All animals, as long as they are living, need to eat food. There is a permanent order among animals, depending on what they are built to consume, that decides how food gets eaten. In this permanent order, there is a flow of energy and materials from one organism to the next. The scenario of who…
Tag: Biology
Living Organisms and the Environment Terminology
Ecology The study of living organisms in their environment. Ecosystem A community of living organisms sharing an environment. Abiotic Factors Non-living conditions which can influence where plants and animals live. Biotic Factors These are the living parts of the human system–the animals, plants and microorganisms. Niche All the interactions of a species with the other…
Unspecialised Plant and Animal Cells and Microbes
For a images and a listing of the unspecialised plant and animal cell structures see this post. Microbes The microbes to be discussed here include: viruses, bacteria and fungi. Viruses Viruses are parasites that need a host cell to survive. As a result, they are considered non-living because when outside of a cell they are…
Appropriate Sampling Methods for an Ecological Study
When investigations into specific habitats need to occur for whatever reason, be it analysis of species present or the viability of the habitat under certain conditions, sampling becomes essential. It would be a tedious process to count every animal in the habitat in addition to gathering other information such as different sizes and colours of…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Movement and Reproduction
Movement Movement is one of the characteristic features of living organisms; it is defined as the change in place or position by the entire body or by one of its parts. There are two types of movement in animals: muscular and non muscular. Muscles and bones work together in the body for movement to occur.…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Growth and Irritability
Despite the fact that these two characteristics are combined in one post they are absolutely different from each other and are considered separately below. Growth This is defined as the irreversible increase in the dry mass of an organism. It is brought about by an increase in cell size or number. Growth results in organisms…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Excretion
In the most simple terms, excretion is the process by which the body eliminates waste. We know based on the previous post on respiration, that carbon dioxide is released from the lungs on expiration. However carbon dioxide is not the only waste product that needs to be eliminated from the body. The unwanted remnants of…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Respiration
Respiration is the process by which energy is released from glucose for use in the body. This process can be aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic Respiration This type of respiration requires oxygen. So in essence energy is released from glucose with the use of oxygen. The equation can be summarised below: We obtain glucose from the…
Characteristics of Living Organisms: Nutrition
Nutrition is the process by which we take food into our bodies and use it as raw materials for growth, fuel for energy, and vitamins and minerals that keep your body healthy and functioning properly. It is a delicate balance between what we ingest and our body’s metabolic demands. Nutrients are the molecules in…