The study of the interaction of living things with their environment. Ecology The study of the interaction of living things with their environment.

Ecosystem Biotic (Living) Factors Abiotic (Non-Living) Factors Bacteria Protists Plants Animals Fungi Abiotic (Non-Living) Factors Water Gases Weather Temperature Soil

Levels of Organization Most inclusive Most Exclusive Biosphere Ecosystem Community Population Organism Organ system Organ Tissue Cell

The Ecosystem Habitat ~ Area in which a particular organism lives (where an organism lives). Niche (pronounced “nitch”)~ The job an organism carries out in its ecosystem (how an organism lives).

Obtaining Food Autotroph: make their food Heterotroph: eat Producer Ex. Plant Heterotroph: eat Decomposer Ex. Bacteria Consumer Herbivore: eat autotrophs Ex. Cow Carnivore: eat heterotrophs Ex. Lion Omnivore: eat both Ex. Humans Scavenger: eat leftovers

The Sun Source of all energy in the biosphere.

Grass→Rabbit→Fox→Mountain Lion Food Chain: A series of steps in an ecosystem showing the TRANSFER OF ENERGY (represented by an arrow) by organisms First Step ~ Producers Primary consumer (1°) Secondary consumer (2°) Tertiary consumer (3°) Grass→Rabbit→Fox→Mountain Lion

Ecological Pyramid Trophic Levels: different levels in the food chain 10% Rule: only 10% of the energy in an organism can be passed to the organism consuming it, the other 90% is lost as heat

Which way would the arrow go? Zebra Lion Koala Bear Leaf

Which way would the arrow go?

Food Web Shows all of the possible food chains in an ecosystem. Arrows always point toward the consumer (the direction of energy flow). Identify two possible food chains shown.

Food Web Activity Look at the card you picked up and decide whether your organism is a producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer or decomposer. When you are called place your organism in the appropriate place on the food web.

Relationships Between Populations Symbiosis: a relationship in which two organisms LIVE closely together Mutualism: when both organisms benefit + + Commensalism: when one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed + o Parasitism (Parasite-host): when one organism benefits and the other is harmed + - Predation (not a symbiotic relationship) Predator: does the eating Prey: organism that is eaten

Predator-Prey Populations Growth in prey population will lead to growth in predator population. Growth in predator population leads to decrease in prey population.

Predation and Evolution Prey populations have high pressure from natural selection. Adaptations that increase survival are favored: needles on cacti, spines on sea urchins, poisonous skin secretions on frogs, evasion behaviors. In turn, adaptations that provide predator advantage are favored: claws, stronger beaks on birds for cracking hard shells.

Prey Protection: how prey protect themselves from predators Warning coloration Camouflage Mimicry

Warning Coloration Brightly colored or patterned animals are usually poisonous. Their bright colors are a warning to potential predators.

Camouflage An animal’s fur or skin blend in with its surroundings. Predators can more easily sneak up on prey. Prey are harder to find, and can evade predators.

Mimicry Animal looks like a more dangerous animal.

Relationship Personal Ad Activity Choose one type of relationship (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism or predator-prey) Write a personal ad demonstrating this type of relationship. Ex: Mutualism – I am a bubble bee looking for a bright rose. I can help you pollinate and you can allow me to feed on your nectar. Call me at 1-800-BEES if interested.