What is the biosphere, what components does it consist of? Scheme of distribution of living organisms in the biosphere. Distribution of living organisms in the biosphere
The structure of the biosphere. Ecosystem pollution. Conducting an environmental assessment
1 What is the biosphere, what components does it consist of? Scheme of distribution of living organisms in the biosphere
The biosphere is a set of parts of the earth’s shell (litho-, hydro- and atmosphere), which is populated by living organisms, is under their influence and is occupied by the products of their vital activity. The term "biosphere" was coined by the Austrian geologist Eduard Suess in 1875. Vernadsky made a great contribution to the development of the doctrine of the biosphere.
The biosphere consists of living, or biotic, and nonliving, or abiotic, components. The biotic component is the entire set of living organisms (according to Vernadsky - “living matter”). Abiotic component - a combination of energy, water, certain chemical elements and other inorganic conditions in which living organisms exist.
Rice. 1. Distribution of living organisms in the biosphere
Live nature is the main feature of the manifestation of the biosphere, it sharply distinguishes it from other earthly shells. The structure of the biosphere is primarily and most characterized by life. This most powerful geological force, the living matter of the planet, is a collection of very fragile and delicate living organisms, whose mass constitutes an insignificant part of the biosphere they created.
If living matter is evenly distributed over the surface of our planet, it will cover it with a layer only 2 cm thick.
Chemical composition elements of living matter on our planet is characterized by the predominance of a few elements: hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen are the main elements of terrestrial living matter and are therefore called biophilic. Their atoms create complex molecules in living organisms in combination with water and mineral salts.
The living substances of our planet exist in the form of a huge variety of organisms with their own individual characteristics, of various shapes and sizes. Among living organisms there are the smallest microorganisms and multicellular animals and plants large sizes. Sizes range from micrometers (small bacteria, ciliates) to tens of meters.
The population of the biosphere is also extremely diverse in species and morphology. Calculations of the number of species inhabiting our planet have been carried out by various authors, but they can still be considered only approximate.
According to modern estimates, there are about 3 million species of organisms on Earth, of which plants account for 500 thousand species, and animals account for 2.5 million species. All organic world Since the time of Aristotle, our planet has traditionally been divided into plants and animals. Currently, thanks to the study of the structure of the organization of living beings, it is possible to carry out a more advanced classification than was previously possible.
Living matter, according to V.I. Vernadsky, "spreads over earth's surface and exerts a certain pressure on the environment, bypasses obstacles that impede its progress, or takes possession of them, covers them.” Internal energy, produced by life, manifests itself in the transfer of chemical elements and in the creation of new bodies from them. According to V.I. Vernadsky, the geochemical energy of life is expressed in the movement of living organisms through reproduction, which occurs continuously in the biosphere. The reproduction of organisms produces the “pressure of life,” or the “pressure of life.” In this regard, a struggle arises between organisms for space, food, and especially “for gas,” the free oxygen needed for breathing.
In this case, biogenic migration of atoms occurs: atoms captured by plants pass to herbivores, then to predators that feed on herbivores. Dead plants and animals serve as food for microorganisms, and those released by microorganisms as a result of their vital activity minerals again consumed by plants. From this biological cycle only a small percentage of atoms fall out. Those who came from life process biogenic atoms fall into inert (nonliving) nature, thereby playing a huge role in the history of the biosphere.
The reproduction process stops only when there is a lack of oxygen in the environment, action low temperatures and lack of habitat for new organisms.
IN AND. Vernadsky calculated the time required for various organisms to “capture” the surface of the planet.
Thus, he concluded that small organisms reproduce faster than large ones, and domestic animals reproduce faster than wild ones.
Adaptation of organisms to environmental factors. Functions of living matter in the biosphere. Formation of environmental consciousness
Chemical elements circulate in the biosphere in characteristic ways from the external environment into the body and again into external environment. The processes of movement of chemical elements that occur with the participation of living matter are called biogeochemical cycles...
Analysis of the ecological state of the Tomsk region and assessment of environmental risk parameters
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Biosphere and its properties. Consequences greenhouse effect
For the first time, the concept of the biosphere as a “region of life” was introduced into science by Zh.B. Lamarne at the beginning of the 19th century, and into geology by E. Suess in 1875. He understood this term as the totality of all organisms. This definition is close to the modern concept of biota...
The Red Book of Russia
Previously, we reviewed the history of creation, content, structure, purpose and procedure for introducing the Red Book. But what is the real result of its creation in the Russian Federation? First of all, the Red Book has helped officials all these years...
Fundamentals of environmental economics
Uranium, which is a strategic raw material, Lately It is used mainly for peaceful purposes, as fuel for nuclear power plants. The world's uranium resources have not been determined. Australia, Canada, the USA have large reserves of uranium...
Assessment of the degree of wastewater pollution
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Cleaning up emissions of toxic components from the combustion of mineral raw materials
The proposed cleaning scheme is shown in Figure 3. 1-chamber furnace, 2 - shut-off valve, 3 - battery cyclone, 4 - absorber, 5 - tank with urea solution, 6 - pump, 7 - lime catalyst, 8 - catalytic converter...
The concept of state forest management
The management of the forest fund is a set of administrative actions of the relevant government agencies, owners of the forest fund, which are defined as forestry enterprises; agricultural organizations...
Past and present of the Iput River
Wooden circles with a diameter of 10-15 cm and a thickness of 3-5 cm were used as floats. The requirements for the section of the river on which the current speed is measured are as follows: - the banks are smooth and parallel; - the channel is level...
Chemical analysis animal tissue
Most biologically active metals located in the middle part of the first long period tables D.I. Mendeleev and belongs to the so-called transition elements. The exceptions are four metals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium)...
Man as a biological and social organism of nature
Main function The biosphere is to ensure the cycle of chemical elements, which is expressed in the circulation of substances between the atmosphere, soil, hydrosphere and living organisms...
Environmental consequences nuclear war
The severe cold that will set in in the first months after the explosions will cause enormous damage flora. Photosynthesis and plant growth will practically stop. This will be especially noticeable in tropical latitudes...
Environmental law
An environmental legal relationship is a really existing social relationship, regulated by the norms of environmental law, the participants of which are bearers of subjective rights and obligations...
Ecology of the ecosystem of the Eurasian Steppes
Man and nature are inseparable and closely interconnected. For humans, ecology is considered a living environment and a single source of necessary resources. With the development of mankind, the impact on nature has increased. The plowing of the steppes changed the nature of the landscapes...
Ecosystems
According to Charles Darwin's theory, organisms are changeable. It is impossible to find two absolutely identical individuals of the same species. These differences are partly inherited. All this is easily explained from the point of view of genetics...
(lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere) form the biosphere, which is populated by living organisms participating in life processes on Earth.
The biosphere is one of the shells of the Earth, which is inhabited by a variety of living organisms. The biosphere has developed in the process of evolution; it is under the influence of living organisms and is transformed by them.
Have you ever hiked through a forest and noticed the incredible diversity of living organisms, from ferns to trees to mushrooms the size of dinner plates? Or went on a trip and watched the landscape change outside the window, moving from oak forest to tall pine forests to grassy plains? If so, you've acquired a classic taste of ecology, the branch of biology that studies how organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment.
Animals - ecosystems
However, ecology is not only about forests rich in wine, pristine desert or picturesque landscapes. Have you ever encountered cockroaches living under your bed, mold growing in your shower, or even mildew crawling between your toes? so, then you have seen equally valid examples of ecology in action.
The biosphere penetrates the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. In total, there are approximately 3,000,000 species of animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi in the biosphere. Organisms included in the biosphere exhibit an extraordinary ability to spread throughout the planet and reproduce. There are several million species of organisms on Earth. Energy flows are distributed on earth in accordance with the state of the biosphere. Plants release oxygen (11.5 ∙ 107 tons per year) and absorb CO2 (1.7 ∙ 108 tons), if plants disappeared, life on earth would die due to the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Images illustrating interactions between organisms and between organisms and their physical environment. Top left: Mushrooms growing on a mossy log. Upper right: Rolling green hills covered with wildflowers, grasses and occasional trees. Bottom left: rolling fields dry, yellow grass with scrub-covered hills and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Bottom right: cockroach on the floorboards.
Questions and tasks
One of the main goals of ecology is to understand the distribution and abundance of living things in the physical environment. For example, your backyard or neighborhood park likely has a very different selection of plants, animals, and fungi than yours. backyard another Khan Academy student on the opposite side of the globe. These patterns in nature are caused by interactions between organisms, as well as between organisms and their physical environment.
Animals - ecosystems
An ecosystem is a biosystem that consists of living organisms, their habitat, and connections in the system. Animal species make up natural communities. An ecosystem is located on a certain territory, it is composed of certain species, it is distinguished by a certain structure and bioproductivity.
As an example, let us go back to our storm mold. Mold is more likely to appear in your shower than, say, your sock drawer. Perhaps mold needs a certain amount of water to grow, and that amount of water is only found in the shower. The presence of water is an example of an abiotic or non-living factor, which can influence the distribution of organisms. Mold may displace dead skin cells found in the shower but not in the dresser. Availability nutrients provided by other organisms is an example of a biotic factor associated with a living organism that can influence distribution. Let's apply the idea of biotic and abiotic factors to another organism that can be studied by a field ecologist.
The interaction of producers and consumers guarantees the prosperous existence of any ecosystem. Animals cannot live without plant nutrients; predators cannot exist without herbivores. Many species consume other species and themselves become a breeding ground for other members of the ecological community. Birds of prey eat hares, mice, frogs, snakes, and lizards. In turn, snakes eat frogs, mice, and small birds. The bear predator simultaneously feeds on honey, carrion and plants. The fox, as a predator, catches hares, but can also eat fruits. Food chains are very complex; they can easily break down if even one link in the chain is broken.
Plants - ecosystems
Red pandas are distant relatives of raccoons and are found only in the eastern Himalayas. They spend their time in the trees and eat a primarily vegetarian diet. What are the main factors behind this change in abundance? Ecologists have discovered that biotic factors, such as cutting down trees and introducing diseases from domestic dogs, played important role in decline of red panda populations 2 2 2 2, 2, superscript. Abiotic factors have been less important to date, but changing temperatures may lead to further habitat loss in the future 3^3 3 start superscript, 3 end superscript.
The richer the biocenosis, the stronger the ecosystem. If the hares disappear from the food chain that consists of plants, foxes and hares, then the foxes will be able to survive because they will feed on birds and mice.
Plants - ecosystems
Vegetation primarily determines any ecosystem. Tropical forests, steppes, semi-deserts and deserts are characterized by plant communities. In tropical forests there are special trees, grass, and undergrowth that are inhabited by fungi, microorganisms, and animals.
How do environmentalists ask questions?
Understanding the underlying factors driving red panda declines helps conservationists formulate conservation plans to protect the species. Ask questions about the natural world such as "Why is the red panda declining?" - Ecologists are involved in many areas of biology and related disciplines. These include biochemistry, physiology, evolution, behavioral biology and molecular biology, as well as geology, chemistry and physics.
Natural historians were perhaps the first ecologists dating back to the Greek philosopher Aristotle! However, today's ecologists are rigorous, quantitative scientists. They run controlled experiments, use statistics to find patterns in large data sets, and build mathematical models ecological interactions.
A forest ecosystem is characterized by a combination of plants adapted to live with each other. The upper tier is occupied by tall light-loving trees, below are small trees that are less light-loving, the undergrowth is formed by shrubs, and the next tier is formed by grasses. Another layer consists of mosses.
Layering of the forest ecosystem - most important factor, allowing plants with different needs of sunlight to exist.
Let's look at each level. Organism: organic ecologists study adaptation, beneficial properties resulting from natural selection, which allow an organism to live in certain habitats. Population: A population is a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area at the same time. Community ecologists focus on interactions between populations and how these interactions shape the community. Ecosystem: An ecosystem consists of all the organisms in an area, community and abiotic factors that impact this community. Ecosystem ecologists often focus on energy flow and nutrient utilization. Biosphere: The biosphere is the planet Earth considered as ecological system. Ecologists working at the biosphere level can study global patterns—for example, climate change or the distribution of species among ecosystems, and phenomena that affect the entire globe, such as climate change. These adaptations may be morphological, physiological or behavioral. . Dispersion, in biology, the distribution or dispersal of organisms over periods within a specific area or over the Earth.
Microorganisms
Microorganisms are an important link in the cycle of various substances (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus) in nature. They decompose the remains of plants and animals, helping to cleanse the soil and water. The balance of microorganisms in the human body determines his well-being and health.
The disciplines most closely intertwined with the study of dispersion are evolution. Taxonomy deals with the relationships between organisms and involves the classification of life into ordered groups, providing detailed information, necessary for all biology. Research derived from a combination of systematics and variance or distribution, like the pioneers in evolutionary biology, is attested; and, in turn, understanding the process of natural selection illuminates the causes of changes in distribution in Earth's history.
A particular type of organism may establish one of three possible patterns of dispersion in a given region: a random pattern; an aggregate pattern in which organisms are assembled or have a uniform structure with approximately equal spacing between individuals. The type of pattern often arises due to the nature of the relationships within. Social animals such as chimpanzees tend to gather in groups, while territorial animals such as birds tend to be evenly spaced. It is necessary to carefully examine the study scale to obtain an accurate reading of these samples.
The ability of any ecosystem to maintain its connections, structure, and functions determines its stability in any adverse conditions.
> What is the biosphere, what components does it consist of? Scheme of distribution of living organisms in the biosphere
The biosphere is a set of parts of the earth’s shell (litho-, hydro- and atmosphere), which is populated by living organisms, is under their influence and is occupied by the products of their vital activity. The term "biosphere" was coined by the Austrian geologist Eduard Suess in 1875. Vernadsky made a great contribution to the development of the doctrine of the biosphere.
If a group of monkeys occupies three widely separated trees, their span will obviously be cumulative; but in each tree their interval may appear uniform. The distribution may be influenced by the time of day, month or year. The most common form of distribution change occurs among migratory animals, which can be abundant during the summer months and virtually absent during the winter. The forces that control the dispersal of organisms are either vectorial, that is, caused by wind, water, or some other environmental movement, or, as in the case of changing seasons, which provides no indication of where the dispersing organisms may eventually disperse. Dispersion may also depend on relationships with each other or with nutrients.
The biosphere consists of living, or biotic, and nonliving, or abiotic, components. The biotic component is the entire set of living organisms (according to Vernadsky - “living matter”). An abiotic component is a combination of energy, water, certain chemical elements and other inorganic conditions in which living organisms exist.
Competition between species dependent on the same types of food often leads to the destruction of one species, just as the scale of life often determines the boundaries of a species' territory. The unevenness of most distribution patterns is simplified in the case of life forms dependent on relatively limited habitats, such as intertidal clams, which have a nearly linear distribution along rocky shores. Several species, primarily humans and the animals that depend on them, have a worldwide distribution.
Among plants and animals, dispersal usually occurs during reproduction. Dispersal is defined as the movement of individual organisms from their place of birth to other breeding grounds. When overpopulation forces people to move beyond the area in which they were born to find mates or food, new populations sometimes arise. Insects often display distinctive abilities in this regard. The East African locust has been found in two forms: the bright green variety, which is lethargic and solitary, and the highly mobile, group-oriented variety. dark color, which swarms in huge quantities, eating all plant material in its path.
Rice. 1. Distribution of living organisms in the biosphere
Living nature is the main feature of the manifestation of the biosphere; it sharply distinguishes it from other earthly shells. The structure of the biosphere is primarily and most characterized by life. This most powerful geological force, the living matter of the planet, is a collection of very fragile and delicate living organisms, whose mass constitutes an insignificant part of the biosphere they created.
It has been found that if young of the green variety are grown in large, constricted groups, they metamorphose into a dark form at maturity. As their numbers increase and food supply decreases, the locusts undergo developmental and behavioral changes to create the largest dispersal pattern possible.
Sometimes the action limits the distribution of a species. For example, high mountain peaks and isolated islands are dominated by flightless birds and insects. Organisms are also spread by passive means such as wind, water and other creatures. Plants regularly disperse their seeds and spores by wind and water, often with morphological adaptations to increase their potential range, as in the case of thrush seeds.
If living matter is evenly distributed over the surface of our planet, it will cover it with a layer only 2 cm thick.
The chemical composition of the elements of the living matter of our planet is characterized by the predominance of a few elements: hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen are the main elements of the earth's living matter and are therefore called biophilic. Their atoms create complex molecules in living organisms in combination with water and mineral salts.
Mountains and oceans can be effective barriers to dispersal of organisms, as can deserts or other climatological extremes. Some organisms can cross these barriers; birds can cross while bears cannot. In such cases, the paths of more mobile animals are called filters.
The living substances of our planet exist in the form of a huge variety of organisms with their own individual characteristics, of various shapes and sizes. Among living organisms there are microorganisms that are the smallest in shape and large-sized multicellular animals and plants. Sizes range from micrometers (small bacteria, ciliates) to tens of meters.
The population of the biosphere is also extremely diverse in species and morphology. Calculations of the number of species inhabiting our planet have been carried out by various authors, but they can still be considered only approximate.
According to modern estimates, there are about 3 million species of organisms on Earth, of which plants account for 500 thousand species, and animals account for 2.5 million species. Since the time of Aristotle, the entire organic world of our planet has traditionally been divided into plants and animals. Currently, thanks to the study of the structure of the organization of living beings, it is possible to carry out a more advanced classification than was previously possible.
Living matter, according to V.I. Vernadsky, “spreads over the earth’s surface and exerts a certain pressure on the environment, bypasses obstacles that impede its progress, or takes possession of them, covers them.” The internal energy produced by life manifests itself in the transfer of chemical elements and in the creation of new bodies from them. According to V.I. Vernadsky, the geochemical energy of life is expressed in the movement of living organisms through reproduction, which occurs continuously in the biosphere. The reproduction of organisms produces the “pressure of life,” or the “pressure of life.” In this regard, a struggle arises between organisms for space, food, and especially “for gas,” the free oxygen needed for breathing.
In this case, biogenic migration of atoms occurs: atoms captured by plants pass to herbivores, then to predators that feed on herbivores. Dead plants and animals serve as food for microorganisms, and the minerals released by microorganisms as a result of their vital activity are again consumed by plants. Only a small percentage of atoms fall out of this biological cycle. These biogenic atoms released from the life process end up in inert (non-living) nature, thereby playing a huge role in the history of the biosphere.
The reproduction process stops only when there is a lack of oxygen in the environment, low temperatures and a lack of habitat for new organisms.
IN AND. Vernadsky calculated the time required for various organisms to “capture” the surface of the planet.
Thus, he concluded that small organisms reproduce faster than large ones, and domestic animals reproduce faster than wild ones.
“Plant Metabolism” - Plants breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Respiration occurs day and night in all living plant cells. Claude Bernard. Homework: Explain how formation and accumulation occurred organic matter in an apple. Lesson topic: Metabolism and energy in plants. Juicy apples contain a supply of organic substances.
“Structure of the body” - 1680 Described with great accuracy microorganisms observed under a microscope. Stage The emergence of concepts about the cell. Robert Hooke. (1810 – 1882). Cellular theory of the structure of organisms. (1773 – 1858). (1632 - 1723). 1858 First described the nucleus in a plant cell. Theodor Schwann. Schwann-Schleiden cell theory.
“Structure of living organisms” - Chemical composition of the cell. Nucleic Acids 1-2%. The structure of plant and animal cells. Organism. How living things differ from non-living things. Each organ has a specific structure, shape and location in the body. Plant and animal tissues. Single-seeded. Organ system. Viruses do not have a cellular structure.
“Levels of organization of living things” - System of biopolymers. The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms. Ecosystem level. Wildlife. Population - species. General biology. The organism is separate Living being, interacting relatively independently with its environment. Molecular level. Cellular.
“The skeleton is the support of the body” - Skeleton of protozoa. Conducted by: Higher biology teacher qualification category Melnikova Nina Nikolaevna. What advantages does having a skeleton give animals? SKELETON External internal. Topic: The skeleton is the support of the body. Check of knowledge.
“Metabolism in the body” - Mutual transformation of substances in the body. Breakdown of carbohydrates. How is energy transformed in a living organism? Mechanical. The body's use of the positive components of these transformations. Balanced diet. How much do you need to eat to live? Thermal. Breakdown of fats. The body's use of water.
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What is the biosphere, what components does it consist of? Scheme of distribution of living organisms in the biosphere
The biosphere is a set of parts of the earth’s shell (litho-, hydro- and atmosphere), which is populated by living organisms, is under their influence and is occupied by the products of their vital activity. The term "biosphere" was coined by the Austrian geologist Eduard Suess in 1875. Vernadsky made a great contribution to the development of the doctrine of the biosphere.
The biosphere consists of living, or biotic, and nonliving, or abiotic, components. The biotic component is the entire set of living organisms (according to Vernadsky - “living matter”). An abiotic component is a combination of energy, water, certain chemical elements and other inorganic conditions in which living organisms exist.
Rice. 1.
Living nature is the main feature of the manifestation of the biosphere; it sharply distinguishes it from other earthly shells. The structure of the biosphere is primarily and most characterized by life. This most powerful geological force, the living matter of the planet, is a collection of very fragile and delicate living organisms, whose mass constitutes an insignificant part of the biosphere they created.
If living matter is evenly distributed over the surface of our planet, it will cover it with a layer only 2 cm thick.
The chemical composition of the elements of the living matter of our planet is characterized by the predominance of a few elements: hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen are the main elements of the earth's living matter and are therefore called biophilic. Their atoms create complex molecules in living organisms in combination with water and mineral salts.
The living substances of our planet exist in the form of a huge variety of organisms with their own individual characteristics, of various shapes and sizes. Among living organisms there are the smallest microorganisms and large multicellular animals and plants. Sizes range from micrometers (small bacteria, ciliates) to tens of meters.
The population of the biosphere is also extremely diverse in species and morphology. Calculations of the number of species inhabiting our planet have been carried out by various authors, but they can still be considered only approximate.
According to modern estimates, there are about 3 million species of organisms on Earth, of which plants account for 500 thousand species, and animals account for 2.5 million species. Since the time of Aristotle, the entire organic world of our planet has traditionally been divided into plants and animals. Currently, thanks to the study of the structure of the organization of living beings, it is possible to carry out a more advanced classification than was previously possible.
Living matter, according to V.I. Vernadsky, “spreads over the earth’s surface and exerts a certain pressure on the environment, bypasses obstacles that impede its progress, or takes possession of them, covers them.” The internal energy produced by life manifests itself in the transfer of chemical elements and in the creation of new bodies from them. According to V.I. Vernadsky, the geochemical energy of life is expressed in the movement of living organisms through reproduction, which occurs continuously in the biosphere. The reproduction of organisms produces the “pressure of life,” or the “pressure of life.” In this regard, a struggle arises between organisms for space, food, and especially “for gas,” the free oxygen needed for breathing.
In this case, biogenic migration of atoms occurs: atoms captured by plants pass to herbivores, then to predators that feed on herbivores. Dead plants and animals serve as food for microorganisms, and the minerals released by microorganisms as a result of their vital activity are again consumed by plants. Only a small percentage of atoms fall out of this biological cycle. These biogenic atoms released from the life process end up in inert (non-living) nature, thereby playing a huge role in the history of the biosphere.
The reproduction process stops only when there is a lack of oxygen in the environment, low temperatures and a lack of habitat for new organisms.
IN AND. Vernadsky calculated the time required for various organisms to “capture” the surface of the planet.
Thus, he concluded that small organisms reproduce faster than large ones, and domestic animals reproduce faster than wild ones.
Distribution of living matter
“To be alive,” noted V.I. Vernadsky means to be organized.” Over the billions of years of existence of the biosphere, organization is created and maintained through the activities of living organisms.
Living nature is the main feature of the manifestation of the biosphere; it sharply distinguishes it from other earthly shells. The structure of the biosphere is primarily and most characterized by life. This most powerful geological force, the living matter of the planet, is a collection of very fragile and delicate living organisms, whose mass constitutes an insignificant part of the biosphere they created.
If living matter is evenly distributed over the surface of our planet, it will cover it with a layer only 2 cm thick.
The chemical composition of the elements of the living matter of our planet is characterized by the predominance of a few elements: hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen are the main elements of the earth's living matter and are therefore called biophilic. Their atoms create complex molecules in living organisms in combination with water and mineral salts.
The living substances of our planet exist in the form of a huge variety of organisms with their own individual characteristics, of various shapes and sizes. Among living organisms there are the smallest microorganisms and large multicellular animals and plants. Sizes range from micrometers (small bacteria, ciliates) to tens of meters.
The population of the biosphere is also extremely diverse in species and morphology. Calculations of the number of species inhabiting our planet have been carried out by various authors, but they can still be considered only approximate.
According to modern estimates, there are about 3 million species of organisms on Earth, of which plants account for 500 thousand species, and animals account for 2.5 million species. Since the time of Aristotle, the entire organic world of our planet has traditionally been divided into plants and animals. Currently, thanks to the study of the structure of the organization of living beings, it is possible to carry out a more advanced classification than was previously possible.
Living matter, according to V.I. Vernadsky, “spreads over the earth’s surface and exerts a certain pressure on the environment, bypasses obstacles that impede its progress, or takes possession of them, covers them.” The internal energy produced by life manifests itself in the transfer of chemical elements and in the creation of new bodies from them. According to V.I. Vernadsky, the geochemical energy of life is expressed in the movement of living organisms through reproduction, which occurs continuously in the biosphere. The reproduction of organisms produces “life pressure” or “pressure of life”. In this regard, a struggle arises between organisms for space, food, and especially “for gas,” the free oxygen needed for breathing.
In this case, biogenic migration of atoms occurs: atoms captured by plants pass to herbivores, then to predators that feed on herbivores. Dead plants and animals serve as food for microorganisms, and the minerals released by microorganisms as a result of their vital activity are again consumed by plants (see TOPIC 17.3.2.1). Only a small percentage of atoms fall out of this biological cycle. These biogenic atoms released from the life process end up in inert (non-living) nature, thereby playing a huge role in the history of the biosphere.
The reproduction process stops only when there is a lack of oxygen in the environment, low temperatures and a lack of habitat for new organisms.
IN AND. Vernadsky calculated the time required for various organisms to “capture” the surface of the planet. He called it the speed of transmission of life. According to him, the possible reproduction rate will be:
For bacteria - 1.25 days;
For large algae - 379 years:
For flowering plants - 11 years;
For ciliates slippers - 67.3 days;
For chicken - 18 years;
For a domestic pig - 8 years;
For a wild pig - 56 years;
For a rat - 8 years;