Our Environment Mind Map

An ecosystem is a place where living things and non-living things interact with one another as a working unit.

Always mention both biotic and abiotic components when defining an ecosystem in an exam answer.

A food chain is a simple straight sequence that shows how food and energy pass from one organism to another.

When writing a food chain, always start with the producer and keep the order of feeding clear.

A food web is a network of many interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Use the word network or interconnected food chains when explaining a food web.

A trophic level is each feeding position in a food chain or food web.

Count trophic levels from producers upward when answering exam questions.

Biodegradable substances are materials that can be broken down by microorganisms into simpler substances.

Link biodegradable waste with composting, soil enrichment, and decomposers in your answer.

Non-biodegradable substances are materials that microorganisms cannot break down easily or quickly.

In exam answers, mention accumulation and long persistence, not just that the material is harmful.

Biological magnification is the gradual increase in the concentration of harmful, non-biodegradable substances at higher trophic levels in a food chain.

In answers, write the words non-biodegradable and higher trophic levels to show full understanding.

The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere that contains a high amount of ozone gas and absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun.

In exam answers, mention stratosphere, ultraviolet rays, and protection together for a complete response.

Waste segregation means separating different kinds of waste, such as wet waste, dry waste, and hazardous waste, at the place where it is produced.

If the question asks about waste management, always mention segregation at source as the first step.

Managing the garbage we produce means reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling useful items, composting biodegradable waste, and disposing of harmful waste safely.

For long answers, write the flow from source reduction to segregation, composting, recycling, and safe disposal.