1. The study of the interaction of living things with their environment.
Ecology
The study of the interaction of living things with their environment.

2. Ecosystem Biotic (Living) Factors Abiotic (Non-Living) Factors
Bacteria
Protists
Plants
Animals
Fungi
Abiotic (Non-Living) Factors
Water
Gases
Weather
Temperature
Soil

3. Levels of Organization
Most inclusive Most Exclusive
Biosphere
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Organism
Organ system
Organ
Tissue
Cell

5. The Ecosystem
Habitat ~ Area in which a particular organism lives (where an organism lives).
Niche (pronounced “nitch”)~ The job an organism carries out in its ecosystem (how an organism lives).

6. Obtaining Food Autotroph: make their food Heterotroph: eat Producer
Ex. Plant
Heterotroph: eat
Decomposer
Ex. Bacteria
Consumer
Herbivore: eat autotrophs
Ex. Cow
Carnivore: eat heterotrophs
Ex. Lion
Omnivore: eat both
Ex. Humans
Scavenger: eat leftovers

8. The Sun
Source of all energy in the biosphere.

9. Grass→Rabbit→Fox→Mountain Lion
Food Chain: A series of steps in an ecosystem showing the TRANSFER OF ENERGY (represented by an arrow) by organisms
First Step ~ Producers
Primary consumer (1°)
Secondary consumer (2°)
Tertiary consumer (3°)
Grass→Rabbit→Fox→Mountain Lion

10. Ecological Pyramid Trophic Levels: different levels in the food chain
10% Rule: only 10% of the energy in an organism can be passed to the organism consuming it, the other 90% is lost as heat

11. Which way would the arrow go?
Zebra Lion Koala Bear Leaf

12. Which way would the arrow go?

13. Food Web Shows all of the possible food chains in an ecosystem.
Arrows always point toward the consumer (the direction of energy flow).
Identify two possible food chains shown.

14. Food Web Activity
Look at the card you picked up and decide whether your organism is a producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer or decomposer.
When you are called place your organism in the appropriate place on the food web.

15. Relationships Between Populations
Symbiosis: a relationship in which two organisms LIVE closely together
Mutualism: when both organisms benefit + +
Commensalism: when one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed + o
Parasitism (Parasite-host): when one organism benefits and the other is harmed + -
Predation (not a symbiotic relationship)
Predator: does the eating
Prey: organism that is eaten

16. Predator-Prey Populations
Growth in prey population will lead to growth in predator population. Growth in predator population leads to decrease in prey population.

17. Predation and Evolution
Prey populations have high pressure from natural selection.
Adaptations that increase survival are favored: needles on cacti, spines on sea urchins, poisonous skin secretions on frogs, evasion behaviors.
In turn, adaptations that provide predator advantage are favored: claws, stronger beaks on birds for cracking hard shells.

18. Prey Protection: how prey protect themselves from predators
Warning coloration
Camouflage
Mimicry

19. Warning Coloration
Brightly colored or patterned animals are usually poisonous. Their bright colors are a warning to potential predators.

20. Camouflage An animal’s fur or skin blend in with its surroundings.
Predators can more easily sneak up on prey.
Prey are harder to find, and can evade predators.

21. Mimicry
Animal looks like a more dangerous animal.

22. Relationship Personal Ad Activity
Choose one type of relationship (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism or predator-prey)
Write a personal ad demonstrating this type of relationship.
Ex: Mutualism – I am a bubble bee looking for a bright rose. I can help you pollinate and you can allow me to feed on your nectar. Call me at BEES if interested.