1. We give thanks to the insect world because humans and most other organisms would perish without them. Plants depend on insects for pollination & reproduction.

2. Insects turn soil and decompose dead tissue into nutrients that are taken up by plants. Humans and other land dwelling animals depend on plants for food, clothing, medicine and shelter.

3. Long-range use of insecticides backfires when insect populations develop genetic resistance, and more concentrated solutions or other insecticides must be used.

4. Oikos- house or place to live + -logos – study of = Ecology

5. Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. All organisms, both Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic, single or multi-cellular fill an important niche in an ecosystem. A loss of any species will cause a shift in the balance of an ecosystem.

6. Domain:Eukaryota Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Mammalia Order:Primates Family:Hominidae Genus:Homo Species:H. sapiens Subspecies:H. s. sapiens Scientific classification Trinomial name Homo sapiens sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeus

7. Homo sapiens sapiens (humans) are a subspecies of Homo sapiens, a bipedal primate belonging to the mammalian species. Humans have a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language and introspection.highly developedbrainreasoning languageintrospection This, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make greater use of tools than any other species. (Wikipedia) Humans are animals capable of sophisticated cultural evolution.tools

8. Humans are also noted for their desire to understand and influence the world around them, seeking to explain and manipulate natural phenomena through science, religion, philosophy and mythology. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced tools and skills; humans are the only known species to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other technologies. (Wikipedia) understand phenomenasciencereligionphilosophymythologycookclothe technologies

9. Humans are particularly adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression and the exchange of ideas. Humans create complex social structures composed of co-operating and competing groups, ranging in scale from individual families to nations, and social interaction between humans has established a variety of traditions, rituals, ethics, values, social norms, and laws which form the basis of human society. Humans also have a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which, combined with the human desire for self- expression, has led to cultural innovations such as art, literature and music. (Wikipedia )communicationco-operating competing familiesnationssocial interactionethicssocial normssocietybeautyaestheticscultural artliteraturemusic

10. Species  The exact number is not known but the best guess is 5-100 million.  1.4 million have been identified  Smallest species are microbes, the invisible rulers of the world. Included in this group are:  Bacteria  Protozoa  Fungi  Yeast

11. Microbes tend to get a “bad rep” as being menacing to our health like :infectious bacteria or germs, fungi that causes athlete’s foot and other skin diseases and protozoa that cause killer diseases such as malaria. However, most microbes are harmless and make the rest of life possible. Examples : yeast for making bread and beer Streptococcal bacteria used in making cheese Acidophilus to culture yogurt nitrogen fixing bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can take up from soil as nutrients microbes in soil that decompose waste into nutrients microbes that are sources of antibiotics microbes that control plant diseases and insect populations vectors for genetic engineering, both biological and ecological

12. The Characteristics of Life Organization - structures that are composed of chemicals - in units of "cells" Reproduction - continuing their species either asexually or sexually Metabolism - transform chemicals and energy Growth and development Respond to stimuli Adapt to their surroundings Evolution of species over time

13. Biosphere Ecosystems Communities Populations Organisms Figure 4-2b Page 57 Levels of Organization in Ecology

14. Vegetation and animals Soil Rock Biosphere Crust Core Mantle Lithosphere (crust, top of upper mantle) Hydrosphere (water) Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (Living and dead organisms) Crust (soil and rock) Figure 4-7 Page 60 Oceanic crust Continental crust Lithosphere Upper mantle Asthenosphere Lower mantle

15. Carbon cycle Phosphorus cycle Nitrogen cycle Water cycle Oxygen cycle Heat in the environment Heat Figure 4-7 Page 60 Life on Earth depends on (1) the one-way flow of energy from the sun, (2) the cycling of crucial elements, and (3) gravity which keeps atmospheric gases from escaping into space and draws chemicals downward in the matter cycles.

16. Solar radiation Energy in = Energy out Reflected by atmosphere (34%) UV radiation Absorbed by ozone Absorbed by the earth Visible light Lower stratosphere (ozone layer) Troposphere Heat Greenhouse effect Radiated by atmosphere as heat (66%) Earth Heat radiated by the earth Figure 4-8 Page 61 Energy from the sun supports photosynthesis, the process used by green plants and some bacteria to produce compounds such as carbohydrates that keep them alive and feed most other organisms. Only about one- billionth of the sun’s output of energy.