Lessons 29–30 · 2 lessons · A. G‘afurov, A. Abdukarimov, J. Tolipova, O. Ishankulov, M. Umaraliyeva, I. Abdurahmonova. Biology Grade 11, 1st edition. Sharq Publishing and Printing Joint-Stock Company, Tashkent, 2018
30
Properties and functions of living matter in the biosphere
Textbook: pp. 142–145
GoalExplain the properties and the seven functions of living matter (energetic, concentrating, destructive, environment-forming, gas exchange, redox, transport) with examples.
New words
energetic function · energetik funksiyadestructive function · destruktiv funksiyagas-exchange function · gaz almashinuv funksiyasibiogenic migration · biogen migratsiya
Explanation
Living matter has the properties of rapid spread and occupation of habitats, ordered and fast chemical reactions (thanks to enzymes), evolutionary change, adaptation to the environment, energy storage and great diversity. Its functions: energetic – turning solar energy into organic matter by photosynthesis and passing it along food chains (partly stored as peat, coal and oil); concentrating – accumulating some elements (silicon in diatoms and radiolarians, iodine in brown algae, calcium and phosphorus in bone); destructive – decomposing remains and weathering rocks (bacteria, lichens, fungi); environment-forming – creating the atmosphere, sedimentary rocks and soil; gas exchange – maintaining O2 and CO2 levels; redox – photosynthesis (CO2 is reduced), respiration (carbohydrate is oxidised) and iron bacteria; transport – moving elements even against gravity. Vernadsky called this the biogenic migration of atoms.
Worked examples
Lichens release acids on bare rock and slowly weather it, and then the first soil forms from their remains – the destructive and environment-forming functions work together.
A fish-eating bird carries fish from water to land, and migratory birds move phosphorus and nitrogen from water bodies to land – this is the transport function.
Class activity
Make a table with columns: function, organism, example. Fill in organisms you know for each of the seven functions. Safety: paper work only.
Practice
1
What is the energetic function of living matter?
It converts solar energy into organic matter by photosynthesis and passes it along food chains.
2
If 1000 diatom shells give 3 mg of silicon, how many mg do 5000 shells give?
15
3
Why are lichens counted as pioneers of life on rocks?
They release acids that weather rock and begin soil formation.
4
How does redox appear in photosynthesis and respiration?
In photosynthesis CO2 is reduced to carbohydrate, in respiration carbohydrate is oxidised to CO2 and water.