15 December Static Quiz 2021 (Environment and Ecology)

There are mainly four reasons for soil acidity: Heavy Rainfall leached many key nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium from soil and it makes the soil acidic. Excess use of water in farming or waterlogging in field. Excess use of chemical fertilizer comprises nitrogen.

An epiphyte is a plant that grows non-parasitically upon another plant (such as a tree), and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around it instead of the structure it is fastened to. An epiphytic organism that is not a plant is not called an epiphyte. Epiphytes are usually found in the temperate zone (e.g., many mosses, liverworts, lichens, and algae) or in the tropics (e.g., many ferns, cacti, orchids, and bromeliads) Epiphytes provide a rich and diverse habitat for other organisms including animals, fungi, bacteria, and myxomycetes. They do not harm trees instead support them.

Formation of ozone consumes oxygen. High in the atmosphere, some oxygen (O2) molecules absorbed energy from the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and split to form single oxygen atoms. These atoms combined with molecular oxygen (O2) to form ozone (O3) molecules, which are very effective at absorbing UV rays. The thin layer of ozone that surrounds Earth acts as a shield, protecting the planet from irradiation by UV light.

Even the process of nitrogen fixing by bacteria does not take place in the presence of oxygen. Nitrogen exists as two nitrogen atoms joined by a very strong triple covalent bond (N ≡ N). The process of conversion of nitrogen (N2) to ammonia is termed as nitrogen-fixation.

Biotype: A group of organisms having the same genotype or identical genetic constitution. Organisms having same genotype can be utilized in fighting against pests biologically.
The phenotype of an organism includes its physiological, biochemical, and behavioural properties. Unlike genotype, which is inherited from the parents, the phenotype is affected by lifestyle and environmental factors. Environmental factors include temperature, nutrition, humidity and mental health of the organism.

Genetic diversity is defined as genetic variability present within species.
Genetic diversity is the product of recombination of genetic material in the process of inheritance. It changes with time and space.
Sexual reproduction is important in maintaining genetic diversity as it gives unique offspring by combining genes of parents.
Mutation of genes, genetic drift and gene flow are also responsible for genetic diversity.

Importance of Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity gives rise to different physical attributes to the individual and capacity to adapt to stress, diseases and unfavourable environmental conditions.
Environmental changes that are natural or due to human intervention, lead to the natural selection and survival of the fittest. Hence, due to genetic diversity, the varieties that are susceptible, die and the ones who can adapt to changes will survive.
Genetic diversity is important for a healthy population by maintaining different varieties of genes that might be resistant to pests, diseases or other conditions.
New varieties of plants can be grown by cross-breeding different genetic variants and produce plants with desirable traits like disease resistance, increased tolerance to stress.
Genetic diversity reduces the recurrence of undesirable inherited traits.
Genetic diversity ensures that at least there are some survivors of a species left.