Ecology or Ecology is the study of relationships between two organisms between an organism and its environment Therefore, it becomes necessary that we have an understanding of what it means to be a living organism.

Living Organisms Criteria for Life Be composed of one (unicellular) or more cells (multicellular). Contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.

Living Organisms Criteria for Life Be capable of both growth (becoming larger) and reproduction (producing offspring.) Reproduction can be: Sexual (mating between two organisms of the same species) or Asexual (offspring arise from a single parent)

Living Organisms Criteria for Life Demonstrate the ability to respond to outside stimuli. Stimulus = a change in an organism’s environment “cause” Response = how an organism reacts to change in their environment “effect” Ex. Sunflowers tend to grow facing east (response), towards sunrise (stimulus)

Living Organisms Criteria for Life Ability to adapt to the environment. Populations of living things change over time as individuals who are better adapted live longer and reproduce more Have a metabolism, meaning it both consumes energy and produces waste. Metabolism = process of your body doing cellular respiration to break down food for energy

Cells, Cells, Cells, Respond, Living Things Characteristics Song (To the tune of “Row, Row, Row your Boat”) Cells, Cells, Cells, Respond, Grow and Reproduce, Use energy, Have DNA, Adaptive Living Dudes.

Levels of Ecological Organization Organism – individual member of a species or population. Ex. One deer Population – multiple individuals of the same species living together. Ex. All of the deer in a field

Levels of Ecological Organization Community – multiple populations of different species living together. Ex. All of the birds, deer, plants, insects, squirrels, etc. in the field Ecosystem – the same size as the community level, but takes into account the abiotic factors surrounding the community. Ex. All of the living things (listed above) AND the nonliving things (temperature, precipitation, etc.)

Levels of Ecological Organization Biome – this level recognizes multiple ecosystems that share similar characteristics, such as amount of annual sunlight and precipitation, but that are located in different parts of the planet. Ex. Grassland, Tundra, Rainforest, Desert, Deciduous Forest, etc.

Levels of Ecological Organization Biosphere – this is our planet, and all of the biotic and abiotic factors on it. Ex. Earth Biotic = living Abiotic = nonliving

Organization of Life Taxonomy: the study of classification All life is organized into: Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Binomial Nomenclature: 2-name naming system by Carolus Linnaeus that names organisms after their two most specific classification levels: Genus species

Organization of Life Cladograms and Dichotomous Keys: tools used to display relationships and classify organisms using their characteristics