This chapter explores the relationship between living organisms and their environment, emphasizing how organisms adapt to their surroundings.
Different components of the environment: biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living factors like temperature, sunlight, air, water, and soil).
Dependence of living organisms on their surroundings for various needs, such as food, water, air, and shelter. Different organisms have specific requirements based on their adaptations.
Habitat refers to the specific environment where an organism naturally lives and thrives. Examples - like forests, deserts, oceans, etc.
Adaptation of organisms to their surroundings: Organisms possess certain features and behaviors that help them survive and thrive in their specific habitats. Examples of adaptations include the long beak of a hummingbird for feeding on nectar, the thick fur of polar bears for insulation in cold environments, and the ability of desert plants to conserve water.
Interdependence of organisms within an ecosystem: Different organisms are connected through food chains and food webs, where energy and nutrients are transferred from one organism to another.
Food chain represents the transfer of energy from one organism to another in a linear sequence. Food web represents a network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem.