Flashcards for:
Understanding Animal Nutrition Basics

In commensalism, one organism benefits without harming the other, e.g., orchids on trees. In parasitism, the parasite benefits at the host's expense, e.g., malaria parasites in humans.

Stomata are small openings on the leaves that allow for gas exchange, enabling the intake of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen during photosynthesis.

NPK fertilizers supply essential nutrients: Nitrogen (N) for leaf growth, Phosphorus (P) for root development, and Potassium (K) for overall plant health.

Parasitic plants, like Cuscuta, draw nutrients from host plants, while insectivorous plants, like the pitcher plant, trap insects to obtain nutrients not available from the soil.

Soil erosion involves the removal of the nutrient-rich topsoil layer by natural forces, decreasing soil fertility and potentially leading to reduced agricultural productivity.

Photoautotrophs perform photosynthesis using sunlight to produce food, while chemoautotrophs use chemical reactions for energy, often found in ecosystems without sunlight, such as deep-sea environments.

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants' leaves that captures sunlight, facilitating the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Desert plants often have their leaves modified into spines, which minimizes surface area and reduces water loss through evaporation.

Potassium Hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide; if a leaf tested does not turn blue-black, it indicates CO2's crucial role in producing starch during photosynthesis.

Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to leaves, while phloem distributes the food prepared in leaves to other parts of the plant.

Manure and fertilizers replenish nutrients in soil, enhancing its fertility and productivity by providing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

If starch is present in the leaf, the iodine solution will turn the leaf blue-black. This indicates that photosynthesis has occurred, producing starch.

In mutualism, both organisms benefit from the relationship. An example is the Rhizobium bacteria in legume root nodules, where bacteria fix nitrogen, benefiting plants, while receiving nutrients.

Heterotrophs cannot produce their own food and rely on autotrophs, such as plants, for the organic compounds and energy necessary for survival.

Soil fertility can be enhanced through practices like adding organic manure, which enriches soil with decomposed organic matter, or rotating crops to maintain nutrient balance.