1. Organization of Life Ecology K. Stacker
SEV2. Students will demonstrate an understanding that the Earth is one interconnected system
Element a: Describe how the abiotic components
(water, air, and energy) affect the biosphere.
Element b: Recognize and give examples of the
hierarchy of the biological entities of the biosphere (organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere).
Essential Question: Why can’t an organism survive in total isolation?

2. The Game of Life Water Food Shelter L I F E
The object of the game is to fill in the spaces under each category with words or phrases related to the topic
of LIFE.
The first space under each category has to be filled in with a word or phrase that starts with the letter ‘L’.
The second space under each category must start with the letter ‘I’ and so on.
There are no right or wrong answers in this game. If you can explain how a word or phrase relates to life
and to the category you get credit for it.
Water
Food
Shelter L I F E
10 points for words or
phrases no one has thought of.
5 points for words or phrases
someone else has thought of.
0 points for blank spaces.

3. What to Do!
When ever you see this symbol Be prepared to write. Copy Every Question & Answer

4. Why & How are living things interrelated?
What is Ecology?
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and their environment.
Why & How are living things interrelated?
All living things are interrelated because we need the same basic elements: food, water,
and shelter. We are all dependent upon one another for these needs.
What is the definition
Of Biosphere, Abiotic,
Biotic, and Ecosystem?

5. What are the 2 Types of Ecosystems?
of Aquatic Ecosystems?

6. What are the Characteristics of an Ecosystem?

7. What determines the type of ECOSYTEM that will develop?
Two of the most important things that determine the type of ecosystem that will develop in a given part of the world are temperature and precipitation (rainfall).

8. What affects the kinds of ORGANISMS that will live in a particular ECOSYSTEM?
Many other things affect what kinds of organisms will be part of the different ecosystems, such as: seasonal fires, type of soil, types of plants, wind, closeness to the sea…

9. What is The Organization of Life?
Each level of the
pyramid is linked to
those above it.
How do you know if something is living? All organisms:
Are made up of cells
Grow/develop
Adapt/change/evolve
Reproduce
Doe
For each level,
provide a definition
and an example
Deer
Deer, Elk, Wolves, Trees, Bears, Mice, Etc.
Plants/Animals + Habitats
All Ecosystems are Part of the Biosphere

10. Putting it all Together: The Organization of Life
All organisms:
Made up of Cells
Grow/develop
Adapt/change/evolve
Reproduce
Each level of the pyramid is linked to those above it.

11. What is a Habitat? Niche? What is a habitat? Where an organism lives
Shared by many species
Organism develop strategies to live and reproduce in their habitats
Can change or disappear rapidly
What is a niche?
Role a species has in its environment. “Job”
Organisms have unique strategies and structures which reduce competition with other species in the habitat
Advantageous to occupy a niche that is very different from other species in the environment - no two animals can occupy the same niche
Change is gradual (evolution)

12. What is Symbiosis? Symbiosis is a close, long-term relationship or association between two or more species (species interactions). What are the types of symbiotic relationships?
Types of
symbiosis
Definition
Helpful?
Harmful?
Neutral?
Example
Parasitism
A relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another (by living off the other) X
Dogs & ticks
Tapeworms & humans
Commensalism
A relationship in which one organism benefits and no harm comes to the other
Clownfish & Sea Anemone
Barnacles & Whales
Mutualism
A relationship in which both organisms benefit
Lichen (Moss and Algae)
E. Coli & Humans

13. Why & How are living things interrelated?
What is Ecology?
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and their environment.
Why & How are living things interrelated?
All living things are interrelated because we need the same basic elements: food, water,
and shelter. We are all dependent upon one another for these needs.
How do you know if something is living? All organisms:
Are made up of cells
Grow/develop
Adapt/change/evolve
Reproduce
What is the definition
Of Biosphere, Abiotic,
Biotic, and Ecosystem?