1. Intro to Evolution and the Kingdoms of Life
Unit 4: The Biosphere

2. Ecology – what is it?
Scientific discipline that studies the relationships of organisms with each other and their environments.
Ecologists perform experiments
to understand why these
relationships might occur.
These experiments take place in
the biosphere.
Biosphere – portion of earth that supports life!

3. All living things are Connected
Ecosystem – all organisms living together in their physical environment
Do not have clear boundaries
Basic requirements: energy, mineral nutrients, CO2, water, oxygen, and living organisms
Energy comes from the sun
Biotic v. Abiotic factors – air, water, rocks, sand, light, and temperature

4. Ecosystem Organization
Organisms, populations, and communities
What does it mean to be a species?
Breeding usually occurs within populations
Community – only biotic components!
Often characterized by vegetation
Mate to produce fertile offspring!

5. History of Evolution Why are organisms “suited” to where they live?
Darwin recognized differences were due to heredity, but postulated the environment exerted a strong influence as well
Natural Selection – “Survival of the Fittest”
Evolution – change in genetic characteristics from one generation to many generations down the road
Finches on the Galapagos
Adaptation – inherited trait that increases an organisms chance of survival

7. Themes of Evolution Coevolution – two organisms evolve together
Artificial selection – selective breeding of organisms for certain characteristics
Evolution of resistance
Insects to pesticides – what implications might this have?
Honeycreepers beak evolved, flower for pollen on its head!

8. Domains and Kingdoms
In 1990, five kingdoms were reclassified due to the diversity in Bacteria
Domain Bacteria
Kingdom Eubacteria
Domain Archaea – difference in cell wall makeup
Kingdom Archaebacteria
Domain Eukarya – eukaryotes!
Kingdom Protista
Kingdom Fungi – are fungi considered autotrophs?
Kingdom Plantae – “lower plants,” gymnosperms, angiosperms
Kingdom Animalia – vertebrates and invertebrates
What about viruses?
Viruses – non-living
Throw in notes about

9. Eukarya

10. Worldly Adaptations Posters
In groups, you will be assigned a region: African Desert, South American Tropical Rainforest, North American Prairie, Australian Outback, Lake Baikal in Siberia, or the Alaskan Tundra
Brainstorm adaptations that plants and animals would need to have to survive in this region—write them on the top of your poster
Research actual plants and animals that live in that region
Draw pictures of the animals below your predictions
Detail respective adaptations underneath each picture