Ecosystems

Ecosystems An ecosystem is a community of living things interacting with the non-living parts of their environment. Example:

Ecosystems Ecosystems are made of: Biotic things and Abiotic things. We will work together to figure out the definition of these terms

Biotic (living) vs. Abiotic (non-living) In your science notebook make a t-chart that looks like this:

List all the Biotic (living) things you see in your t-chart.

List all the Abiotic (non-living) things you see in your t-chart.

Biotic vs Abiotic In your science notebook, under your t-chart define the two terms below in your own words. Biotic Abiotic

What makes something alive? Turn and talk to your shoulder partner and brainstorm a list of what makes something “living”: What are some characteristics of living things? What are some characteristics of nonliving things? What makes living things different from nonliving things?

What makes something “living” Write these 6 criteria down in your science notebook: Living things are made of cells. Living things obtain and use energy.  React to change Living things grow and develop. Living things reproduce. Living things adapt to their environment.

1. Made of Cells “Building Blocks" Organisms are made up of one or more cells. A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things. Cells = the “Building Blocks" of life.

2. Use and Need Energy All organisms need and use energy to live. Energy is the ability to do work. Sunlight is the source of energy for most living things. Plants use the energy in sunlight to make food, and animals get energy by eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants.

3. Adapted to Their Surroundings Organisms are adapted, or suited, to their surroundings. All organisms have features that help them survive in their surroundings. For example: fish have gills

4. React to Changes Organisms react to change in their surroundings. Any reaction to change is called a response. For example: A bright light may cause you to blink.

5. Reproduce Organisms produce more organisms of their own kind. Reproduction allows organisms to continue living on the earth.

6. Grow and Develop All organisms grow and develop. Living things change, or develop, during their lifetimes. One way organisms change is by growing. Living things may also change in appearance. For example: tadpoles and frogs

Summary Biologists use six characteristics to classify something as a living thing. 1. Made of Cells 2. Use and Need Energy 3. Adapted to Their Surroundings 4. React to Changes 5. Reproduce 6. Grow and Develop All living things display all of the above characteristics.

Ecosystems As we watch the video clip from Planet Earth make a list of all the biotic and abiotic factors in the ecosystems.

END of Day 1

How do living things get energy? One of the criteria for being “alive” is to obtain energy… How does a plant get energy? How does a grasshopper get energy? How do we get energy?

Energy Exchange Game You will be assigned a biotic organism in an ecosystem and will have to obtain energy to live.

Ecosystem Energy (Food Chain) A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. Where does the food chain always start? Where does that first organism get its energy?

Example Food Chain

Energy In Food Chain A food chain always starts with producers. The energy in a food chain comes from the producers who make their own food from the sun! As you go up the food chain, energy goes down because there are less organisms at the top.

Producers vs Consumers A producer is an organism that can make it’s own food such as plants, trees and algae

Producer vs Consumer A consumer is an organism that must eat another organism to get energy.

Types of Consumers

Types of Consumers Primary Consumer- Eats Plants also known as a herbivore (only eats plants) Secondary Consumer- Eats primary consumers and sometimes plants… also called omnivore (eats plants and animals) Tertiary Consumer- Eats secondary consumers also called carnivore (only eats meat)

Types of Consumers

Trophic Level The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain. First Level are all the producers, second Level Primary Consumers Energy Decreases as you go up food chain!

Make a list of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers:

Review Producer Consumer Food Chain/Web shows… Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Herbavore Omnivore Carnivore Trophic Level and Energy Amount

Make a Food Chain