BIO120H1 Chapter 2: Bio Chapter 2.doc
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
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Document Summary
Chapter 2 adaptions to the physical environment: water and nutrients (all c expect pg 31-36, a) The world of living organism and the physical, non-living world affect each other. While being distinct from purely abiotic systems, living organisms must still function within the laws of physics. However, the fundamental difference between the living and non-living world is that the living organisms have a purposeful existence (to survive), it is the non-living world which provides the context for this survival. The number of hydrogen ions in an ecological system (generally, h ions dissolved in a body of water), determine its ph or acidity. Many acquire the inorganic nutrients (nitrogen, calcium, potassium, phosphorus are important) they require as ions dissolved in water in the soil surrounding their roots. Plant growth is often limited by the abundance of these nutrients. Soil is made of many different particles (e. g. clay, silt, sand in order of diameter, smallest to largest).
