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Explain how the following abiotic factors affect living organisms (i)Wind (ii)Temperature (iii)Light (iv)Humidity

Explain how the following abiotic factors affect living organisms
(i)Wind
(ii)Temperature
(iii)Light
(iv)Humidity

Answers

Eric
(i) Wind
-this influences rate of water evaporation from organisms
- therefore it affects distribution of organisms e.g. wind increases rate of transpiration and
evaporation of water from the soil
-wind is an agent of soil erosion, may break and uproot trees
- may aid in the formation of sand dunes which can form habitats for some desert plants
-wind disperses fruits, seeds, spores
- wind forms waves in lakes and oceans which enhances aeration of water which
replenishes oxygen concentration necessary for life
- wind is an agent of pollination

(ii)Temperature
-influences rate of enzyme action in photosynthesis and other metabolic reactions in plants
and animals
- organisms function within a narrow range of temperature
- it affects distribution of organisms
- changes in temperature affect rate of photosynthesis and biochemical reactions e.g.
metabolism and enzyme reaction
-temperature increases rate of transpiration

(iii)Light
-needed by green plants and photosynthetic bacteria which are primary producers
-animals depend on plants directly or indirectly for food
- main source of light is the sun
-light is necessary for synthesis of vitamin D in certain animals
-some plants need light for flowering
- seeds like lettuce need light for germination

(iv)Humidity
-amount of water vapour held by the air
- affects the rate at which water is lost from organisms body by evaporation and stomatal
transpiration
- when humidity is low the rate of transpiration increases
- humidity influences distribution of organisms
ericmunguti answered the question on October 5, 2018 at 06:31

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