What is Bioaccumulation? Definitions of Bioaccumulation Bioaccumulation (increase in chemical concentration) is the process of chemical accumulation in an organism over time. Bioaccumulation, as defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, is the accumulation of a chemical in an organism due to direct uptake from the environmental matrix (bioconcentration) and uptake from … Read more
What is Soil? Soil Properties Distribution of soil layers Importance of Soil Soil Forming Factors Climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time are the five major factors that influence the formation of soil. One may say that the local soil environment is determined by the relief, climate, and organisms, which work together to induce weathering … Read more
What are Soil Microorganisms or Soil Microflora? The term “soil microflora” is used to describe the community of microorganisms that make up most of the soil’s organic matter and a smaller, colloidal amount of humus. What is Soil Microfauna? What is Soil Microflora? What is Soil Microbiology? Factors Affecting Microbial Community in Soil Like higher … Read more
Rhizosphere Definition Rhizosphere effect Definition Structure of Rhizosphere Based on their proximity to the root system, the rhizosphere structure consists of three zones. Characteristics of Rhizosphere Effects of rhizosphere microbial populations on Plants Degradation of organic materials, disease suppression, and nutrient conversions within root zones are just a few of the many chemical changes that … Read more
What is Mutualism? Mutualism is simply a partnership between two animals that benefits both. This link may exist either inside the species or between species. The organisms involved in this connection are known as symbionts. All living species, including humans, animals, birds, plants, and microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, exhibit interdependence. Mutualism resembles … Read more
What is Commensalism? Along with mutualism, the term was coined in 1876 by Belgian palaeontologist and naturalist Pierre-Joseph van Beneden. Beneden first used the term to describe the behaviour of carrion-eating animals that followed predators in order to consume their leftover meal. The term commensalism is derived from the Latin word commensalis, which meaning “table … Read more
What is Predation? – Predation Definition Characteristics of Predators 1. Physical adaptations 2. Diet and behaviour 3. Camouflage and mimicry 4. Venom 5. Electric fields 6. Physiology Types of Predators Predation comes in four main forms: 1. Carnivory Example of Carnivorous Predation 2. Herbivory Example of Herbivorous Predation 3. Parasitism Examples of Parasitic Predation 4. … Read more
What is a Producer? Types of Producers Phototrophs and chemotrophs are the two most common forms of primary producers. Phototrophs Word origin: photo– (light) + troph (nourishment) On occasion, the terms’secondary producers’ and ‘tertiary producers’ are employed. Animals that devour plants are secondary producers because they “generate” biomass for their predators. Likewise, carnivores that are … Read more
What is Consumer? Consumer is a category that belongs inside an ecosystem’s food chain. It primarily refers to animals. Consumers cannot generate their own energy and must rely on the intake and digestion of producers, other consumers, or both in order to survive. Types of consumer 1. Primary consumers Examples of Primary consumers 2. Secondary … Read more
What are Decomposers? Definition of Decomposers Decomposers are organisms that break down dead or decaying organic matter into simpler substances, facilitating nutrient recycling in ecosystems. Common examples include fungi and bacteria. Types of decomposers Decomposers play a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients within ecosystems. These organisms specialize in breaking down dead organic … Read more
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