Introducing Sociology

• Sociology


  • The study of human behaviors
  • The scientific study of social structure
• Sociology


  • Has its own perspective which never focuses on the individual (Sociological Perspective)
• What makes sociology unique

  • A young man joins a gang
  • A woman divorces her husband
  • Teens commit suicide to escape depression
• Sociological Perspective


  Looks at why these events happen, not just the individual actions
• Sociological Perspective on events

  • Young men join gangs because they have been taught to be "masculine"
  • A woman divorces her husband due to sexual equality
  • Teens commit suicide to escape depression due to peer group expectations (performance, materials possessions, physical appearance)
• Perspective


  A particular point of view
• Sociology


  The scientific study of social structure (human social behavior)
• Sociological perspective


  A view that looks at behavior of groups, not individuals
• Social Structure


  The patterned interaction of people in social relationships
• High school social structure

  • Teacher: walk around the class, work with students, lecture, and give tests
  • Students: follow the teacher's lesson plan, make notes, and take the tests
• Sociological imagination


  The ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and events in their society (C. Wright Mills, 1959)
• Sociological imagination


  • Helps us understand the effects of events on our daily lives
  • Helps us read the newspapers with a fuller understanding of the events
  • Challenges conventional social wisdom - ideas people assume are true
• What is the main aim of the study material on tropical rainforests?

  To define the term "tropical rainforest" and other key terms
• What are the characteristics of tropical rainforests that the study material aims to identify?

  The characteristics include the diversity of plant species, structure of the rainforest, and adaptation of plants
• What are the key terms related to tropical rainforests mentioned in the study material?

  Tropical rainforest, emergent layer, canopy layer, undergrowth layer, forest floor, leaves with drip tips, buttress roots, ecosystem
• What are the main types of forests and trees discussed in the study material?

  • Temperate forests: deciduous trees
  • Tropical rainforests: evergreen trees
• What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?


  Hot and moist
• What are the three main characteristics of tropical rainforests mentioned in the study material?

  Diversity of plant species, structure of the tropical rainforest, adaptation of plants
• How many plant species are mentioned to exist in the Amazon Rainforest?

  40,000 plant species
• What types of food are produced in tropical rainforests?

  • Fruits: bananas and mangoes
  • Spices: pepper and cinnamon
  • Vegetables: capsicums and beans
  • Nuts: Brazil nuts and cashew nuts
• What is the height range of trees in tropical rainforests?

  50 to 80 meters
• What are the layers of the structure of a tropical rainforest?

  1. Emergent layer

  2. Canopy layer

  3. Undergrowth layer

  4. Forest floor
• What is the emergent layer in a tropical rainforest?

  It consists of the crowns of emergent trees that are tall, straight, and smooth with few branches
• What is the height of the canopy layer in a tropical rainforest?

  About 30 meters
• What are lianas in the context of tropical rainforests?

  Thick woody vines that can grow up to 100 meters in length
• What are epiphytes and their role in tropical rainforests?

  Plants that grow on trees and disperse seeds by wind, including ferns, orchids, mosses, and lichens
• What is the undergrowth layer in a tropical rainforest?

  The underlying layer of vegetation that is dark and has plants with larger leaves due to lack of sunlight
• What is found on the forest floor of a tropical rainforest?

  Detritus, which includes shed vegetative parts like leaves, branches, bark, and stems, and is dark, hot, and damp
• What are some examples of plants found in the tropical rainforest?

  1. Bird’s nest ferns

  2. Monkey ladder vines

  3. Orchids

  4. Fungi

  5. Stag horn fern
• What are some special adaptive features of plants in tropical rainforests?

  Bark and branches that maximize sunlight and allow rainwater to flow easily to the roots
• How do leaves adapt in tropical rainforests?

  Leaves are broad to capture sunlight and have waxy, leathery, or hairy surfaces to minimize moisture loss
• What is the purpose of leaves with drip tips in tropical rainforests?

  To allow easy water run-off
• How do fruits and flowers adapt in tropical rainforests?

  They are colorful and strong smelling to attract insects and other animals for pollination and seed dispersal
• What is pollination in the context of tropical rainforests?

  The transfer of pollen to a flower or plant to allow fertilization
• What is seed dispersal?

  The spread or transport of seeds away from the parent plant to ensure germination and survival
• How do roots adapt in tropical rainforests?

  Tall trees have buttress roots for stability and shallow roots for nutrient and water availability
• What is the purpose of buttress roots in tropical rainforests?

  • Provide stability to tall trees
  • Help in nutrient and water availability
• What is the term for a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment?

  Ecosystem
• What is biodiversity?


  The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat
• What are the animals of a particular region or habitat called?

  Fauna