Lesson Note on Biology SS1 Second Term

 SCHEME OF WORK

WEEK 1 BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPT

 

WEEK 2 ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT

 

WEEK 3 TOLERANCE

 

WEEK 4&5 ADAPTATION

 

WEEK 6&7  POLLUTION

 

WEEK 8 CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

WEEK 9&10 REPRODUCTION

 

SS1 Second Term Biology Lesson Note 

Below are the 2022 complete SS1 Second Term Biology Lesson Note 

Week: 1

Topic: Basic Ecological Concept

Introduction

The ecological system comprises the scientific study of the processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the interactions between organisms and the transformation and flux of energy and matter.

What Is Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationships of living organisms to each other and their surroundings. It provides the foundations of our understanding of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Biologists who study ecology are called ecologists. Ecology is also known as environmental biology.

Ecology is a practical science involving;

– The measurement of factors affecting the environment

– Studying the distribution of living organisms, and

– Finding out how living organisms depend on one another and their non-living environment for their survival. To learn more, Click here.

Week: 2

Topic: Ecological Management

Introduction

Living organisms establish different living associations with others in order to obtain food or protection. Some of these living associations are beneficial to one or both organisms in the relationship. This is called biological associations and these biological associations are beneficial, some are neutral while others are harmful.

Types of Association

Symbiosis

The word symbiosis literally means ‘living together,’ but when we use the word symbiosis in biology, what we’re really talking about is a close, long-term interaction between two different species. There are many different types of symbiotic relationships that occur in nature.

In many cases, both species benefit from the interaction. This type of symbiosis is called mutualism.

Mutualism: Is a biological interaction between two organisms, in which both species benefit from the interaction. Most mutualisms are facultative, meaning the partners can successfully live apart. However, some mutualisms are so intimate that the interacting species can no longer live without each other; they have a mutually obligate interdependence.

An example of mutualism is the relationship between bullhorn acacia trees and certain species of ants. Each bullhorn acacia tree is home to a colony of stinging ants. The tree has very large thorns that look like bull’s horns. To learn more, Click here.

Week: 3

Topic: Tolerance

Introduction

Tolerance is the ability of living organisms to withstand or tolerate little unfavourable changes in the environment which affect their survival.

Living organisms can only live in a particular habitat if they can tolerate the ranges of the abiotic factors that operate in it. Due to changes in environmental factors, some of these conditions are sometimes unfavourable. Too little or too much of certain environmental factors such as light, heat, cod, acidity and alkalinity might produce unfavourable conditions.

Tolerance Range

Tolerance range is defined as the range between the minimum and maximum limits to which organisms can tolerate certain changes in their environment so as to survive. Organisms can only live within certain minimum and maximum limits for each abiotic factors. Death occurs beyond this range. For example, for most animals, the minimum temperature, limit is 0⁰C while the maximum limits is 42⁰C. Their tolerance range is 0 – 42⁰C. Below  0⁰C or above 42⁰C, the organisms may die. To learn more, Click here.

Week 4 & 5

Topic: Adaptation 

Introduction

Adaptation is defined as the ability of an organism to live successfully in a particular habitat as a result of its structure, appearance and behaviour. In other words, adaptation is the change in structure, function and behaviour of an organism in order to adjust or survive in its environment.

It is expected that every organism must adapt to its environment in order to survive. Plants and animals possess certain features which enable them to adapt to either aquatic or terrestrial habitats. To learn more, Click here.

Plants Adaptation

Xerophytes

These are plants that survive extremely dry places. They possess the following adaptive features:

• Well-developed root system which absorbs water from deep level.
• Special water storage tissues
• Small leaves to reduce rate of transpiration
• Possession of succulent leaves. To learn more, Click here.

Week: 6 & 7

Topic: Pollution

Introduction

Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant into a natural environment, usually by humans. In other words, Pollution is the addition to the ecosystem of something which has a detrimental effect on it. One of the most important causes of pollution is the high rate of energy usage by modern, growing populations.

When some physical, chemical or biological changes occur in our physical environment it is known as pollution and the substances which brings these changes are known as pollutants. The sources for the pollution can be natural or man made.

Different kinds of pollution are found, but we will discuss the following:

1. Air Pollution.
2. Water Pollution.
3. Land Pollution. To learn more, Click here.

Week: 8

Topic: Conservation of Natural Resources

Introduction

Conservation is the planning and management of natural resources in order to secure their wise use and continuity of supply while maintaining and enhancing their quality, value and diversity. In other words, conservation is defined as the planned or controlled exploitation or judicious use of natural resources to ensure their continuous availability and to preserve the quality or original nature of the environment.

Natural resources can be:

1. Renewable: These include those that are recoverable. Examples are rain, animals, plants, water, air, food and soil.
2. Non-renewable: These include those materials that are fixed and can easily be depleted. Examples are naturally occurring materials such as minerals, oil, coal, petroleum, bauxite, tin, gas, copper, etc. To learn more, Click here.

Week: 9 & 10

Topic: Reproduction

Reproduction is defined as the ability of living organisms to give rise to new individuals of the same species. The purpose of reproduction is to ensure the continuity of life.

Sexual Reproduction 

Sexual reproduction involving the fusion of female gamete (ovum) and male gamete (spermatozoon), which forms a zygote that potentially develops into genetically distinct offspring.

The process of sexual reproduction involves two parents. Both parents normally contribute one gamete or sex cell to the process. This process assures that the genetic information given to the offspring will be obtained equally from each parent. The female gamete is called the egg or the ovum and the male gamete is called a sperm. These gametes are formed in specialized reproductive structures called gonads. The sperm is much smaller than the egg, but is capable of moving on its own power using a whip-like tail called a flagellum.

The sperm and egg unite in a process called fertilization. This process forms a single-celled structure called a zygote which contains the complete genetic information to develop into a complete new organism having characteristics of both parents. To learn more, Click here.