Unseen World Y8

Question 1

Describe how soil is formed

Answer 1

Rock is weathered, releases minerals, simple organisms use minerals, die, organic matter builds up, rainwater, plants grow, attract animals which die, decompose - and repeat

Question 2

Describe the main components of soil and their roles

Answer 2

Air - air spaces allow movement of air and gas exchange of organisms and plant roots

Water - plants need for photosynthesis, binds soil and minerals, habitat and movement for microorganisms

Minerals - N, P, K, Mg from breakdown of rocks help plants grow

Organic Matter - animals die, dead bodies become a food source

Question 3

What are the key features and classification of fungi?

Answer 3

Form one of the five kingdom’s that make up all living things​

Estimated 2-4 million species (144,000 recorded so far)​

Three main types; moulds, mushrooms and yeasts​

Feed on other organic material

Most fungi are decomposers (saprobionts) but some are parasites ​

Question 4

structure of moulds and mushrooms

Answer 4

Mould - hyphae make up mycelium, apophysis and sporangium (releases spores) on sporangiophore

Mushroom - hyphae make up mycelium underground, mushroom is fruiting body

Question 5

Define the term mycorrhizal fungi

Answer 5

Fungi which form a symbiotic relationship with plants

Question 6

Define the term symbiotic

Answer 6

an interaction between organisms, living closely together, typically to the advantage of both

Question 7

Define the term antibiotic

Answer 7

A chemical which destroys or stops the growth of bacteria

Question 8

Describe how antibiotics work

Answer 8

Destroy cell wall - bacteria can’t survive in a body without a cell wall

Interfering with DNA replication - stops bacteria from reproducing

Interfering with protein synthesis - without protein, bacteria can’t carry out vital life processes and won’t survive