Gujarat BoardEnglish MediumSTD 10Scienceour environment4 Marks
Question
Explain the components of an ecosystem.
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Answer
Each ecosystem consists of two main components:
(1) Abiotic components:
All the non-living constituents of an ecosystem are included in the abiotic components.
Abiotic components are the physical factors like temperature, rainfall, wind, soil, light, minerals, etc.
(2) Biotic components:
All living organisms of an ecosystem are included in the biotic components.
Organisms can be grouped as producers, consumers and decomposers according to their food habit.
Their mode of sustenance forms the trophic relationship in the environment.
(i) Producers:
Those organisms which can make organic compounds like sugar and starch from inorganic substances using solar energy in presence of chlorophyll are called producers.
e.g., Certain bacteria, various kinds of algae and all green plants.
(ii) Consumers:
Those organisms which consume the food produced either directly from producers or indirectly by feeding on other consumers are called consumers.
e.g., Non-chlorophyllous and heterotrophic organisms.
Consumers can be divided into four categories.
(iii) Decomposers:
The microorganisms which breakdown the complex organic substances into simple inorganic substances are called decomposers.
e.g., Certain bacteria and fungi, breakdown the dead remains and waste products of organisms.
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