OUR ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER NOTES
Introduction
Environment refers to the surrounding of an organism where it thrives. It constitutes both living and
non-living things, i.e. physical, chemical and biotic factors. Here, in this chapter, we will learn about
various components of the environment, their interactions and how our activities affect the
environment.
Ecosystem
The ecosystem comprises all the biotic and abiotic factors interacting with one another in a given
area. Biotic components include all living organisms such as plants, animals, microorganisms and
humans, etc., and abiotic components include sunlight, temperature, air, wind, rainfall, soil and
minerals, etc. E.g. pond ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, etc.
Mode of Nutrition in Animals and Plants
Autotrophic and Heterotrophic are the two modes of nutrition in living organisms. Plants and some
bacteria are autotrophic as they make their own food. Animals, fungi and some bacteria are
heterotrophic as they derive their food from other organisms.
Saprophytes and Decomposers
Saprophytes feed on dead and decaying material, e.g. fungi and microorganisms. They absorb
nutrients from dead and decaying plants and animal parts. Decomposers break down the organic
matter or waste material and release nutrients into the soil. For example, bacteria, worms, slugs, and
snails. They are considered extremely important in soil biology. They break down the complex organic
matter into simpler substances that are taken up by the plants for various metabolic activities.
Abiotic Components
Non-living chemical and physical components of the environment like the soil, air, water,
temperature, etc.
Biotic Components
Living organisms of the environment like plants, animals, microbes and fungi.
Trophic Levels
It refers to the various levels in a food web as per the flow of energy. The different trophic levels are –
Producers (T1)
Primary consumers (herbivores-T2)
Secondary consumers (primary carnivores -T2)
Tertiary consumers(Sec carnivores -T3)
Quaternary consumers (Ter. carnivores T4)
Decomposers
Pyramid of Trophic Levels
Is a graphical representation.
Can be the pyramid of numbers, the pyramid of biomass or the pyramid of energy.
Start with producers.
a) Pyramid of numbers: gives the number of organisms present at each trophic level.
It can be upright or inverted.
b) Pyramid of biomass: gives the biomass of each trophic level and could be upright or inverted.
c) Pyramid of energy: is always upright as it shows the flow of energy from one trophic level to the
next trophic level.
Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; rather, it transforms from one form to another.
In biological systems, it gets passed from one organism to another across trophic levels.
Energy Flow
Transfer of energy from one trophic level to another depicting its direction and amount.
Represented by the pyramid of energy.
In any food chain, only 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to another.
Food Chain
A series of organisms, each dependent on the next as a source of food.
A food chain is a series of organisms that eat other organisms, showing the feeding relationships
between them. It includes producers (autotrophs) like plants algae, and some bacteria that produce
their own food, consumers like animals and decomposers the organisms that break down dead
organisms.
Food Web
Is formed by interconnections of different food chains.
Is a graphical representation of ‘Who eats Whom’ in an ecosystem.
A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains showing feeding
relationshiops between organisms in an ecosystem. It consist of:
Producers (plants algae,Herbivores (plant eaters),Carnivores (meat -eaters),Decomposers
(bacteria fungi)
Characteristics of Ecosystem
Includes the summary of trophic levels.
Their energy flow and pyramids.
Environment
Includes all living and nonliving things.
Unlike ecosystems, there need not be any necessary interaction between them
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials (pollutants) into the environment. Pollution can be
due to natural causes, such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, etc. or due to human activities, such as
carbon emission, industrial runoff, etc.
Air Pollution
Introduction of pollutants, organic molecules, or other hazardous substances into the earth’s
atmosphere.
Sources:
a) Natural – forest fire, dust storms, and volcanic activity
b) Man-made – power plants, homes, industries, oil refineries, and transportation
Ozone Layer Depletion
The ozone layer protects the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. CFCs released into the
atmosphere react chemically with ozone molecules and deplete the layer.
Garbage Management
Involves all the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final
disposal.
Ensures environmental best practices are followed along with proper monitoring and
regulation.
Steps involved:
1. Segregation of waste
2. Collection
3. Transport
4. Treatment
5. Processing & Recycling
6. Disposal
Biodegradable Waste
Waste is derived from plants or animals.
Decomposed into the soil by a natural agent such as weather, water, air, heat, micro-
organisms, etc.
Bio-degradation
Decomposition of garbage or waste material by living organisms or biological processes
Biodegradation is the process by which microorganisms, enzymes and other biological agents break
down organic compounds into simpler substances, releasing nutrients back into the environment.
Types of biodegradation:
1. Aerobic biodegradation (with oxygen)
2. Anaerobic biodegradation (without oxygen)
3. Composing (controlled biodegradation)
