1. Unit 8 Notes: Ecology Basics

2. (1) Ecology
The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Interactions:
Eating / Hunting
Assisting / Symbiotic
Reproduction

3. (2) Levels of Organization
Population: A group of organisms, all the same species, who live in a specific area.
Community: Multiple populations of different species, who live in a specific area.
Ecosystem: The collection of all organisms within a specific area.
Biome: All of the living systems on this planet.

5. (3) Ecosystem Roles
Producers: Organisms who convert inorganic compounds (sunlight / chemicals) into useful energy storing compounds for all other organisms.
Consumers: Organisms who rely on energy storing compounds made by Producers.

6. (4) Producers Also called autotrophs.
How They Produce Energy-Storing Molecules:
Photosynthesis  Convert sunlight into sugars
Chemosynthesis  Convert hydrogen sulfide and oxygen into energy storing sulfur compounds.

9. (5) Consumers Also called heterotrophs. Types:
Herbivores: Obtain energy by eating only plants.
Carnivores: Obtain energy by eating only animals.
Omnivores: Obtain energy by eating both plants and animals.
Detritivores: Obtain energy by eating dead plant and animal matter (called detritus).
Decomposers: Obtain energy after metabolizing dead plant and animal matter.

11. (6) Energy In Ecosystems
The sun is the ultimate source of energy for ALL living things on Earth.
Consumers rely 100% on Producers to convert the sun’s energy into a useable form.
Animals need to eat in order to gain the Sun’s converted energy!