of our planet.
Whether it’s a lush forest rebounding after a fire or a barren landscape transforming after a volcanic eruption, succession is a clear reminder of nature's unstoppable rhythm and inherent beauty.
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Amazing facts in Biology
Russia is home to the largest area of forest in our world with a land mass of 815 million hectares
Giant squid lives deep in the ocean and they have the largest eyes in the world
The movements of the fingers are controlled by muscles of the palms and forehands
Platypus (sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus) is an egg-laying, semiaquatic mammal found in eastern Australia. It has no stomach and as such, its food goes from the mouth through the esophagus and directly to their intestines.
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
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: