SCE551 (LESSON BOOK)

ECOSYSTEM

The ecosystem adjusts itself, and there is a

reaction for every action

LET'S

EXPLORE

OUR ECOSYSTEM

Copyright

First Published 2022

Published for
School Science, SCE551

By
ARR Books Trading Sdn. Bhd.
No. 7, Bangunan SEDC, Jalan Kelantan,
21200, Kuala Terengganu,
Terengganu Darul Iman
Tel: 09-6624339

Layout and Typesetting
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All right reserved. Without the consent of the publications, no part
of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, whether electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise.

ii

Acknowledgements

I want to express my special thanks to my SCE551 lecturer, Madam
Siti Fairuz Binti Dalim, because my assignment cannot be done
without having her support and guide until completing my Lesson
Book Development. She always gives support and directions on how to
do the task by doing Google Meet to explain the assignment to
ensure students produce a good outcome for the work.

Besides that, my sincere thanks also go to my friends who helped me
greatly with this assignment. Not to forget my best friend, Nur
Aisyah, who has supported me and has always been there for me
throughout this journey. We have gone through good times and bad
times, and I only ask that Allah bless you with His incredible
goodness in ways that only He can.

Last but not least, I am utterly grateful to my amazing mom, who
raised me and was such a wonderful dad and mom for me. Thank you
for encouraging me and for believing in me when my self-belief was
at one-time non-existent. You have given a lot to me, and I am better
because of you. Thank you to my sister and brother for always
supporting me. And thank you, Allah, for letting me through all the
difficulties and letting me finish my assignment. All praise be to
Allah. Alhamdulillah.

iii

Author

NUR ALIA NADIRA BINTI A RAHMAN
2020989307

iv

Table of Content

Title Page i
Copyright Page
Acknowledgement Page ii
Author iii
Introduction iv
Presence of Material Perspectives vi
Chapter 1: Ecosystem
vii
1.1: Community and Ecosystem
1.2: Population Ecology 1
2-7
Quiz and Exercise 8-9
References 10-11
12-13

v

Introduction

The Ecosystem Book is a book that includes the latest features in
the book in the marketplace that will help students out there to face
21st Century Learning.

This Book will cover regarding ecosystem. The ecology serves a
critical role in maintaining the natural balance. Each organism thrives
and multiplies as expected in a healthy ecology. They have enough to
eat to stay alive. Ecological balance is also crucial since it ensures
that species continue to exist. It provides that no species is
overworked or exploited. That’s why the ecosystem is one of the
important topics that the writer writes about.

This book is interesting because it provides lessons and offers many
other things such as interesting pictures, mind maps, quizzes and
answers to test students understanding, QR codes to make it easier.
This book was prepared by a qualified author who is a Bachelor of
Science Education (Hons.) Biology in UiTM Puncak Alam. This is the
author’s first time writing a book, so she will improve more when
writing a new book.

vi

Presence of Multiple
Perspectives

vii

CHAPTER
1

ECOSYSTEM

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? DID YOU KNOW?
1.1 COMMUNITY AND
ECOSYSTEM What factors influence the formation
1.2 POPULATION ECOLOGY of a community and ecosystem?

What factors influence the formation
of a community and ecosystem?

What is a butterfly's niche in its
environment?

How does the amount of light in a
forest affect the distribution of
plants?

What does population ecology imply?

What is the distinction between
population density and population size?

1

1.1
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM

LEARNING OUTCOMES Organisms interact not just with one
another but also with non-living things to
At the end of this lesson, form a sustainable distribution called the
students should be able: ecosystem.
• To identify species, population,
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community, habitat, niche and
ecosystem.

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LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

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Individual Population Community Ecosystem

Tina, Do you know that Yes, Pooja. The four main
there are four main levels of study in ecology are
levels of study in
ecology? the species, population,
community, and ecosystem.

Scan for Ecosystem
Quiz!

2

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1.1 Sure, Aisyah. I will
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM explain it to you
about it.
Teacher, can you explain the
meaning of habitat, species,
population, community and

ecosystem.

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Scan for Further DEFINITION
Explanation

Let me explain the HABITAT SPECIES
meaning of the
question Aisyah The area or location A species is a group of
asked me. where an organism (or plants or animals that have
a biological population) common features and can
lives, resides or breed with one another.
inhabits is its habitat.

POPULATION COMMUNITY

A population is defined as A community, sometimes
a group of individuals of known as a biological
the same species living in community, is an
the same region and interacting group of
interbreeding. numerous species in the
same place.
ECOSYSTEM
NICHE
The complexity of living
In ecology, a niche is
species, their physical defined as all of a species'
interactions with other
environment, and all of members of its community,
including competition,
their interrelationships in predation, parasitism, and
mutualism.
a certain unit of space is
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referred to as an

ecosystem. 3

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1.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM
At the end of this lesson,
students should be able:
• To explain biotic and abiotic

components in an ecosystem.

BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC COMPONENTS IN AN
ECOSYSTEM

The ecosystem comprises two major
components: biotic components and abiotic
components. Any organisms in an ecosystem
that interact with other organisms are
biotic components. All non-living factors,
including their physical and chemical
properties that can influence a species in an
ecosystem, are abiotic components.

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ECOSYSTEM

BIOTIC COMPONENTS ABIOTIC COMPONENTS

Air

humidity

Producers Decomposers pH value Topography

Temperature Microclimate

Consumers Light intensity

Diagram 1.1 Pathway.org 4 Diagram 1.2 Pathway.org
Biotic Factor Abiotic Factor

1.1
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM

ABIOTIC COMPONENT

pH VALUE

• The pH of soils has a significant impact on the plants that may thrive
there. Some plants, such as azaleas, thrive in acidic soils and will perish
soon if transplanted to alkaline soils.

• Clematis, for example, prefers alkaline soil.
• Hydrangeas, for example, may thrive in both environments.
• Hydrangeas are unique in that the colour of their flower changes

depending on the soil. Like universal indicator paper,
• Hydrangea blossoms are pink in acidic soils and blue in alkaline soils. Canva.com

TEMPERATURE LIGHT INTENSITY

• Both animals and plants have evolved • Some plants have adapted to
to thrive in their ideal environments.
thrive in direct sunshine. unsplash.com
• Cactus or orchid houseplants would
perish if you placed them outside in • A cactus houseplant is an example Cactus
cold weather. of this. Cacti are native to Diagram 1.5
deserts, where they thrive in
• Animals that have evolved to dwell at
the North Pole, such as the polar direct sunlight. Other plants have
bear, would not survive in warmer
temperatures. adapted to living in the shade.

Canva.com • Many orchids, also kept as

houseplants, grow on rainforest

trees and have evolved to thrive in

gloomy environments.

• Neither an orchid nor a cactus

would thrive if placed on a bright

windowsill or in a gloomy corner of

your room.

bubblestand.fandom.com britannica.com AIR HUMIDITY

Diagram 1.3 Diagram 1.4 • The amount of water vapour in the air has
Polar Bear an impact on the distribution of organisms
MICROCLIMATE Fox in a habitat.

• Any climatic condition found within a few • There are more organisms in high-humidity
metres or less above and below the locations than in dry areas.
Earth's surface, as well as inside
vegetation canopies, is referred to as a • Water loss by transpiration is increased in
microclimate. a stoma when the ambient humidity is low.

• Temperature, humidity, wind and • The absorption of water and mineral salts
turbulence, dew, frost, heat balance, and from the soil is improved as a result of this
evaporation all influence microclimatic scenario.
conditions.
• As a result of the cooling impact of
transpiration, plants can maintain an
optimal temperature for enzyme function.

5

1.1
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM

AUTOTROPHIC AND HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION

Nutrition is how an organism obtains nutrients and energy from
food to carry out its life functions. Autotrophic and
heterotrophic nutrition are the two types of nutrition.

AUTOTROPHIC HETEROTROPHIC

Photoautotrophic Chemoautotrophic Saprotrophic Parasitic

Holozoic

PHOTOAUTOTROPHIC

Example: Green Algae
• Photoautotrophs are creatures that can

generate their own energy through

photosynthesis by utilising light and

carbon dioxide.

• The term photoautotroph is derived from

the word autotroph, which refers to a

creature that produces its own

nourishment, and photo-, which means

"light." Diagram 1.6 thoughtco.com

CHEMOAUTOTROPHIC Example: Nitrosomonas

• Chemoautotrophs are cells that produce Diagram 1.7 britannica.com
their own energy and biological
components by utilising inorganic
chemicals.

• "Autotrophs" are organisms that do not
require food because they produce their
own biological components and energy.

6

1.1
COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM

SAPROTROPHIC
Example: Bracket Fungus

• Saprotroph, also known as saprophyte or
saprobe, is a tiny organism that feeds on
nonliving organic materials known as
detritus.

• Saprotrophs eat via absorptive nutrition,
in which the nutritious substrate is
immediately processed by a variety of
enzymes secreted by the saprotroph.

Diagram 1.8 britannica.com

HOLOZOIC

Example: Lion

• An organism that thrives by consuming
solid organic substances that are then

digested and absorbed by the body.

• The majority of animals, including
humans, are holozoic.

britannica.com Diagram 1.9

PARASITIC
Example: Tapeworms

• A parasite is a creature that lives on or
in the host and obtains its sustenance
from or at the expense of the host.

• Protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites
are the three main types of parasites
that can cause disease in humans.

Diagram 2.0 gponline.com

7

1.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES
POPULATION ECOLOGY

Population ecology is a field of ecology that At the end of this lesson, students
explores how a population interacts with its should be able:
surroundings. A population is a collection of • To recognize the factors affecting
creatures from the same species that live
in the same environment. Population population distribution.
distribution describes how organisms of the
same species might spread out in a habitat. Aina, do you Yes, Afiq. There are
know the factors factors affecting
FACTORS AFFECTING the population
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION affecting the distribution for
population plants and animals.
(PLANTS)
distribution?

Effects: TEMPERATURE

• A good temperature for plant

growth is between 25°C and

30°C. Effects: WATER

• High
temperatures can • In herbaceous plants, water is
needed for enzymes to work,
make enzymes
photosynthesis, transport, and
break down, which
support.
can hurt the plant.
• Dry areas like deserts and tundra,

like the poles, don't have many

people and many plants, either.

Effects: LIGHT

• Light is very important for the

process of photosynthesis in

plants. MINERAL SALT CONTENT
Effects:
• Areas that receive little light
have a lower number of plants.

PH OF SOIL • Roots with a lot of salt don't get
Effects: water through osmosis.

• Plants will lose water through

• The pH of the soil is important osmosis if there is a lot of salt in

for the roots to be able to take the soil.

in nutrients. • Minerals are needed to make

• Plants won't be able to get the proteins, enzymes, nucleotides,

nutrients they need from soil vitamins, and other things.

that has a high or low pH.

• Plants won't be able to grow well

because they won't have enough

8nutrients to do so.

1.2
POPULATION ECOLOGY

Hey Suhadah, it’s true Yes, Sam. The affecting
that the affecting population distribution

population distribution between plants and
between plants and animals is different.
animals is different?

FACTORS AFFECTING
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

(ANIMALS)

Effects: WATER

• Animals congregate in regions
where there are sufficient water
sources for drinking and cooling.

Effects: TEMPERATURE

Effects: BREEDING SITE • Certain animals, such as worms
and snails, avoid areas in a habitat
• Animals require a safe and that are exposed to high
suitable breeding habitat in which temperatures.
to nurture their progeny.
Effects: FOOD SUPPLY

• Because animals are heterotrophs
who rely on plants and other
animals for nourishment, food is
essential for survival.

PATTERN FOR POPULATION
DISTRIBUTIONS

CLUMPED RANDOM UNIFORM

• This state is induced • In a given area, • Organisms can be found
by an uneven organisms are spread all throughout a
distribution of in a random fashion. populated region. This
resources in an area, This distribution type of distribution
which causes clumped includes animals with occurs in species when
organisms to form low inter-individual each individual
distinct groups. contact. competes for a limited
number of resources in
9 a given area.

QUIZ TIME!
Check your level of understanding.

Answer all the questions below.

1. The following are the biotic component found in ecosystems.

A. pH value
B. Light intensity
C. Decomposers
D. Topography

2. The diagram shows a type of organism. Scan to Check the
Answers

Define the various forms of nutrients that the creature carries.

A. Synthesis of their food via the process of photosynthesis
B. Gain their nutrients from dead and decaying organic substances
C. Eating solid organic substances which are then digested and

absorbed into the body
D. Absorb nutrients from the hosts

3. Abiotic variables and their influence on plant population
distribution are as follows.

Abiotic factor The effects on plants

A. Temperature Low temperature can cause enzymes to
denature

B. pH of soil The acidic pH of the soil will cause the absorption
C. Mineral salt of nutrients to be low
D. Light
The high salt content in the soil causes more
water to diffuse into plant cells by osmosis

Areas that receive more light have a
small number of plants

10

EXERCISE
Check your level of understanding.

Answer all the questions below. Scan to Check the
Answers
1. Which statement is true about all biotic factors?
A. All biotic factors are animals
B. All biotic factors are producers
C. A chair is biotic
D. Biotic factors are or were living

2. Plants need all of the following abiotic factors for photosynthesis
except
A. Sand
B. Sunlight
C. Water
D. Carbon dioxide

3. Which of the following is an example of an abiotic part of an
ecosystem?
A. Bacteria
B. Fungus
C. Grass
D. Soil

4. What is an ecosystem?
5. List the biotic and abiotic components.
6. State pattern for population distribution.
7. Explain autotrophic nutrition.
8. Discuss factors affecting population distribution in animals.

11

References

Anonymous. (2021, January 21). Buku Teks biologi tingkatan 5 KSSM (Dalam Bahasa Inggeris). Bumi
Gemilang. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from https://www.bumigemilang.com/buku-teks-biologi-
tingkatan-5-kssm-dalam-bahasa-inggeris/

https://www.gponline.com/tapeworm-infestation-returned-traveller/infections-and-
infestations/infections-and-infestations/article/1284578

Anonymous. (2020, September 18). CDC - parasites - about parasites. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html#:~:text=A%20parasite%20is%20an%20organism,Protozo
a

Kays, R. W. (2020, July 29). lion. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/lion

Wilson, A. W. (2018, November 21). saprotroph. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/saprotroph

https://www.britannica.com/science/chemotroph

Editors, B. B. D., By: & Editors, B. D. (2017, April 28). Chemoautotroph - definition, function and
examples. Biology Dictionary. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from
https://biologydictionary.net/chemoautotroph/

Editors, B. B. D., By: & Editors, B. D. (2017, April 29). Photoautotroph - definition, function and
types. Biology Dictionary. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from
https://biologydictionary.net/photoautotroph/

Kennedy, J. (2019, March 18). What to know about green algae, or Chlorophyta. ThoughtCo.
Retrieved February 4, 2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/green-algae-chlorophyta-2291973

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, August 12). red fox. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/animal/red-fox-mammal

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, March 19). microclimate. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/microclimate

BBC. (n.d.). Abiotic factors affecting the abundance and distribution of organisms - organisation and
ecosystems: Interdependence and competition - eduqas - GCSE combined science revision - eduqas -
BBC bitesize. BBC News. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z8tcsrd/revision/1

Habitat: Abiotic & Biotic Factors. Pathwayz. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2022, from
https://www.pathwayz.org/Tree/Plain/HABITAT%3A+ABIOTIC+%26+BIOTIC+FACTORS

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2019, February 11). niche. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/niche-ecology

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, August 11). ecosystem. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/ecosystem

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, May 28). community. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/community-biology

12

References

Pimm, S. L. and Smith, . Robert Leo (2019, February 7). ecology. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/ecology
Nature Publishing Group. (n.d.). Introduction to Population Demographics. Nature news. Retrieved
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population-demographics-
83032908/#:~:text=A%20population%20is%20defined%20as,interbreeding%20within%20a%20given
%20area.
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. (n.d.). Species definition and meaning: Collins english dictionary. Species
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