A Local Ecosystem, Patterns in Nature,Life on Earth,The Australian Biota

Topic 1: A Local Ecosystem * Compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems Organisms that live in aquatic and terrestrial have a very different apperence (morphology) and way of functioning (physiology). Terrestrial animals have support for living out of water and for transport on land. Abiotic characteristic Aquatic environment Terrestrial environment Temperature is related to latitude and altitude Less variation. Cooler with depth. Smaller bodies of water warm faster than larger ones Great variation during the day, throughout the year and with altitude and location Pressure Pressure increases greatly with depth Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude Water Rapidly available Varies and can be a major issue for organisms Dissolved ions (Na+, Cl-) Readily available, may lead to osmotic pressure May be plentiful or sparse depending on the soil Gasses that are important for photosynthesis and respiration Less available in water Plentiful. Decreases with altitude Wind, tides and currents Changes in tides and currents can decrease survival Wind can reduce the amount of water available by increasing evaporation Buoyancy is the uplift from the medium High in water Low in air Light is important for photosynthesis Availability changes with depth Usually readily available Viscosity High in water Low in air * Identify

  • Word count: 11141
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Activated sludge wastewater treatment system and method

Activated sludge wastewater treatment system and method Abstract A improved activated sludge system and method for treating wastewater containing contaminants is disclosed which offers a broad array of advantages over conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment systems, including smaller size, higher rates of operation, higher oxygen transfer efficiency, lower operating costs, and a substantially decreased level of excess sludge production. The improved activated sludge waste treatment system of the present invention has two processing tanks rather than the several tanks that are commonly found in activated sludge systems for treatment and sludge management equalizations, including anaerobic processes. The first processing tank is a contact tank which hosts a reaction which functions not merely to digest the maximum amount of contaminants, but instead to bind contaminants to the microorganisms through absorption, adsorption, precipitation, or digestion so that they can then be removed from the liquid in a solid/liquid separator. The activated sludge removed by the solid/liquid separator is then supplied to a digester tank containing a high concentration of activated sludge, where virtually complete digestion is achieved to minimize the volume of solids remaining. Activated sludge is provided from the digester tank to the contact tank to facilitate the reaction in the

  • Word count: 10287
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

"Genome" by Matt Ridley review

Semester 1 Extra Credit Genome by Matt Ridley Chapter 1 Although the beginning of life is still somewhat ambiguous to scientists, author Matt Ridley decides to begin the story of the chromosomes. The first chromosome, according to scientists, began by rearranging different chemicals out of entropy into something alive and working. It seemed to multiply instantly and did not stop until the earth went from absolutely nothing to a world of living things. Mankind, with the ability to think and understand the world, is given these abilities by chromosomes, in part. Another question we must ask is: what exists in organic life that causes life? The first answer to this question was proposed by Erasmus Darwin in 1794. He proposed, in his book, that all organic life consists of something he referred to as filaments, and these threads were the secret to life. Of course, many years later scientists continued to research this and discovered the significance of DNA in the evolution of life. Life essentially has the ability to replicate and create order. To do this, there needs to be information that allows these things to take place, which is the principal function of DNA. DNA is a filament of information that makes up a message written in a code of chemicals we know as A, C, G, and T. (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Thymine.) The interesting thing about this is that the code is

  • Word count: 9079
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Allelopathy. Open Investigation Will increasing the number of allelopathic sunflower plants effect the height growth of a non-allelopathic bean plant when the two types of plants are grown next to one another?

High Level Biology Plant Physiology Open Investigation Will increasing the number of allelopathic sunflower plants effect the height growth of a non-allelopathic bean plant when the two types of plants are grown next to one another? I. DESIGN Aspect 1 Background Information In biology, it is learnt that species competition ensures biodiversity of the ecosystems. Due to biology evolution all plants and animals have developed characteristics and techniques that will enable them to out-compete other species for nutrients, water, territory and other essential resources. Allelopathic plants compete with other plant species through "chemical warfare". A "chemical warfare" refers to the excretion of a collection of chemicals (allelopathy chemicals or allelochemicals) by the allelopathic plant to inhibit the growth on its competitors. Specifically, the height growth of plants is affected by the allelochemicals. The word allelopathy derives from two separate words - allelon which means "of each other", and pathos which means "to suffer". [1] Allelopathy plants releases different classes of chemicals such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and amino acids. Due to the mixtures of different compounds the effect of allelopathy is greater than individual compounds alone. Plant tissues may contain up to several grams per kilogram of these compounds. [10]

  • Word count: 7463
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Should Animals have the same rights as Humans? Both animals and humans exhibit behaviours in reaction to their environment. Some of this behaviour is learned and some instinctive.

Finn O Hurley Should Animals have the same rights as Humans? Throughout human history animals have had a role to play. They have been hunted for food and parts of their bodies have been used to clothe us, shelter us and provide us with tools. As human society has developed animals have been domesticated for a range of purposes from transport to farming to companionship. In modern times some people have questioned the idea that it is appropriate or civilised to utilise animals in these ways. Those with extreme views on the subject reject the idea that animals should be used for food, clothing, sport, medical research or even as pets. Such views are held for a number of reasons. One is that our long history of interacting with animals in various ways has encouraged some people to interpret their behaviour in human terms. This practice is known as anthropomorphism. Giving an animal a name is part of this process and pet shops even supply a range of items such as beds and toys that encourage pet owners to think of their animals as having human qualities. britishmuseum.org/explore/ themes/animals/animals_like_us.aspx In this report I will be considering various behaviours, whether they are unique to humans or not and the implications this has for the consideration of whether animals should have equal rights with humans. Both animals and humans exhibit behaviours in

  • Word count: 7423
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Biology independent investigation, Ecology

Contents Page Units Title page 2 Contents 3 .0.1, 1.0.2, 1.0.3 4 .1.1 5 .1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4 6 .1.5 7 .1.6 8 Bibliography 9 2.1.1, 2.1.2 0 2.1.3 1 2.2.1, 2.3.1 2 2.3.2 3 2.3.3 4 2.2.3 cont 5 2.2.3 cont 6 3.0.1 7 3.0.1 cont 8 3.0.2 9 3.0.2 cont 20 3.0.3 .01-Focus Question - Will higher concentrations of sodium fluoride reduce the dry root mass and the dry mass of Phaseolus vulgaris (green bean)? .0.2- Hypothesis - The dry mass and dry root mass of Phaseolus vulgaris will be reduced in higher concentration of sodium fluoride. .1.0.3- Theory - Sodium fluoride is a ionic compound between a single Na atom and a single F atom. This bond through a ionic bond to form Na-F. Sodium fluoride exists naturally is soil in concentrations from 0.5ppm to 1.5ppm. 8kg of sodium fluoride is lethal to a 70kg human (Unknown 2008). Technically sodium fluoride is a salt and therefore it is possible that it could affect plant growth. Ionic salts basically clog out water intake line in plant roots. It inhibits the plants ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Therefore the plant cannot before photosynthesis as effectively. Photosynthesis is vital to the production of plant energy (starch). Without this energy the plant's growth would be slower as it is vital for the production of new cells (R. Perry). Therefore if a plant is placed

  • Word count: 6530
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Lung Capacity Fitness Level

High Level Biology Human Physiology 1 Digestive or Respiratory System Open Investigation Will increasing levels of fitness enable one to have larger vital lung capacity? DESIGN Background Information Notice how short distance professional swimmers, for example, a 50m freestyle swimmer, breathe only once or twice throughout the whole course. Why is it that it is nearly impossible for normal recreational swimmer to do that? If a person's lung size cannot increase, how is it possible for professional swimmers to have such large lung capacity thereby able to hold large amount of air? The answer has to do with fitness level and exercise. Breathing comprises of two actions, inspiration and expiration. Breathing is one of the required bodily functions of human beings. Our lungs deliver oxygen breathed in (inspire) from our surrounding air into the blood inside our body, and contrary exhale (expire) carbon dioxide out of the body. When inspiration occurs, the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles contract and causes the diaphragm to move downwards, increasing the volume of the chest cavity. The intercostals muscles also causes the rib cage to expand, further increasing the volume. Contrary to inspiration, expiration causes the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to relax therefore the thoracic cavity returns to its original volume, increasing the air pressure in the lungs and

  • Word count: 6468
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Effect of Incandescent, Fluorescent and LED lights at 900 lumens on the concentration of vitamin C content in oranges and their effectiveness on metabolic efficiency

Title: The Effect of Incandescent, Fluorescent, and Led Light At 900 lumens On The Concentration of Vitamin C Present In Oranges and Their Effectiveness On Metabolic Efficiency Research Question: How do light sources LED, Incandescent and Fluorescent at the light intensity of 900 lumens affect the concentration of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) found in oranges? Personal Engagement: The most common fact and analogy people know about orange is that it is a great source of Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid. To this day, my parents would advise me to eat oranges, convinced that it will cure my flu and boost my immunity. In addition, when starting my weight loss journey, I was advised by my nutritionist to eat an orange a day claiming it would boost my metabolism and efficiency of weight loss due to vitamin C present in oranges. However, I was skeptical to their claims and wondered if there's a way to measure the actual abundance of Vitamin C in oranges and if any factors in our daily life come in the way of vitamin C concentration and its capabilities. After covering metabolism as part of our IB biology course, I want to investigate how the abundance of the concentration of vitamin C affects the activity of our metabolism. Introduction: Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient for the human body. It is necessary for various metabolic

  • Word count: 6452
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Biology- Extended essay. For this research, I investigated the effects of DDT and an Azo-Dye on the opercular movement of Mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) a fresh water fish.

BIOLOGY EXTENDED ESSAY BIOLOGY EXTENDED ESSAY What effect do the different concentrations of DDT and an AZO dye have on the opercular movement of Cirrhinus cirrhosus? Biology Supervisor: Shobit Saxena Word Count: 4100 CONTENTS Page No: * Research Question.............................................................. 2 * Abstract............................................................................. 4 * Introduction........................................................................ 5 * The Operculum and the breathing process of a fish * An Introduction to Cirrhinus Cirrhosus * About DDT * The textile industry * What Azo-Dyes are * Hypothesis......................................................................... 10 * Selecting Variables.............................................................. 10 * Apparatus Required............................................................. 14 * Procedure.......................................................................... 15 * Investigation I..................................................................... 17 * Investigation II..................................................................... 22 * Investigation III.................................................................... 27 *

  • Word count: 6440
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay

Ecology Open Investigation Does the geographic location affect the biotic and abiotic factors in Brown Lake and 18 Mile Swamp located at North Stradbroke Island.

Higher Level Biology Ecology Open Investigation Does the geographic location affect the biotic and abiotic factors in Brown Lake and 18 Mile Swamp located at North Stradbroke Island. I. Background Information North Stradbroke Island (NSI) is a sand island that is sitting on top of a layer of bedrock. This sand island is located in 20 kilometres off Brisbane City in south-east Queensland, Australia. [4] In this investigation, two specific sites in NSI will be looked at - Brown Lake and 18 Mile Swamp. The first experiment site that was tested was called Brown Lake. Brown Lake is classified as a perched lake. Perched Lakes are the most common of the sand island lakes. These types of lakes are found at elevations of 100 metres of more above sea level. As perched lakes are directly reliant on rainfall for their water source, they can rise and fall by several meters or more from year to year, depending on the climatic conditions at the time. Brown Lake is frequently visited by people, with thousands of families swimming and canoeing in its clam water each year. Until in 2005, even motorized water sports were allowed on the lake. Brown Lake possesses a clear "tea" colour. This is due to the surrounding trees and reeds and also from the layer of organic matter, which forms the bed of the lake. [3] The natural bushland surrounding the lake is home to many delicate wildflowers,

  • Word count: 6399
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
Access this essay