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4.2.1 Prey-predator
4.2.2 Symbiosis
The relationship between two species of organisms that live closely together and interact
with each other
One organism always benefits by receiving food, a place to stay and shelter. The other
organism may benefit, be at a disadvantage or is not affected.
There are 3 types of symbiosis
Commensalism
Mutualism
Parasitism
Commensalism
Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms in which one organism (the
commensal) benefits from the other (the host) without damaging the host.
Examples of plants that live on trees to obtain sunlight are: the money plant, the
staghorn fern, the pigeon orchid and the birds nest fern. Though they take tree trunk
as a home, they do not harm the tree.
pg. 2
Examples of animals that live on other animals to obtain food (that fall out of the
host's mouth), as well as for shelter and transport are
(a) Barnacles that live on the shells of crabs, cockles or snails
(b) Remora fish (commensal) that is often found attached under a shark. It feeds on
the scraps of food left by shark without harming the shark.
Mutualism
Mutualism is an interaction between two different organisms that live together in
which both organisms benefit. It can be between two animals, two plants or one
animals and one plant. They obtain nutrition and shelter from each other.
Examples:
Sea anemone and hermit crab
(i) The sea anemone has tentacles that can sting, and protects the hermit crab
with them.
(ii) The sea anemone obtains transport and food ( food bits that drop ) from the
hermit crab.
Ox peckers and buffaloes
Ox peckers eat the ticks and leeches that feed on buffaloes.
The Egyption Plover bird and crocodiles
The Egyption Plover bird eats leeches as well as food particles stuck between the
crocodile's teeth.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and leguminous plants
(i) Rhizobium bacteria live in the root nodules of leguminous plants. They
convert the nitrogen in the air and change it to nitrates for the use of the plants.
(ii) These bacteria obtain food and shelter from the leguminous plants.
Green algae and fungus
(i) The algae provide the fungus with food.
(ii) The fungus protects the algae and release carbon dioxide for the algae to
use during photosynthesis.
Symbiotic bacteria and herbivorous animals
(i) Symbiotic bacteria live in the digestive tract of herbivorous animals and help
in the digestion of cellulose.
(ii) The bacteria obtain food and shelter from the host.
Parasitism
Parasitism is another type of interaction between two organisms.
Only one organism benefits (parasite). The others organism is harmed or even
killed (host).
Examples:
Tapeworm is a parasite that obtains food and shelter from human. Human as a
host are harmed by losing nutrients, resulted loses weight and becomes weak.
Tick that live on a host feeds on the hosts blood
Stem borers and oil palm leaves
Tree barnacles and trees
Aphids and mustard plants
Mistletoe and a tree
A parasite may live outside the body (ectoparasite) or inside the body (endoparasite)
of other living organisms (host).
pg. 3
4.2.3 Competition
Happens when organisms living in the same habitat compete for the same basic needs.
Animals compete to obtain food, water, breeding mate for reproduction and shelter.
Plants compete to obtain water, sunlight, minerals salts and living space.
Competition becomes more intense when basic resources are limited.
Stronger organisms are success, while weaker and smaller organisms are driven out.
2 types of competition are intraspecific competition and interspecific competition
Intraspecific competition is the competition between living organisms of the same
species for the same resources in an ecosystem.
Male deer compete for a mating partner
A pride of lions compete for food
Interspecific competition is the competition between living organisms of different species
for a limit resource in the same area.
Flowering plants compete with weeds to obtain water and minerals.
Plants in a tropical rainforest compete for basic needs. Taller trees obtain sunlight
more easily
Types of Interactions
Prey-predator
Symbiosis
Mutualism
Commensalism
Competition
Intraspecific
competition
Interspecific
competition
Parasitism
4.2.4 Importance of Interaction between Living Organisms and the
Environment
Interactions between living organisms and the environment are important because they
create a balanced ecosystem by maintaining the size of populations in it.
When a population of living organisms grows too large, the living organisms of the same
species will compete with each other for their basic needs.
The living organisms which are stronger able to adapt to the changes in the environment
will survive whereas the weaker ones will die. This reduces the size of the population.
For example:
Owls and snakes are used to control the rat population in oil palm plantations
Guppy fish are reared in ponds to control the population of mosquito larvae
Ducks are used to control snail and weed populations in paddy fields
Ladybugs are used to control the aphid population in fruit orchards
A Trichogramma wasp is laying its eggs in the eggs of a moth. The growing larvae of
Trichogramma wasp feed on the moths caterpillar and kill it. Caterpillars are pests
that destroy fruits leaves.
Advantages of biological control
Does not pollute the environment
Does not affect or kill other organism because the predator feeds on specific prey
Cost-effective over the long term (cheap and safe)
Does not affect the health of human
Disadvantages of biological control
The results are not instant. It takes time.
The introduction of new species may upset the balance of an ecosystem
Some predators attack the other organisms
The population of predators increases
Not every pest has its predator that can control it. Chemical control is often needed.
Biological control has its advantages and disadvantages. The implementation of
biological control should be planned and monitored closely to ensure that its
effectiveness is sustained.
pg. 5
pg. 6
pg. 7
The increase or decrease in the number of organisms will affect the equilibrium of the
ecosystem.
It would take a long time for the ecosystem to become balanced again.
pg. 8
4.4 Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a process by which the chlorophyll in green plants absorbs light
energy to make food from carbon dioxide and water.
Light comes from the Sun or other light source
Water is absorbed from the soil by the roots
Carbon dioxide enters the leaves through the stomata (small pores on the leaves)
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in the leaves that absorbs light energy.
Products of photosynthesis:
Glucose converted into starch and stored in other parts of the plant
Oxygen released into the air
The glucose produced is brought to other parts of the plant to be
(a) Oxidised through the process of respiration to provide energy.
(b) Stored as starch, if in excess.
pg. 12
Activity
Deforestation
Effects
When trees are cut down and forest are cleared,
- the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increase,
cause greenhouse effect and global warming
- natural habitats are destroyed causing animals and plants become
extinct
- soil erosion occurs
- depletion of water catchment areas causes flash flood
Agriculture
When farming is carried out intensively without practising
conservation,
- soil erosion and depletion of minerals in the soil can occur
- excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides cause water and soil
pollution
Overfishing &
- Extinction of animals
overhunting
- Decline in biological diversity
Industrialisation - Air pollution and acid rain due to releasing smoke, haze and acidic
gases into the atmosphere
- Water and soil pollution due to releasing of excessive toxic
chemicals into the environment
Poor waste
- Rivers and lakes are often used as rubbish dumpsites
management
- Decaying matter gives out bad smells and attract pests
- Causes soil, water and air pollution
If we continue to exploit and destroy nature, there will be no more fresh air, fresh water,
food and suitable place to live.
Therefore, human activities must not result in any permanent damage to wildlife, habitats
and natural resources.
We need a stable, productive and balanced ecosystem so that we
Get enough food and water for our daily needs
Live healthily and fight against diseases
Continue to conserve and preserve other living organisms and natural resources on
the Earth
pg. 13