In your own words discuss the following 1 Discuss the proper

In your own words discuss the following.

1. Discuss the properties of water that gives it a capacity to support life?

2. Discuss how limiting factors relate to carrying capacity?

Solution

Ans 1) It is a basic and well known fact that water is essential for our life and has many life supporting properties. It consists of H₂O molecules which is integral to life and our survival with our body usually consisting of 70% of water. Water has diverse properties which is why it is an important biological molecule. Here are few properties of water that makes it an essential biological molecule imparting many life supporting characteristics.

Ans 2) Before we co-relate limiting factor with carrying capacity we need to know what each of it exactly is.

Carrying capacity – In terms of biology, carrying capacity is the number or frequency of species that are able to survive in a particular environment taking in consideration factors like food, water, etc. It is basically the maximum capacity an environment can bear while accommodating individuals. It is also can be said as number of species or individuals that can survive in an environment based on the abiotic and biotic factors available to them.

Limiting Factors are nothing but the abiotic and biotic factors which limit the carrying capacity of the environment. Both are related because the carrying capacity totally depends on the limiting factors. The more the limiting factors in the environment, more is the carrying capacity of the environment. Taking examples, let’s say there is space and water for 15 humans to survive in a particular area with limited food. We see the gradual decrease in human with only 10 humans able to survive after few days. This is because food is the limiting factor and without food humans aren’t able to survive.

It is true that for species to survive in a particular environment both abiotic and biotic factor is important. But if any of the factors which is integral for survival of the species is limited, we see a decrease in the survival rate of the individuals.