TOPIC : DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM

1. Figure 1 shows pond ecosystem.

Figure
1
(a) (i) Based on Figure 1, name TWO factors for each of the following:Biotic factor :
..
Abiotic factor :
.
[4m]
(ii) Name the abiotic factor that controls the distribution of submerged plants in the pond.
..
[1m]
(iii) State the relationship between the factor you have named in (a)(ii) and the distribution
of submerged plants.

[1m]

(b) (i) Based on Figure 1, construct :

- A food web showing the interaction of all the organisms in the figure.

[2m]

- A pyramid of numbers consisting of four trophic levels

[2m]

(ii) Explain how energy is transferred from the sun to the organisms in food chain.

[3m]

(iii) Explain why the amount of energy received by an organism via the food chain
gradually decreases from one trophic level to the other trophic levels.

[3m]

(c) (i) Name the organism that is known as the pioneer species in the pond.

[1m]

.
(ii) Most of the pioneer species have adaptations that enable them to live in the bare
habitat. Give TWO adaptations of the pioneer species you have named in (c)(i).

[2m]

(iii) Explain how the ecosystem in Figure 1 can turn into a climax ecosystem.

[5m]

.
(d) Vegetables were planted near the pond in Figure 1. A farmer used chemical fertilizers to
enhance the growth of the vegetables. He also used pesticide to control the pests.
Predict the effects arising from those activities to the pond ecosystem after several years.
[5m]

2. Graph 1 shows the population of two different species of Paramecium which are cultured
together in the same nutritional agar.
Number of
individuals

P. aurelia

P. caudatum
Time (day)

(a) (i) To which kingdom does the Paramecium sp.belong?

[1m]

(ii) State the physical characteristic of organisms from the kingdom you named in (a)(i).
[1m]
3


(iii) Name four other kingdoms of organisms, and give an example of organism for each
kingdom.

[4m]

Kingdom example
Kingdom .example .
Kingdom example
Kingdom example ....
(iv) Based on its nutritional habit, to which group does Paramecium sp.belong?

[1m]

(b) (i) Based on the graph, complete the table given.

Day

[3m]

Number of population
P. Aurelia
P.caudatum

4
6
16
(ii) Based on graph 1, name the interaction between P. Aurelia and P. caudatum.

[1m]

(iii) Explain the interaction above.

[3m]

(c) (i) State the three main factors that cause competition among organisms in a habitat.
[3m]
...................................................................................................................................................

.
(ii) Explain your answer.

[5m]

(d) In plot A, maize seedlings were planted at interval of 3cm from each other; in plot B,
maize seedlings were planted 5cm apart. Explain
i. type of interaction occurs

[1m]

ii. effect to the maize seedlings

[4m]

(e) In the tropical rain forest, only the bigger and taller trees are dominant; explain why.
[4m]

..
(f) Prey-predator and parasitism are other types of interaction.
Name a pair of organisms involved in the following interactions.

[2m]

Prey-predator :
..
Parasitism

..

3. Figure 2 shows two microorganisms.

(a) virus

(b) bacteria
Figure 2

(a) (i) Name the substances used to form the cell wall of the :

[2m]

virus : ...........................................................................................................................
bacteria : ........................................................................................................................
(ii) State the difference between bacteria and virus in the following aspect :

[3m]

Structure :

Method of reproduction

Nutrition. :

(iii) Bacteria in Figure 2 can move in their habitat, explain how.

[3m]

.......................................................................................................
(b) (i) Define the following terms :
Parasitism:

.
Saprophytism:

(ii) Parasites can cause diseases. State 3 main ways how parasitic diseases can be
transmitted in a community .

[3m]

(iii) Ringworm is a disease caused by fungus. Explain how transmission of this pathogen
can be stopped.

[3m]
6

..
(c) Microorganisms can be useful to human. Explain the importance of microorganisms :
(i) In food industry.

[3m]

..
(ii) In Nitrogen cycle

[3m]

........................................................................................
(iii) Production of insulin

[3m]