1. Chapter 3
The Biosphere

2. Ecology – scientific study of the interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
Methods of study for ecology:
- Observation
- Experimentation
- Modeling

3. Levels of organization:
- Species
- Population
- Community
- Ecosystem
- Biome
- Biosphere

4. Biotic factors –
= Biological influences – any living thing with which an organism may come in contact

5. Abiotic Factors –
= Physical components of the ecosystem – any nonliving part of the environment

7. Autotrophs A.k.a. producers
Obtain energy from photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
Chemosynthesis = process in which organic compounds are produced from inorganic molecules

8. Heterotrophs
A.k.a. consumers
Obtain energy from other organisms

9. Food chain = series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten.

10. Food web = multiple food chains together.
Trophic Levels – each step in chain or web; “feeding” level