1. Unit 1: Ecology Learning Goal #1: Summarize how energy flows through an ecosystem.

2. Energy Flow At the core of every organism’s interaction with the environment is its need for energy to power life’s processes. At the core of every organism’s interaction with the environment is its need for energy to power life’s processes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_RBHfjZsUQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_RBHfjZsUQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_RBHfjZsUQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

3. Energy Flow What is energy used for? How do organisms gain energy? Energy in must EQUEAL Energy out

4. Producers Sunlight is the main energy source for life on Earth. Sunlight is the main energy source for life on Earth. Only 1% of the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth is used by living things. Only 1% of the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth is used by living things. Some types of organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic chemical Some types of organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic chemicalcompounds. Mineral water flows underground Mineral water flows underground or boils out of hot springs and or boils out of hot springs and undersea vents loaded with chemical energy.

5. Autotrophs Organisms that capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food. Organisms that capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food. Plants, some algae, and certain bacteria. Plants, some algae, and certain bacteria. Use the energy to take simple inorganic molecules and make complex organic molecules. Use the energy to take simple inorganic molecules and make complex organic molecules. Also called producers. Also called producers. They make their own food. They make their own food.

6. Photosynthesis Autotrophs use light energy to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches. Autotrophs use light energy to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches.

7. Chemosynthesis Organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. Organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. They use the chemical energy stored in chemical bonds. They use the chemical energy stored in chemical bonds. This can be done in the absence of light. This can be done in the absence of light.

8. Consumers Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply. Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply. Also called heterotrophs. Also called heterotrophs. Herbivores: Eat only plants. Herbivores: Eat only plants. Carnivores: Eat only animals Carnivores: Eat only animals Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals. Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals. Detritivores: Feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter. Detritivores: Feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter. Decomposers: Break down organic matter. Decomposers: Break down organic matter.

9. Feeding Relationships Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs and then to various heterotrophs. Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs and then to various heterotrophs.

10. Food Chain A series of steps in which an organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten. A series of steps in which an organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

11. Food Web A food web links all the food chain in an ecosystem together. A food web links all the food chain in an ecosystem together. http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/27997- assignment-discovery-the-food-web-video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/27997- assignment-discovery-the-food-web-video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/27997- assignment-discovery-the-food-web-video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/27997- assignment-discovery-the-food-web-video.htm

12. Trophic levels Each step in a food web or food chain. Each step in a food web or food chain. Producers make up the 1st trophic level. Producers make up the 1st trophic level. Consumers make up the 2nd, 3rd or higher trophic levels. Consumers make up the 2nd, 3rd or higher trophic levels. Consumers depend on the levels below them for energy. Consumers depend on the levels below them for energy.

13. Ecological Pyramids A diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within a trophic level in a food chain or food web. A diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within a trophic level in a food chain or food web. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJplkrliUEg&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJplkrliUEg&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJplkrliUEg&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

14. Energy Pyramid Only about 10 % of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level. Only about 10 % of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level.

15. Biomass Pyramid Biomass is the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level. Biomass is the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level. A biomass pyramid represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem. A biomass pyramid represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem.

16. Balance Between Energy Expended and Energy Obtained

17. Adaptations for Energy Conservation: Hibernation

18. Migration Animals travel long distances during seasons when resources are scarce. long distances during seasons when resources are scarce. Adaptations for Energy Conservation

19. Dormancy Plants loose leaves and reduce cellular functions until enough solar energy increases in spring. Adaptations for Energy Conservation

20. Energy for Food Production in Industrialized vs Non-industrialized Countries Industrialized Countries Expend more energy on food production through use of farming equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides.

21. Non-industrialized Countries Use more human and animal labor for farming.