Is there really a circle of life?

I. Ecology A. Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. Two parts of an environment Biotic factors- all living things Abiotic factors- all non-living things (ex.-soil, water, light, temperature)

Abiotic and Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors Biotic Factors ECOSYSTEM

II. Organization in the Environment 6 Levels Individual Organism Population- group of similar organisims Community- different populations Ecosystem- community and abiotic factors Biome- all ecosystems within specific climate Biosphere – part of the earth where all life exists

Ecological Levels of Organization

The World’s Major Land Biomes Tropical rain forest Temperate grassland Temperate forest Tundra Tropical dry forest Desert Northwestern coniferous forest Mountains and ice caps Tropical savanna Temperate woodland and shrubland Boreal forest (Taiga)

III. All Living Things Need Energy Producers- use sunlight to make food (plants and some protists) Consumers- eat other organisms for food Herbivore – eat producers Carnivore – eat meat Omnivore – eat meat and producers Scavenger – feed on dead animals Decomposers- break down dead organisms (fungi and some bacteria - recycle nutrients)

IV. Organization of Energy Flow Food Chain – shows direct flow of energy

IV. Organization of Energy Flow Food Chain – shows direct flow of energy Food Web – more complex; organisms have more than one food source

A Food Web

IV. Organization of Energy Flow Food Chain – shows direct flow of energy Food Web – more complex; organisms have more than one food source Energy pyramid – there is a loss of energy in each step of the food chain/web

D. Habitat – the environment in which an organism lives E. Niche- the role an organism plays in its habitat Decomposers- break down the remains of dead organisms Producers provide oxygen in the atmosphere Algae provides the base of marine food chains

IV. Types of Interactions Interactions with the Environment Limiting factors – scarce resources (ex: not enough food, water, or living space

B. Interactions Among Organisms Competition- two or more organisms try to use the same resource

Interactions Among Organisms Competition- two or more organisms try to use the same resource Predator/Prey – When one organism eats another

Interactions Among Organisms Competition- two or more organisms try to use the same resource Predator/Prey – When one organism eats another Symbiosis- a close long term relationship between two or more organisms

Symbiosis 1. Mutualism – both benefit

1. Mutualism – both benefit

Interactions Among Organisms Competition- two or more organisms try to use the same resource Predator/Prey – When one organism eats another Symbiosis- a close long term relationship between two or more organisms 1. Mutualism – both benefit

2. Parasitism – one benefits while the other is harmed

Parasite Host

Interactions Among Organisms Competition- two or more organisms try to use the same resource Predator/Prey – When one organism eats another Symbiosis- a close long term relationship between two or more organisms 1. Mutualism – both benefit 2. Parasitism – one benefits while the other is harmed

3. Commensalism – when one benefits and the other is unaffected

3. Commensalism – when one benefits and the other is unaffected

What symbiotic relationship is this? Boxer Crab & Anemones This Boxer Crab carries a pair of stinging anemones in its claws, which it uses to defend itself from predators. The anemones get to move around which increases their food supply. mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

What symbiotic relationship is this? Loa Loa Worm & Human This worm infects human the blood stream and gets a nice warm safe home there. The human may go blind or have other complications as a result. What symbiotic relationship is this? parasitism

Goby and Alpheid Shrimp This alpheid shrimp (on the right) uses its strong claws like a bulldozer to create a burrow in the sand. The shrimp is nearly blind. It relies upon its partner, the sharp-eyed goby, to warn of danger. When a potential predator approaches, both animals disappear quickly into the burrow mutualism What symbiotic relationship is this?

Hummingbird Moth & Flower mutualism This hummingbird moth is drinking the nectar of a flower. The flower gets pollinated (the moth brings pollen from other flowers) and the moth gets a tasty meal. What symbiotic relationship is this?