ACOS 1 Describe characteristics common to living things, including growth and development, reproduction, cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of gases, and response to the environment.

Level-1 K-W-L: Recycle Start with “K” portion and then start copying your notes and do “W” & “L” before the end of class

Ecology-the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. Ecology can also be described as the political movement that seeks to preserve and protect the environment, especially from pollution.

Biotic factors are any living component that affects another organism. Biotic factors include all plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses.

Abiotic factors are the nonliving, physical features of the environment. Abiotic factors include air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature, and climate.

The atmosphere includes all the air that surrounds Earth. Air contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.94% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases. Water is a major ingredient of the fluid inside the cells of all organisms. Most organisms are 50 percent to 95 percent water.

Soil is a mixture of mineral, rock, remains of dead organisms, water, and air. Soil is the topmost layer of the Earth’s crust and supports plant growth. Topsoil is only about 6”-12”

Sunlight is the energy source for almost all life on Earth. During photosynthesis, producers convert light energy into chemical energy.

Most organisms can survive only if their body temperatures stay within the range of 0°C to 50°C. That’s about 32 to 122 degrees F Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C. 100°C=212°F

The temperature of a region depends in part on the amount of sunlight it receives. Cities located at latitudes farther from the equator tend to have cooler temperatures. Cities located at latitudes closer to the equator tend to have warmer temperatures.

Climate refers to an area’s average weather conditions over time, including temperature, precipitation, and wind. Temperature and precipitation are the two most important components of climate.

Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Condensation is the process of changing from a gas to a liquid. Transpiration is water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts

The water cycle is a model that describes how water moves from the surface of Earth to the atmosphere and back to the surface again.

To recycle means to convert “waste” into reusable material. Lots of things can and should be recycled such as paper, plastics, glass, metal and even table scraps and rain water.

Composting is the process to convert vegetable matter into fertile soil. Composting is a great way to take kitchen scraps and make useful potting soil for free.

People often collect rainwater in order to water their plants during times when there is not enough rain. Harvested rainwater is actually better for plants than the water that we get out of the faucet.