Organisms and Their Environment

Why are we studying the environment? -Understanding what affects the environment is important because it’s where we live!

I. Ecology -Ecology is the study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology Biosphere (biggest group) Biome Ecosystem Community Population Organism- (smallest group)

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology 1. Biosphere-part of the Earth that supports life.

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology 2.Biomes-large group of ecosystems that share certain characteristics. Ex: Desert, Forest

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology 3. Ecosystems-made up of interacting communities. Ex: Horse eating grass, grass growing in ground.

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology -Ecosystems are made up of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology Biotic factors-living things Ex: trees, animals, bacteria Abiotic factors-non-living things Ex: sun, soil, air, water Examples of ecosystems made up of biotic and abiotic factors:

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology 4. Communities-made up of interacting populations. Ex: Deer, zebra and grass living together.

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology 5. Population-a group of organisms of one species that live in the same place at the same time. Ex: Many deer

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology ***Organisms in a population compete with each other for food, water and mates. Competition increases when these things aren’t available.

II. Levels of Organization in Ecology 6. Organism-a living thing. Ex: One deer.

III. Organisms in Ecosystems -A habitat is an organism’s place of survival.

III. Organisms in Ecosystems -A niche is the role an organism plays in its environment (how it gets food, finds shelter, and reproduces). -A niche includes all of an organism’s interactions with the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) parts of its environment. Example: A cockroach’s niche is inside a house, eating garbage.

MutualismCommensalismParasitism

Section 2.1 Summary – pages IV. Symbiosis A close and permanent relationship between two organisms is called symbiosis. Symbiosis means living together. There are three kinds of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Section 2.1 Summary – pages Section 2.1 Summary – pages Mutualism A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit is called mutualism. This little fish is helping me by cleaning my teeth!!! Yeah!!! I’m eating the big fish’s food so he’s helping me too! Yeah!!!

More Examples of Mutualism The coral reef and the algae exist in a mutualistic relationship. They supply food and shelter for each other.

Mutualism and Lichens! Lichens are made up of fungi and algae. The fungi attaches the organism to the tree and protects the algae. The algae provides food through photosynthesis.

Mutualism and flowers! Flowers provide food for insects. Insects spread the seeds of flowers. Both organisms benefit!

Section 2.1 Summary – pages Commensalism Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor benefited. In this picture, Spanish moss is growing on the trees. The moss benefits because it has a place to live, and the tree doesn’t care.

More examples of Commensalism Clownfish hide in poisonous sea anemones which protect them from larger fish. The clownfish benefit, and nothing happens to the sea anemones.

Commensalism continued… This bird, called an egret rides on the back of large mammals like elephants. The egret benefits because it gets a place to live, and the elephant doesn’t care because it does not benefit or become harmed by the relationship.

Section 2.1 Summary – pages Section 2.1 Summary – pages Parasitism Some interactions are harmful to one species, yet beneficial to another. A symbiotic relationship in which a member of one species benefits and the other species is harmed is called parasitism.

Section 2.1 Summary – pages Parasitism Parasites have evolved in such a way that they harm, but usually do not kill the host species. Tapeworms are parasites. They attach to your intestines and suck out all of your food. the tapeworm benefits, and the host is harmed because they slowly starve to death. One of the ways to get rid of a tapeworm is to starve yourself and then place a piece of meat in front of your mouth. The tapeworm will smell the meat and climb up your throat and out of your mouth.

Tapeworms continued!!!

Other parasites! A lungworm benefits while it harms the host. This is the head of a parasite. Parasites often grab on to the digestive tracts (intestines and stomachs) of their hosts.

Guinea Worm-Another parasite!

Section 2.1 Summary – pages Parasitism A predator is a type of consumer. Predators seek out and eat other organisms. Predator Prey

Parasitism Predation is found in all ecosystems and includes organisms that eat plants and animals. The animals that predators eat are called prey.