Man was created in order to live in harmony withnature. No wonder she surrounds us everywhere. Plants, animals, surface and groundwater are not all components of nature. Conventionally, scientists are divided into two classes - animate and inanimate nature.
Identify what the environment refers tothe first class, and that to the second, a number of certain signs will help. For example, living organisms can grow and develop. At the same time, their size and shape can vary. Also, living organisms carry genetic information and reproduce their own kind.
Non-living nature is a collectionsubstance (which can be liquid, solid or gaseous) and fields. These components (matter and field) must necessarily have energy. Another distinguishing feature of the inanimate nature is the presence of several structural levels. The structural levels should be understood as the aggregate of elementary particles, atoms, and other chemical elements.
Unlike living, non-living nature does notis subject to age, temperature or other changes. The basic principle of inanimate nature is the least action. Systems of inanimate nature constantly seek to obtain the most stable state. In this case, each body takes a form in which the energy expenditure is minimal.
We must not forget that the living and the lifelessnature are in a fairly close relationship, which studies such a science as ecology. An example of such a relationship is the effect of the sun on living organisms. Scientists have proved that it serves not only as a source of nutrition for living organisms, but also serves as a warming function, which is important for plants, land, and air.
It is interesting that every living organism isunder the direct influence of factors of inanimate nature. They are called abiotic in science. They are nothing more than a combination of climatic conditions that affect the environment. It is important to note that the impact can be both positive and negative. A vivid example of the destructive power of nature is drought or excessive precipitation.
Let us consider in more detail how inanimate naturecan affect living organisms. One of the most influential abiotic factors is temperature, humidity and light. Many chemical processes in a living organism depend on temperature. This especially applies to plants and animals that are unable to maintain a constant body temperature. Strong frosts, cold are the main and most unpredictable "enemies" of living organisms.
But it is interesting that inanimate nature in winter (even whenvery low air temperature) does not die, but only slightly transformed. For example, at this time of year the sun goes down and occupies the lowest position in the sky.
The role of humidity for terrestrial organisms is sufficientit is difficult to overestimate. Suffice it to say that its deficiency often becomes the reason for the decline in vital activity. Proceeding from this, maintaining a certain level of water in the body is the key task of all living things.
An important factor of inanimate natureis the light, without which many plants (especially photophilic) simply perish. In addition, light helps in the implementation of processes that are important to life. Thanks to the action of ultraviolet rays, the living organism receives the vitamin D necessary for life.
Do not forget about the negative phenomena,which are found in inanimate nature. These include a thaw, snowfall, snowstorm. They not only adversely affect all life around, but can also cause serious negative consequences.
