Unit 3 Ecology Chapters 3-6

SB4. Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within their ecosystems. Investigate the relationships among organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. Explain the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems by Arranging components of a food chain according to energy flow.

Comparing the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid. Explaining the need for cycling of major nutrients (C, O, H, N, P). Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems.

Assess and explain human activities that influence and modify the environment such as global warming, population growth, pesticide use, and water and power consumption. Relate plant adaptations, including tropisms, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions. Relate animal adaptations, including behaviors, the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions.

Chapter 3 Section 1: The Biosphere Ecology: the study of interactions among organisms & between an organism & its environment. Organisms are interdependent on one another & their environment

Levels of Organization (Ecology) Species  ______________  Communities  _____________  Biome Example: Deer  Group of Deer  Deer, Rabbits, & Birds  Deer, Rabbit, Birds, Rocks, Water & trees  Aquatic & terrestrial ecosystems

Ecological Methods of Study There are 3 main methods of research  1) Observing  2) Experimenting  3) Modeling

Chapter 3 Section 2: Energy Flow ____________ is the main energy source for life on Earth. Some types of organisms rely on energy stored in inorganic__________ compounds. They make their food by _____________. Example: Bacteria in underwater vents

Producers vs. Consumers Organisms that make their own food are ___________ or ___________. Organisms that can’t make their own food are ____________ or _____________.

There are 5 main types of consumers:  Herbivores  only eat __________  Carnivores  only eat __________  Omnivores  eat both __________& __________.  Detritivores  eat plant & animal ___________.  Decomposers  Break down organic matter.

Biology Inquiry Project Rubric Objective: Research a specific topic and complete an informative essay about the environmental issue. Requirements:  The essay should be a minimum of 2 pages typed.  It can be double spaced but needs to be size 12 font in Times New Roman style.  Your essay should also include a works cited page listing your sources. (This page is not included in your minimum of 2 pages.)

Guidelines: Your essay should include the following:  An explanation of the topic/issue to be covered in the essay  Background information about the topic  Examples of the topic/issue (minimum of 2)  Your opinion about the topic/issue.  Conclusion about topic/issue Due October 18th

How Ecosystems Work: Food Chains

Energy flows through an ecosystem in _______ direction. Sun  Producer  Consumers The energy stored by producers can be passed through an ecosystem along a ________ ________  a series of steps in which an organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

A ________ ______ is a complex system of many food chains that links an ecosystem together. Each step in a food chain or food web is called a ________ ________. Producers make up the ________ trophic level.

Ecological Pyramids There are 3 main types of pyramids Energy Pyramid Biomass Pyramid Pyramid of Numbers

Only ________ of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level. The other ________ is used up by the organisms that are eaten  breathing, reproduction, etc.

Cycles of Matter Unlike energy, matter is ___________ within and between ecosystems in Biogeochemical Cycles. Examples:  Water  Nitrogen  Phosphorus  Carbon

The Water Cycle The process by which water moves through the ocean, atmosphere, and land. It includes ______________,_____________, ______________, &______________. (along with root uptake and runoff)

The Water Cycle Evaporation: the process by which water changes from ________ to ________.  Transpiration: the process by which water evaporated from the leaves of plants. Condensation: the process by which water changes from________ to __________.

Nutrient Cycles: 1) 2) 3)

Every living organism needs nutrients to build tissue & carry out essential life functions. Nutrients are passed throughout an ecosystem by biogeochemical cycles

The Carbon Cycle (Highlights)

Carbon Cycle Earth to Atmosphere  _____________  __________________________ Atmosphere to Earth  ______________ Earth to Fossil Fuels  _______________  _________________________

The Nitrogen Cycle

Atmosphere to Earth  ______________  Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert N 2 Gas to NH 4 which plants and other organisms can use Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are the only organisms that can use N 2 directly Earth to Atmosphere  _____________  Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert NH 4 back to N 2 Gas

The Phosphorus Cycle (Highlights) Phosphorus is essential because it is a key component of DNA and RNA Found primarily found in rocks & sediments Does not enter the atmosphere

The Phosphorus Cycle (Highlights) In the ground, phosphorus exist as inorganic phosphate. As rocks wear away, phosphate is released On land, phosphate cycles between organisms & the soil.  Plants absorb the phosphate from the soil & bind it to organic compounds that can be used by consumers.

Nutrient Limitation The primary productivity of an ecosystem is controlled by the amount of available nutrients. When an ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient it is called a limiting nutrient Example: Nitrogen or Iron in aquatic ecosystems

Key Vocabulary for Quiz Test Wednesday Ecology Autotroph Chemosynthesis Heterotroph Omnivore Carnivore Herbivore Biomass Food Web Evaporation

Chapter 3 Vocabulary Review

1. Organisms that eat only plants.

2. The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment

3. Consumers that eat only meat.

4. The process by which organisms use chemicals to produce their own food.

5. Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

6. A complex group of many food chains within an ecosystem

7. The process by which water changes from liquid form to a gas form.

8. Organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms.

9. Organisms that obtain energy from sunlight to produce their own food.

10. The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level

EOCT Review Questions Woo Hoo!!

. Which of the following explains why elements, such as carbon and oxygen, that are used in organic molecules are not permanently removed from the environment? A. They are replenished by sunlight. B. They are cycled through ecosystems. C. They are replaced by volcanic eruptions. D. They are produced constantly from nutrients.

During the fall reproductive season, the belly of a male brook trout becomes bright orange. The orange belly provides some camouflage and helps attract females. This trait evolved in brook trout because, compared to males with pale bellies, males with bright orange bellies are more likely to A. live in good habitats. B. be eaten by predators. C. mate with other species of fish. D. fertilize eggs to produce offspring.

4. Which of the following correctly explains how atmospheric nitrogen is converted to nitrogen compounds used by living organisms? A. Sunlight converts atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by protists. B. Plant leaves convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by animals. C. Bacteria in soil convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by plants. D. Invertebrate animals in soil convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form usable by fungi.

Unlike other animals, mammals can perspire. The main benefit of perspiring is that it — A. removes extra water from the cells B. cools the skin with evaporation C. removes dirt from the surface of the skin D. relaxes the muscles