Here’s a reviewer based on the document "Population Biology":
POPULATION BIOLOGY REVIEWER
Key Concepts
Population Biology: The study of changes in species abundance over time.
Carrying Capacity (K): The maximum number of individuals a species can
support without depleting resources.
Population Growth
1. Exponential Growth (J-shaped curve)
Occurs when resources are unlimited.
Growth is rapid and continuous.
Formula: dn/ft=rn
o r: Rate of increase
o N: Population size
o t: Time
Example: Cockroaches can multiply exponentially under favorable conditions.
2. Logistic Growth (S-shaped or Sigmoidal curve)
Occurs when resources are limited.
Growth slows as the population approaches carrying capacity (K).
Density-dependent factors influence growth:
o Overcrowding → increases disease, stress, and predation.
o Food shortages → can cause population crashes.
Reproductive Strategies
Feature r-selected Species K-selected Species
Lifespan Short Long
Growth Rate Rapid Slow
Maturity Early Late
Offspring Many, small Few, large
Feature r-selected Species K-selected Species
Parental Care Low High
Adaptation Unstable environments Stable environments
Examples Insects, mosquitoes, oysters Elephants, bats, giraffes
Factors Affecting Population Growth
1. Birth Rate: Number of new individuals produced.
2. Death Rate: Number of individuals that die.
3. Immigration: Individuals entering the population.
4. Emigration: Individuals leaving the population.
Limiting Factors:
Density-dependent: Disease, competition, predation.
Density-independent: Natural disasters (fires, droughts, habitat destruction).
Case Study: Fishing to Extinction
Bluefin Tuna Crisis:
o High demand led to overfishing.
o Prices skyrocketed due to scarcity.
o Fishing industry resisted regulations despite warnings from biologists.
This reviewer summarizes the key concepts for easy recall. Let me know if you need additional
details or modifications!
Climate Change Reviewer
1. Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, which
can be natural or caused by human activities.
Global Warming: The increase in Earth’s surface temperature since the
industrial era due to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
2. The Greenhouse Effect
Natural Process: Gases trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping Earth warm.
Key Greenhouse Gases:
o Water Vapor: Most abundant greenhouse gas.
o Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Comes from burning fossil fuels and
deforestation.
o Methane (CH₂): 80 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years.
o Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): A major ozone-depleting gas.
3. Impacts of Climate Change
1. Hotter Days
o Global temperatures have increased by 1°C since pre-industrial times.
o The Philippines recorded its highest temperature (41.5°C) in 2006.
o El Niño intensifies droughts and heat waves.
2. Rising Sea Levels
o Melting glaciers and ocean expansion raise sea levels.
o The Philippines has observed a 60 cm rise, three times the global
average.
o Low-lying islands and coastal cities are at risk.
3. Extreme Weather Events
o More frequent typhoons, droughts, and floods.
o Strongest Typhoons in the Philippines (2013–2022):
Yolanda (2013) – 6,000 deaths, ₱5.8B damage.
Odette (2021) – 410 deaths, ₱915M damage.
Agaton (2022) – 224 deaths, ₱47B damage.
4. Oceans Warming and Acidifying
o Absorbs CO₂ and heat, causing:
Coral bleaching.
Stronger storms.
Threats to marine food chains.
4. Solutions to Climate Change
✔ Reduce Fossil Fuel Use – Shift to renewable energy.
✔ Reforestation – Trees absorb CO₂.
✔ Energy Efficiency – Use LED lights, efficient appliances.
✔ Sustainable Transportation – Public transit, biking, EVs.
✔ Waste Reduction – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
This reviewer summarizes the essential points for quick reference. Let me know if you need
more details!
Water Pollution Reviewer
1. What is Water Pollution?
Definition: Contamination of water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater)
due to human activities.
Causes: Industrial waste, sewage discharge, agricultural runoff, and plastic
pollution.
Natural Causes: Volcanic eruptions, algal blooms, earthquakes.
2. Types of Water Pollution
1. Surface Water Pollution – Contaminants enter lakes, rivers, and streams via
runoff.
2. Marine Pollution – Waste, sewage, and plastic debris enter oceans.
3. Groundwater Pollution – Chemicals like pesticides and fuel leak into
underground water sources.
3. Sources of Water Pollution
A. Point Sources (From a single, identifiable source)
Examples: Sewage treatment plants, factories, city storm drains.
B. Nonpoint Sources (Diffuse pollution from multiple sources)
Examples: Agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, acid rain.
4. Major Water Contaminants
Pathogens: Bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli), viruses, parasites.
Organic Substances: Detergents, pesticides, petroleum products.
Inorganic Substances: Acidity, heavy metals (lead, mercury), fertilizers.
Macroscopic Pollution: Plastic waste, trash, shipwrecks.
Thermal Pollution: Industrial cooling water increases water temperature,
reducing oxygen levels.
5. Effects of Water Pollution
Human Health: Diseases (cholera, typhoid), toxic chemical exposure.
Ecosystem Damage: Fish kills, coral bleaching, biodiversity loss.
Economic Impact: Loss of fisheries, tourism decline, increased water treatment
costs.
6. Water Pollution Control Measures
✔ Municipal Wastewater Treatment – Sewage treatment plants remove contaminants.
✔ On-Site Sanitation – Septic tanks for homes not connected to sewage systems.
✔ Industrial Wastewater Treatment – Special treatment for toxic industrial waste.
✔ Agricultural Wastewater Treatment – Managing runoff and reducing chemical use.
7. Most Polluted Rivers in the World
1. Ganges River (India) – Polluted with sewage, industrial waste, religious
offerings.
2. Citarum River (Indonesia) – Covered in plastic, toxic chemicals.
3. Yellow River (China) – High levels of industrial and agricultural waste.
4. Marilao River (Philippines) – Heavy metal pollution from industrial waste.
8. Water Pollution in the Philippines
Sources: Industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage.
Common Pollutants: Heavy metals (lead, mercury), bacteria, pesticides.
Impact: Contaminated drinking water, loss of marine biodiversity.
9. Solutions to Water Pollution
✔ Reduce Industrial Waste – Stricter regulations on factory discharges.
✔ Improve Waste Management – Proper disposal of garbage and hazardous waste.
✔ Reduce Plastic Use – Minimize single-use plastics, promote recycling.
✔ Eco-friendly Farming – Use organic fertilizers and reduce pesticide use.
This reviewer covers key points for quick reference. Let me know if you need any modifications!
Evolution, Biological Communities, and Species Interactions Reviewer
1. Evolution and Species Diversity
Evolution: Change in species over generations due to competition for resources.
Natural Selection: Traits that improve survival are passed on.
Key Contributors:
o Charles Darwin – Theory of Natural Selection.
o Charles Lyell – Fossils prove Earth is older than believed.
o Thomas Malthus – Competition for resources affects survival.
2. Mechanisms of Evolution
1. Replication (Reproduction) – Organisms pass genetic material to offspring.
2. Variation – Mutations create differences within a population.
3. Natural Selection – Fittest individuals pass on their traits.
4. Adaptation – Traits that improve survival become more common.
3. Population Growth and Limits
No species can grow indefinitely due to limiting factors:
o Competition (space, food, nesting sites).
o Predation (changes in predator or prey numbers).
o Parasitism & Disease (spread of infections).
o Climate Changes (droughts, heatwaves).
o Human Disturbances (pollution, habitat destruction).
4. Ecological Niche & Habitat
Habitat: Physical location where an organism lives.
Ecological Niche: The role a species plays in an ecosystem.
o Generalists – Adapt to many environments (e.g., raccoons).
o Specialists – Thrive in specific environments (e.g., pandas).
5. Speciation (Formation of New Species)
Allopatric Speciation – Geographic barrier separates a population.
Sympatric Speciation – Occurs without geographic separation.
Peripatric Speciation – A small group separates and evolves.
Parapatric Speciation – Adjacent populations evolve differently.
6. Species Interactions
A. Predator-Prey Dynamics
Predation influences species’ life cycles, adaptations, and behavior.
Mimicry Strategies:
o Batesian Mimicry – Harmless species mimics a toxic one.
o Müllerian Mimicry – Two harmful species look alike to reinforce predator
avoidance.
B. Competition
Interspecific – Between different species.
Intraspecific – Within the same species.
Strategies to Reduce Competition:
o Territorial Behavior
o Resource Partitioning
C. Symbiosis (Close Biological Interactions)
1. Mutualism – Both species benefit (e.g., pollination).
2. Commensalism – One benefits, the other is unaffected.
3. Parasitism – One benefits at the expense of the other.
This reviewer summarizes the key points for easy recall. Let me know if you need further
details!
Biodiversity and Biomes Reviewer
Part 1: Introduction to Biodiversity
1. What is Ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
2. Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors
Abiotic Factors: Non-living components (air, temperature, moisture, light, soil).
Biotic Factors: Living organisms in an environment.
3. Biodiversity
Definition: The variety of life in an ecosystem or the entire planet.
4. Philippine Ecosystems
Forest Ecosystem – Once 70% forested, now only 24% remains due to
deforestation.
Mangrove Ecosystem – The Philippines hosts half of the world’s 70
mangrove species.
Coral Reef Ecosystem – Part of the Coral Triangle; only 5% of reefs are in
excellent condition.
Freshwater Ecosystem – Includes rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and artificial
fishponds.
Seagrass Ecosystem – Important nurseries for young marine species.
5. Species as Indicators of Ecosystem Health
Keystone Species – Crucial for food chains (e.g., coral reefs).
Sensitive Species – Disappear due to environmental changes.
Tolerant Species – Can survive in changing environments.
Endemic Species – Found only in specific regions.
Umbrella Species – Large-range species that influence entire ecosystems.
Flagship Species – Species that gain public support for conservation (e.g.,
Philippine eagle).
Part 2: Biomes
1. What is a Biome?
Definition: A large region with a specific climate, plants, and animals.
2. Types of Biomes
A. Freshwater Biome
Ponds & Lakes – Often isolated, limited biodiversity.
Streams & Rivers – Flowing water, starts from headwaters to oceans.
Wetlands – Marshes, swamps; support hydrophytic (water-loving) plants.
B. Marine Biome
Oceans – Covers 71% of Earth’s surface.
Coral Reefs – Found in shallow, warm waters; high biodiversity.
Estuaries – Where freshwater meets saltwater, highly productive ecosystems.
C. Desert Biome
Covers 20% of Earth’s surface, with rainfall less than 50 cm/year.
Soil is nutrient-rich but lacks water.
Extreme temperature variations (hot days, cold nights).
D. Forest Biome
1. Tropical Rainforest – High biodiversity, no winter, only wet/dry seasons.
2. Temperate Deciduous Forest – Found in North America, Europe, Asia; four
seasons.
3. Boreal Forest (Taiga) – Largest terrestrial biome, mostly coniferous trees.
E. Grassland Biome
Tropical Grassland (Savanna) – Found in Africa, Australia, South America,
India.
Temperate Grassland – Less rainfall, dominated by grasses, no large trees.
F. Tundra Biome
Arctic Tundra – Located near the North Pole, has permafrost (frozen soil).
Alpine Tundra – Found on mountains, no trees, well-drained soil.
This reviewer covers key points from Biodiversity and Biomes. Let me know if you need any
modifications!