Chapter 6 Changes in Ecosystems

Lesson 1 are always being changed by organisms, wind, water, or other parts of the environment. Not all changes are . People can change ecosystems – building houses, throwing out garbage. These changes can affect an entire .

Zebra mussels – huge numbers can take food and space needed by other species. Those species may no longer be able to . can be harmful to the ecosystem and create pollution in the water nearby. Acid rain changes ecosystems by polluting soils and lakes.

Review What are 3 things that can change an ecosystem? Can an entire species be affected by these changes? What is one species that can take over an area?

receiving of parents genes. Inherit receiving of parents genes. Since every animal inherits a new mix of genes from its parents, every animal is different.

Mutation a change in an organisms genes. Mutations may be harmful, helpful, or neutral. Mutations are often harmful.

Structural Adaptation a body part that helps an organism survive. A frog can better avoid its enemies because of structural adaptations such as the suction cups on its toes and its green skin.

Behavioral Adaptations inherited behavior that helps animals survive. Some behavioral adaptations are called instincts. Not all behaviors are due to behavioral adaptations, some are learned.

Lesson 2 How do Species Change? Plants and animals receive or half of the genes from each parent. Ex. Dog inherits a set of genes that gave it blue eyes and brown fur. Every animal is in some way. But will have a lot of traits the same as well. Not all traits are . – growth – how much food is available. Color – flamingo born but changes color when it eats certain things. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SS0pYZRNZw

Structural adaptations Mutations can be harmful, helpful or neutral. Helpful mutations lead to . Harmful Ex. May cause and animal to no longer have the correct genes to make white blood cells. Structural adaptations Changed parts – ex. Hummingbird born with a longer beak to get more food. Behavioral adaptations Hummingbirds are born knowing how to build the kind of home they need. Often called . Some behaviors are learned as well – lion teaching their offspring how to hunt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRX2JtKFUzk

Review Plants and animals receive or inherit how much of their genes from each parent? Are any animals exactly the same? Are all traits inherited? Are most mutations harmful, helpful, or neutral? If a hummingbird is born with a longer beak that is considered what kind of adaptation? Behavioral adaptation can be called .

Pesticides a poison that kills insects. People use pesticides to limit problems that mosquitoes cause.

Extinct when there are no members of an organism left alive. One extinct animal is the dodo.

Lesson 3 How do changes cause more changes? Changes in behavior – ex. Cat might change its habits when a new puppy is brought into the home. Changes in population – mosquitoes – solution people use . Sometimes mosquitoes can and be able to still live around the pesticides. Bacteria can also adapt to medication and make it harder to get rid of.

Extinction – If a species can’t adapt and can’t get away from certain changes they may become . Ex. Dodo bird. Fossils give evidence that, in any ecosystem, some plants and animals survive well, and some do not. Humans can cause changes as well – ex. DDT caused the eagle population to decrease. http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/changes-ecosystems.htm

Review What do people use to reduce the population of insects in an area? Can organisms adapt to harmful substances in their environment and still survive? What may happen if a species can not adapt to a change in their ecosystem?