Unit one of Andries Oliviers' Natural Science Grade 8 Textbook Contains: Energy in an ecosystem Soil as the basis of life Plant adaptations Adaptations of animals Natural selection

1. Life and
living things

2. Dependency
In
Ecosystems

3. The
ecosystem
Andries p 1

4. Demarcated and self-supporting stable
area in which all living organisms
(biotic) interact with their non-living,
physical environments (abiotic).
Ecosystem definition
Andries p 1

5. Andries p 1
Ecosystem definition

6. The sun as a
source of energy
in an ecosystem
Ecosystem definition
Andries p 1

7.  = main energy source on

Andries p 1

8.  energy
 Carbon dioxide
Water
To make food.
use
This is known as
Andries p 1
Photosynthesis

9. Chemical reaction inside
 cells.
Andries p 1 Photosynthesis

10. Takes place in special structures of green
cells, known as chloroplasts.
Andries p 1

11. Chloroplasts
contain
chlorophyll,
which can trap
energy.
Andries p 1 Photosynthesis

12. Chloroplasts trap light energy
Light energy Water enters leaf
Sugar leaves leaf.
Part of this is used
for cell division, the
rest is stored as
starch. Carbon dioxide enters
leaf through stomata
Andries p 1 Photosynthesis

13. When  and  breathe,they release
carbon dioxide, which is used by .
 release oxygen, which is used by .
Andries p 1

14.  purify the 
Andries p 2

15. Types of
Andries p 2
eaters

16. 1 Producers
2 Consumers
3
Andries p 2 Decomposers

17. 1
Only green plants are
called producers because
they photosynthesise.
Andries p 2

18. 2 a Primary
b Secondary
c
Andries p 2 Tertiary

19. a
Feed directly
off plants.
Called herbivores.
Andries p 2

20. b
Feed off Feed off plants
animals. and animals.
Called Called
carnivores. omnivores.
Andries p 2

21. c
Scavengers
Feed off secondary
consumers.
Andries p 2 Called carnivores.

22. Consumers use the potential for energy in
sugar in a process called respiration to
unlock energy needed to live.
Andries p 2

23. 3
Bacteria and fungi break
down the bodies of dead
plants and animals.
Called decomposers.
Andries p 2

24. Energy
flow
Andries p 3

25.  to  to 
When  and die,
their bodies are
broken up by
decomposers
Andries p 3

26. ●
Food chains
●
Food webs
●
Pyramids
Andries p 3

27. Transfer of energy and substances
needed for life, through a  to a  to
a.
Food chains
Andries p 3

28. Andries p 3

29. Where an organism feeds off more
than one organism.
Multiple food chains
Food webs
Andries p 3

30. Andries p 3

31. Individual feeding groups form
feeding levels.
Ecological pyramid
Andries p 3

32. Level 1 : Producers – manufacture food
by photosynthesis
Ecological pyramid
Andries p 3

33. Level 2 : Herbivores – eat
Also omivores and decomposers
Ecological pyramid
Andries p 3

34. Level 3 : predators, scavengers
– eat herbivores
Also omivores and decomposers
Ecological pyramid
Andries p 3

35. Level 4 : top carnivores/predators
– eat other carnivores
Also omivores and decomposers
Ecological pyramid
Andries p 3

36. Andries p 3

37. Soil is the
basis of life
Andries p 13

38. Thin
Superficial
Covering 
Plants grow
Animals live
Soil
Andries p 13

39. Andries p. 13

40. and...
Andries p. 13

41. Andries p. 13

42. Classification
of soil types
Andries p. 13

43. O – fresh and/or
partially decomposed
matter
A – provides plants
with nutrients
B – denser layer
C – original parent rock
breaks up
R - solid
Andries p. 13

44. Characteristics
of the different
soil types
Andries p. 13

45. Sand Large particles & spaces
Low water retention
Minerals dissolve and leech
Dry
Porous
Light
Not fertile
Few plants
Andries p. 13

46. Clay
Very small particles & spaces
Very little air
High water retention
Not fertile
Dry: very hard and
does not break easily
Andries p. 13

47. Loam
Mix small & large particles
Retain water, air and minerals
Fertile soil
Humus
The darker, the more fertile
Andries p. 13

48. Soil fertility
Andries p. 13

49. Soil is  in material needed to keep
❁ gro wing.
Andries p. 13 Soil fertility

50. Andries p. 13 Factors of Soil fertility

51. Humus
Andries p. 13

52. Living things
in the soil
Andries p. 14

53. ...and soil
Andries p. 13

54. ❁ grow.
Protection
Habitat
Andries p. 14

55. Form soil - weathering
Roots stabilise soil
Makes soil fertile
Roots let air in
Andries p. 14

56. Andries p. 13
...and soil

57. safety
feeding
Andries p. 14

58. Digging animals let air in
Makes soil fertile
Andries p. 14

59. Plant adaptations
In order to survive
In a habitat
Andries p. 18

60. Habitat
Andries p. 18

61. Natural environment
where living organisms
normally occur.
Andries p. 18 Habitat definition

62. Adaptations
of plants
Andries p. 18

63. 1 2 3
Xerophytes
Very dry areas Hydrophytes Mesophytes
● Absorb quickly
● Store
● Reduce losses
Tolerate
●
dehydration
Andries p. 18

64. Xerophytes:
Succulent Non-succulent
Andries p. 18

65. The aloe
Aloe transvaalensis
Andries p. 19

66. ROOTS
Widely spread
Allow absorption of
water over a large area
Shallow
Absorb dew or light rain
Layer of cork
Prevents dehydration
Thick and fleshy
Stored effectively
Andries p. 19

67. STEM
Thick and fleshy
Stores water
Older sections – cork
Youger sections – wax
Leaf base
Prevents dehydration
Grows vertically
Minimum exposure to sun,
prevents dehydration
Short
Prevents transpiration
Andries p. 19

68. LEAVES
Large, thick and fleshy
Store large amounts
Wax cover
cuticle
Limits transpiration
Rosette shape
Shadows – limit transpiration
Direct water to stem and soil
Stomata small,
few and sunken
Limit transpiration
Andries p. 19

69. Sunken stomata
Andries p. 19

70. 1 2 3
Hydrophytes
Xerophytes Very wet areas
Very dry areas 5 types: Mesophytes
● Absorb quickly ● Marsh plants
● Store ● Swamp plants
● Reduce losses ● Anchored,
● Tolerate with floating leaves
● Free-floating
dehydration
● Submerged
Andries p. 20

71. The water-lily
nymphea
Andries p. 20

72. ROOTS
Small system
Acts only as anchor, not
for water absorption
Poorly developed
Other plant parts in the
water help to absorb
salt and water
Andries p. 20

73. STEMS
No strengthening tissue
Water supports the plant
Rhizome
Flat, horisontal –
little water resistance
Water and food storage
Poor conducting tissue
No need for water
transportation
Mucous layer
Protective covering
against bacteria Buds occur
Andries p. 20 Make new plants

74. LEAVES
Large, flat, round
Float, increase
absorption surface
Stomata on surface
encourage transpiration,
gaseous exchange
Waxy cuticle on surface
Water runs off easily
No waxy cuticle below
No need to reduce water loss
Long, flexible petiole
Allows leaf to foat above water
Andries p. 21

75. LEAVES
Air chambers
Respiration,
buoyant plants –
maximise photosynthesis
Petiole and lower leaf –
mucous layer
Protective layer,
reduces friction
No strengthening
tissue in petioles
Water support leaf and petiole
Andries p. 21

76. 1 2 3
Hydrophytes
Xerophytes Very wet areas Mesophytes
Very dry areas Average amount
5 types:
● Absorb quickly ● Marsh plants
of water
● Store ● Swamp plants
Roots in the soil
● Reduce losses ● Anchored,
absorb water
Stems' strengthening
● Tolerate with floating leaves tissue hold leaves up
● Free-floating
dehydration Leaves' differing
● Submerged shapes and sizes
Andries p. 20
for photosynthesis

77. Adaptations of
animals with
regard to feeding
Andries p. 25

78. Need lots of energy for flight and
body temperature maintenance
d
o de
lo
-b
rm
maxilla
wa
mandible
Beak and feet indicate the diet
Andries p. 25

79. Herbivorous birds
Beaks are short and strong
Maxilla > mandible
Seeds are soaked in the croup
Sparrow
Four toes, ending in sharp,
slightly rounded claws
Pigeon
Andries p. 25 Walking and gripping

80. Eagle
Carnivorous birds
Owl
Strong, sharp, curved
beaks
Maxilla curves down –
sharp hook
Sides = sharp
Cut and tear
Sharp, curved, powerful
Catch & hold prey + defense
Andries p. 25

81. Duck
Omnivorous birds
What do
you see
when
you look
at the
beak/bill
of these
How do their feet differ? birds?
Why?
Crow
Andries p. 26

82. Constant body temperature needs a
lot of energy from food
Permanent teeth
Teeth for chewing
Warm blooded
Baby seal
Andries p. 27
Milk teeth

83. Andries p. 27

84. Dentition of
 2.1.2.3
2.1.2.3
Andries p. 27

85. MOLARS: Often lack
well developed incisors
– grind in upper jaws
Dentition of
 Long
digestive
systems
2.0.3.3
1.0.2.3
Andries p. 27

86. Dentition of
 Ruminators:
Partially chew
food and store
in first two
stomachs, to
be chewed again
0.0.3.3
3.1.3.3
Andries p. 28

87. h
et
te s
ng one
s tr o ff b
Dentition of
nd at o
a e
e
rg ip m

La o r
t
Cats: claws
Sharp sense of
smell, sight
3.1.4.2
and hearing
3.1.4.3
Andries p. 28

88. Dentition of

2.1.2.3
2.1.2.3
Andries p. 28

89. Different insects have
different MOUTH
PARTS
biting-chewing
chewing-sucking
piercing-sucking
sucking
licking-sucking
Andries p. 29

90. Biting-

chewing
Labrum
Mandible
Maxillae insects
Andries p. 29
Labium

91. Biting-chewing
Labrum Mandibles
Maxillae
Andries p. 30
Labium

insects

92. Licking-sucking
No mandibles and maxillae
Labium forms proboscis

insects
Andries p. 30

93. Adaptations
with regard
to predation
and protection
Andries p. 37

94. Manner in which an
 's colour or 
blends with the
environment, in order for
Shape
it to make itself as difficult
as possible to see.
Movement
Colour
Andries p. 37 Camouflage definition

95. Camouflage by imitation
of , colour and
behaviour of another
type of .
Shape
Model is usually
poisonous,
Behaviour aggressive and
conspicuous in
colour
Colour
Andries p. 37 Mimicry definition

96. Natural selection
and
adaptation
Andries p. 40

97. A group of individuals with the
same characteristics.
Andries p. 40 Population definition

98. Andries p. 40 Population definition

99. Individual organisms in a population are not
identical copies.
Andries p. 40 Variation definition

100. Andries p. 40

101. A population develops properties that will
afford them a
better chance of survival.
Andries p. 40 Natural selection

102. Factors influencing natural Over production
Continuous competition
Variation between individuals
Survival of the fittest
selection
Hereditary
Andries p. 40

103. When a habitat changes too fast, the
species may not adjust and can die.
Andries p. 41 Extinction

104. Andries p. 41

105. Textbook: Andries Olivier, Grade 8 workbook, 2012
Images: attempt has been made to cknowledge all sources,
it an image's source could not be found, it was
acknowledged as such.
Slide 1 – cairoo software
Slide 2 – Encyclopedia Brittanica
Slide 3 – Encyclopedia Brittanica
Slide 5 – ericopincar.com
Slide 6 – cairoo software
Slide 10 – scientificamerican.com
Slide 11 – forestry-learning,blogspot.com
Slide 12 courtneystanifer.edublogs.org
Slide 15 – source unknown
Slide 17 – cairoo software
Slide 19 – true-wildlife.blogspot.com
Slide 38 – cairoo software

106. Slide 20 a – unknown source
Slide 20 b – cairoo software
Slide 21 a – gardenofeden.blogspot.com
Slide 21 b – guardian.co.uk
Slide 23 – hopeful-ink.blogspot.com
Slide 28 – ejad.best.vwh.net
Slide 30 – ejad.best.vwh.net
Slide 36 – learner.org
Slide 38 – cairoo software

107. Slide 40 a – cairoo software
Slide 40 b – watersafe.co.za
Slide 40 c – cairoo software
Slide 40 d – cairoo software
Slide 40 e – diylife.com
Slide 41 a – sciencephotolibrary
Slide 41 b – nunukphotos.com
Slide 42 – photos.igougo.com
Slide 43 – en.wikipedia.org
Slide 44 – source unknown
Slide 45 – hdwallpapersdepot.com
Slide 46 – source unknown
Slide 47 – informedfarmers.com
Slide 48 – ehow.com
Slide 50 a – photographyblogger.net
Slide 50 b – gardenofeden.blogspot.com
Slide 50 c – carioo software
Slide 50 d – carioo software

108. Slide 51 – cairoo software
Slide 52 – sciencephotolibrary
Slide 53 – nunukphotos.com
Slide 56 - sciencephotolibrary
Slide 57 – cairoo software

109. Slide 59 – talkrational.org
Slide 60 – wildernesscollege.com
Slide 62 – blog.lib.umn.edu
Slide 64 a – pricklypearjuice.org
Slide 64 b – nowaterriver.comm
Slide 64 c – aloegardenwilderness.blogspot.com
Slide 64 d – picasaweb.google.com
Slide 64 e – chellem.com
Slide 64 f – kapstadt.org
Slide 66 – 68 – botany.uwc.ac.za
Slide 69 – sydney.edu.au
Slide 72 – 75 – evergreenofjohnsoncity.com
Slide 77 – fwallpapers.com
Slide 78 – birds.com
Slide 79 a –sno-kingracingpigeon.com
Slide 79 b – es.wikipedia.org

110. Slide 80 a – amjunk.blogspot.com
Slide 80 b- dreamstime.com
Slide 81 a – stanford.edu
Slide 81 b – thecomicscode.weebly.com
Slide 82 – ezwallpapers.com
Slide 83 - yummybubby.com
Slide 84 - labspace.net
Slide 85 – skullsunlimited.com
Slide 86 – qmuss.edu.hk
Slide 87 – rawdogfood.com
Slide 88 – theevolutionsotre.com
Slide 89 – nevercomeashore.blogspot.com
Slide 90 – mediastorehouse.com
Slide 91 – 13060yurac.vacau.com
Slide 92 – biology.touchspin.com
Slide 93 – conservationreport.com

111. Slide 94 – science.howstuffworks.com
Slide 95 – devpolicy.com
Slide 96 – 123rf.com
Slide 98 – cffet.net
Slide 100 a – flickr.com
Slide 100 b – sciencedaily.com
Slide 104 – paleogenetics.com