Leaving Cert Biology Ecology & Ecosystems: a) (i) What is meant by nitrogen

Question

a) (i) What is meant by nitrogen fixation?  
Nitrogen fixation refers to the process by which nitrogen gas from the atmosphere is converted into ammonia or related compounds in soil. This process is essential for making nitrogen available to plants, as they cannot directly use nitrogen gas.  
(ii) Name a group of organisms involved in nitrogen fixation.  
Bacteria, such as Rhizobium, and certain types of legumes are involved in nitrogen fixation.

b) Answer the following questions by reference to an ecosystem that you have studied.  
(i) Name the ecosystem.  
The ecosystem I studied is a freshwater lake.  
(ii) Name two habitats from the ecosystem.  
The two habitats in this ecosystem are the surface water (pelagic zone) and the lakebed (benthic zone).  
(iii) Name an animal that is present in one of these habitats and describe one way in which it is adapted to that habitat.  
The fish, specifically the perch, is present in the surface water habitat. It is adapted through its streamlined body shape, which allows it to swim efficiently through the water.  
(iv) Describe briefly how you carried out a quantitative survey of a named plant found in the ecosystem.  
I carried out a quantitative survey of the Elodea plant by using a quadrat method, where I placed a square frame at random locations in the aquatic zone to count the number of Elodea plants and measure their density.

c) (i) What is meant by pollution?  
Pollution refers to any harmful change in the environment caused by substances introduced by human activity.  
(ii) Give an example of pollution which may result from domestic (household) or industrial or agricultural activity.  
An example of pollution is plastic waste generated from households or chemical runoff from agricultural fields entering water bodies.  
(iii) Suggest two ways to prevent or control pollution.  
Two ways to prevent or control pollution include implementing recycling programs and promoting the use of biodegradable materials.  
(iv) Write a short paragraph (about 5 lines) on waste management.  
Effective waste management involves reducing, reusing, and recycling waste products to minimize their impact on the environment. It is essential to dispose of waste safely to prevent pollution and to encourage community awareness about proper waste disposal methods. Utilizing composting techniques can help in managing organic waste effectively.

a) (i) What is meant by nitrogen fixation? Nitrogen fixation refers to the process by which nitrogen gas from the atmosphere is converted into ammonia or related compounds in soil - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 10 - 2008

Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) (i) What is meant by nitrogen fixation? Nitrogen fixation refers to the process by which nitrogen gas from the atmosphere is converted into ammonia or related compounds in soil - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 10 - 2008

What is meant by nitrogen fixation?

Name a group of organisms involved in nitrogen fixation.

Name the ecosystem.

Name two habitats from the ecosystem.

Name an animal that is present in one of these habitats and describe one way in which it is adapted to that habitat.

Describe briefly how you carried out a quantitative survey of a named plant found in the ecosystem.

What is meant by pollution?

Give an example of pollution which may result from domestic (household) or industrial or agricultural activity.

Suggest two ways to prevent or control pollution.

Write a short paragraph (about 5 lines) on waste management.

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