E. Short Answer Questions: 1. What is meant by environment? Name two components of environment.

All the external elements impacting the life and development of an organism form its environment. It can be broadly divided into two broad categories:

1. Abiotic Components: These are the non-living parts of the environment. These include:

Physical Components:

Atmosphere: The layer of gases overlaying the Earth, including oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

Hydrosphere: All the water bodies on the Earth, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

Lithosphere: The outer solid crust that consists of the crust and part of the upper mantle.

Chemical Compounds: The elements and compounds in the environment consist of minerals, salts, and gases.

2. Biotic Elements: Biota are those living elements of the environment. These are:

Plants: the Producers

Plants refer to those organisms that produce energy through the process of photosynthesis by the use of sunlight.

Animals: They are consumers. This means that they take their food either from plants or another animal.

Microorganisms: They are microscopic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and others which perform vital functions in the ecosystem.

Such complex and dynamic interaction makes an ecosystem between these biotic and abiotic components. From these, knowledge about the components is essential to environmental conservation and sustainable development.