The Biosphere Chapter 3

Biosphere All life on earth and all parts of the earth where that life lives.

Ecology The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their physical environment.

Levels of Organization Individual Organism

Levels of Organization Population-all the organisms of the same species in a particular area.

Levels of Organization Community-populations of different organisms which live together in a particular area

Levels of Organization Ecosystem-all the organisms that live together in a place along with their physical environment.

Levels of Organization Biome-a group of ecosystems

Levels of Organization The Planet Earth

Biotic factor Any living part of the environment.

Abiotic factor Any nonliving part of the environment.

Ecological Methods Observation Experimentation Modeling

Mystery What are three examples of abiotic factors that might affect life in the Narrangansett Bay?

Energy, Producers, and Consumers All living things need energy to function Sunlight is the source of energy for earth Only algae, some bacteria, and plants can capture energy from the sun

Autotrophs Primary Producers-Make their own food through the process of photosynthesis.

Chemosynthesis Use chemical energy in their environment to produce organic compounds for food

Heterotrophs Consumers-must get energy from other organisms by consuming them. Animals, fungi, and many bacteria

Types of Consumers Carnivores-kill and eat other animals

Types of Consumers Herbivores-eat producers (plants) directly

Types of Consumers Omnivores-eat both plants and animals

Types of Consumers Scavengers-consume the carcasses of other animals killed by others

Types of Consumers Decomposers-feed by chemically breaking down organic matter. This process produces detritus.

Types of Consumers Detritivores-eat detritus and further break down organic matter so it can be reused

Mystery How do you think the bacterial communities on the floor of the bay might be linked to its producers and consumers?

Quiz 1. An animal which eats both plants and animals is a(n) _____________.

Quiz 2. Define Community.

Quiz 3. All the members of the same species in a particular area are known as the ______________.

Quiz 4. Ecosystems include all the biotic and ________ factors in a particular area.

Quiz 5. Organisms which break down organic material into detritus are _____________.

Quiz 6. What do scavenger eat?

Quiz 7. Describe the difference between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.

Quiz 8. Name a Biome.

Quiz 9. Distinguish between Autotroph and Heterotroph.

Quiz 10. Define Biosphere.

Bonus Name the largest animal ever to inhabit our planet.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems Food Chain-A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

Food Web A network of feeding interactions which includes several food chains.

Role of Decomposers Since most primary producers die before being eaten it is important to recycle the materials quickly. Decomposers do that.

Ecological Pyramids Show the relative amount of energy, biomass, or matter within each trophic level

Ecological Pyramids Trophic levels-the steps in a food chain Producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers Tertiary consumers

Ecological Pyramids Biomass-the total amount of living tissue within a trophic level.

Ecological Pyramids Rules 1. Producers have the most energy, biomass, and matter. 2. As you go from one trophic level to the next only 10% of the energy, biomass, matter, from the previous level is available. 3. There is a concentration of energy as you go up the pyramid.

Cycles of Matter Energy is constantly coming to earth from the sun but matter does not. Therefore matter must be recycled.

Biogeochemical Cycles Cycles which involve biological, geological, and chemical process.

The Water Cycle Water is the most important inorganic compound needed by living things.

Nutrient Cycles Carbon Cycle-living things are made up of organic compounds which all contain C.

Nutrient Cycles Nitrogen Cycle-proteins contain nitrogen and are important molecules of life.

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation-the process of taking atmospheric nitrogen and turning it into plant friendly ammonia. This is accomplished by bacteria. Denitrification-the process of converting nitrates into nitrogen gas which escapes into the atmosphere.

Nutrient Cycles Phosphorus cycle-phosphorus is essential to all living things because it is part of the DNA molecule.

Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is not abundant in the biosphere. Rocks release phosphate. Phosphate is found in the ocean.

Nutrient Limitations Primary Producers growth is limited by limiting nutrients.

Limiting Nutrients N-nitrogen Macronutrients P-phosphorus K-potassium Ca-calciummicronutrients Mg-magnesium Mn-manganese S-sulfur Fe-iron

Algal Bloom When to many nutrients enter a body of water algae may be able to over grow.

Quiz 1. A food chain always begins with _________________________.

Quiz 2. A food chain always ends with ____________________.

Quiz 3. Use these Four organisms to make a food chain. Bald eagle Trout Grasshopper Grass

Quiz 4. In an ecological pyramid the __________________ have the most matter, energy, and biomass.

Quiz 5. Originally, where does all the energy living things use come from?

Quiz 6. Describe the water cycle.

Quiz 7. What must happen to nitrogen gas before it can be used by plants?

Quiz 8. How do humans contribute to the carbon cycle?

Quiz 9. What do living things need phosphorus for?

Quiz 10. Name the three macro nutrients needed by primary producers.

Bonus Name three micro nutrients.