Theory question 103
Pollution(a) Explain the following terms:
(i) Population; (ii) Competition; (iii) Succession. (b)(i) State three sources of noise pollution
(ii) List two ways by which noise pollution can be reduced. (c) State three effects each of the following pollutants on humans: (i) smoke; (ii) sewage.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) Population: a group of organisms of the same species living in a particular area at a particular time.
(ii) Competition: the struggle between organisms of the same species (intraspecific) or different species (interspecific) for resources in short supply, such as food, light, water, space or mates.
(iii) Succession: the gradual, orderly replacement of one community by another in an area over time, from pioneer to a stable climax community.
(b)(i) Any three: generators; motor vehicles; aircraft; loudspeakers/music systems; factory machines; sirens; gunfire/explosions; construction and quarry work.
(ii) Any two: laws to control noise; siting airports, factories and military bases away from homes; using silencers and soundproof or low-noise machines; public education.
(c)(i) Smoke: breathing difficulties and respiratory diseases (bronchitis, asthma); irritates and damages eyes; carbon monoxide poisoning; reduces visibility, causing accidents; may cause lung cancer.
(ii) Sewage: spreads water-borne diseases (cholera, typhoid, dysentery); makes water unsafe for drinking and domestic use; offensive smell; kills fish by using up oxygen, reducing food for man; breeding site for flies and mosquitoes.
Give three effects each for smoke and sewage.