UNIT II Chapter 3 The Biosphere

I. What is Ecology A. Interactions and Interdependence 1. Ecology -scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. 2. 1866- German Biologist Ernst Haeckel coined the term Ecology (from Greek oikos, meaning “house”) Biosphere- where all life exists, land; water; air, etc. a. 8 kilometers above Earth’s surface, b. 8 kilometers below surface of the ocean 2. Interdependence of life on Earth contributes to an ever-changing, dynamic biosphere

2). Living things affected by both physical environment and by other living things a). Abiotic factors- nonliving parts of an organisms environment (air currents, temperature, light, soil, etc.)

b). Biotic factors- all living organisms that inhabit an environment

Levels of Organization 1. ecologists ask questions about events and organisms that range in complexity from a single individual to the entire living planet.

2. Species- group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring

3. Populations- group of individuals that belong to same species and live in the same area

4. Communities- group of different populations that live together in a defined area.

5. Ecosystem- collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with nonliving, or physical, environment.

6. Biomes- geographical region containing several ecosystems that have same climate and dominant communities (climax communities)

7. Biosphere- portion of the planet where life exists.

Ecological Methods 1. Regardless of the tools, modern ecological research is conducted according to 3 basic approaches Observing Experimenting Modeling. All these approaches rely on the application of scientific methods to guide ecological inquiry.

Observing- what species, what numbers, and other complex interactions Experimenting- testing hypotheses natural settings or lab (natural simulations) Modeling- explain and comprehend complex phenomena ie.. Global warming… data gathered collectively from observations and testing.

Energy Flow- 3-2 Sunlight is the main energy source for life on earth a. Of all sun reaching Earths surface… 0.1% is used by living things b. ½ of 0.1% is used for photosynthesis purpose and the other ½ is used for producing ATP (energy compound) . 2. Some organisms rely on the energy stored inside inorganic chemical compounds 3. Autotrophs/Producers- have the ability to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to make food (usually glucose)

a. Only plants, some algae, certain bacteria Plants algae and bacteria have chlorophyll Chemical synthesis also occurs in the deep ocean were light is unavailable

Energy from the sun- Photosynthesis a. use light (solar) energy to power chemical reactions that convert C02 and H2O into O2 and energy rich carbohydrates (sugars and starches) b. CO2 + H2O ---- O2 + C6H12O6 c. Principal autotrophs * Land-Plants * Freshwater and upper layers of ocean- algae * Salt marshes and tidal flats- cynobacteria (cyno-blue)

Life without light- chemosynthesis- use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates a. Some autotrophs produce food in the absence of light b. Convert H2S into chemical energy c. Principal chemosynthesis 1). Performed by several types of bacteria 2Tidal marshes in remote places: volcanic vents, deep-ocean vents, hot springs

Consumers/Heterotrophs 1. organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply a. Herbivores- obtain energy by eating only plants b. Carnivores- eat animals (snakes, dogs, owls, etc.) c. Omnivores- eat both plants and animals (e.g. humans) d. Detritivores- animal and plant remains Dead material = detritus Decomposers…bacteria and fungi

3. Feeding Relationships a. Energy flows through ecosystem in one direction (from sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) and then to various heterotrophs (consumers) 1). Food chains- series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

1). Food Web- feeding relationship among the various organisms in an ecosystem from a network of complex interactions. 2).Trophic levels- each step in food chain or web a. Diagram Producers make up first level, then consumers

D. Ecological pyramids 1. Ecological pyramids- diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or web. 2. Energy pyramid- only part of the energy that is passed onto each trophic level a. As a general rule only about 10% of the energy that is available within a trophic level is available to organisms at the next trophic level. The rest is lost as heat into the environment.

The more steps that exist between a producer and a top level consumer in an ecosystem, the less energy that remains from the original amount captured. 1/10th solar energy captured by grasses ends in stored in cow’s tissues. 1/10th of the cows stored energy is transferred to humans etc…

3. Biomass pyramid- amount of living tissue within a given trophic level. Expressed in grams of organic matter/unit area Represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem. (biomass- grams of organic matter per unit area)

Pyramid of numbers- expresses number of individual organisms at each trophic level. Doesn’t always take on a traditional pyramid shape because of the size of organisms contributing to any one category

III. Cycles of Matter- unlike energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems A. Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems; it is not used up but transformed B. Matter and nutrients move by way of biogeochemical cycles.

1. The Water Cycle a. precipitation- movement of water in the form of rain, sleet , or snow from the atmosphere to the earth b. evaporation- movement of water in the form of vapor from the earth to the atmosphere c. transpiration- movement of water in the form of vapor from plants to the atmosphere

d. runoff- movement of water along the surface of the ground e. seepage- movement of water into the soil

2. Nutrient cycles- cycling of nutrients (minerals and other chemicals) that sustain life. a. Nutrients are frequently in short supply b. Nutrient cycling keeps many chemicals from reaching toxic concentrations c. Three main nutrient cycles

1). Carbon cycle a. key ingredient in all living things. b. Less than 1% actively circulates c. Created by biological processes- photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and burning of fossil fuels.

Geochemical processes- release CO2 by volcanoes

Mixed biogeochemical- burial of carbon-rich remains and conversions into coal and fossil fuels by pressure of overlying earth

Human activity- mining, burning of fossil fuels, cutting down/burning forests

2). Nitrogen cycle- a. all organisms require nitrogen to make amino acids (which are used to make proteins) b. Makes up 78% atmosphere c. Ammonia, nitrate ions, and nitrite ions are found in waste products

d. Certain bacteria that live in the soil and on roots covert N 2 into NH 3 thru the process called nitrogen fixation.

e. Decomposers return nitrogen to the soil as ammonia when organisms die

f. Bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas in a process called denitrification, which releases it into the atmosphere

3). Phosphorus cycle- essential because forms part of ATP molecule needed by all living things a). Important part of DNA and RNA b). Does not enter the atmosphere; remains in rock, minerals, & ocean sediment until released thru weathering and erosion.

a. Primary productivity is the rate at which produces create matter 4. Nutrient limitation a. Primary productivity is the rate at which produces create matter b. Limiting nutrient is scarce or cycles slowly; limits the growth of organisms in an ecosystem Extensive bloom of green algae covers the shoreline of Tule Lake in California

Chapter 3 The Biosphere

The branch of biology dealing with interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment is called a. economy. b. modeling. c. recycling. d. ecology.

The branch of biology dealing with interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment is called a. economy. b. modeling. c. recycling. d. ecology.

The part of Earth in which all living things exist is called the a. biome. b. community. c. ecosystem. d. biosphere.

The part of Earth in which all living things exist is called the a. biome. b. community. c. ecosystem. d. biosphere.

All of the members of a particular species that live in one area are called a(an) a. biome. b. population. c. community. d. ecosystem.

All of the members of a particular species that live in one area are called a(an) a. biome. b. population. c. community. d. ecosystem.

Green plants are a. producers. b. consumers. c. herbivores. d. omnivores.

Green plants are a. producers. b. consumers. c. herbivores. d. omnivores.

What is the original source of almost all the energy in most ecosystems? a. carbohydrates b. sunlight c. water d. carbon

What is the original source of almost all the energy in most ecosystems? a. carbohydrates b. sunlight c. water d. carbon

The algae at the beginning of the food chain in Figure 3-1 are a. consumers. b. decomposers. c. producers. d. heterotrophs.

The algae at the beginning of the food chain in Figure 3-1 are a. consumers. b. decomposers. c. producers. d. heterotrophs.

An organism that produces its own food supply from inorganic compounds is called a(an) a. heterotroph. b. consumer. c. detritivore. d. autotroph.

An organism that produces its own food supply from inorganic compounds is called a(an) a. heterotroph. b. consumer. c. detritivore. d. autotroph.

Which of the following organisms does NOT require sunlight to live? a. chemosynthetic bacteria b. algae c. trees d. photosynthetic bacteria

Which of the following organisms does NOT require sunlight to live? a. chemosynthetic bacteria b. algae c. trees d. photosynthetic bacteria

An organism that cannot make its own food is called a(an) a. heterotroph. b. chemotroph. c. autotroph. d. producer.

An organism that cannot make its own food is called a(an) a. heterotroph. b. chemotroph. c. autotroph. d. producer.

In which way are green plants in a sunny mountain meadow and sulfur bacteria in a deep-sea volcanic vent alike? a. They both use photosynthesis to make their own food. b. They both produce carbohydrates and oxygen c. They both use chemosynthesis to produce their own food. d. They both produce carbon and hydrogen.

In which way are green plants in a sunny mountain meadow and sulfur bacteria in a deep-sea volcanic vent alike? a. They both use photosynthesis to make their own food. b. They both produce carbohydrates and oxygen c. They both use chemosynthesis to produce their own food. d. They both produce carbon and hydrogen.

Organisms that break down and feed on wastes and dead organisms are called a. decomposers. b. omnivores. c. autotrophs. d. producers.

Organisms that break down and feed on wastes and dead organisms are called a. decomposers. b. omnivores. c. autotrophs. d. producers.

What is an organism that feeds only on plants called? a. carnivore b. herbivore c. omnivore d. detritivore

What is an organism that feeds only on plants called? a. carnivore b. herbivore c. omnivore d. detritivore

All the interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem make up a food a. interaction. b. chain. c. network. d. web.

All the interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem make up a food a. interaction. b. chain. c. network. d. web.

The total amount of tissue of all the organisms in a food chain is called the a. organic mass. b. trophic mass. c. energy mass. d. biomass.

The total amount of tissue of all the organisms in a food chain is called the a. organic mass. b. trophic mass. c. energy mass. d. biomass.

What is an ecological model of the relationships that form a network of complex interactions among organisms in a community from producers to decomposers? a. food web b. an ecosystem c. food chain d. a population

What is an ecological model of the relationships that form a network of complex interactions among organisms in a community from producers to decomposers? a. food web b. an ecosystem c. food chain d. a population

What animals eat both producers and consumers? a. herbivores b. omnivores c. chemotrophs d. autotrophs

What animals eat both producers and consumers? a. herbivores b. omnivores c. chemotrophs d. autotrophs

What is the term for each step in the transfer of energy and matter within a biological community? a. energy path b. food web c. trophic level d. food pyramid

What is the term for each step in the transfer of energy and matter within a biological community? a. energy path b. food web c. trophic level d. food pyramid

A bird stalks, kills, and then eats an insect A bird stalks, kills, and then eats an insect. Based on its behavior, which ecological terms describe the bird? a. herbivore, decomposer b. producer, heterotroph c. carnivore, consumer d. autotroph, herbivore

A bird stalks, kills, and then eats an insect A bird stalks, kills, and then eats an insect. Based on its behavior, which ecological terms describe the bird? a. herbivore, decomposer b. producer, heterotroph c. carnivore, consumer d. autotroph, herbivore

A snake that eats a frog that has eaten an insect that fed on a plant is a a. first-level producer. b. first-level consumer. c. second-level producer. d. third-level consumer.

A snake that eats a frog that has eaten an insect that fed on a plant is a a. first-level producer. b. first-level consumer. c. second-level producer. d. third-level consumer.

Only 10 percent of the energy stored in an organism can be passed on to the next trophic level. Of the remaining energy, some is used for the organism’s life processes, and the rest is a. used in reproduction. b. stored as body tissue. c. stored as fat. d. eliminated as heat.

Only 10 percent of the energy stored in an organism can be passed on to the next trophic level. Of the remaining energy, some is used for the organism’s life processes, and the rest is a. used in reproduction. b. stored as body tissue. c. stored as fat. d. eliminated as heat.

Which type of pyramid shows the amount of living tissue at each trophic level in an ecosystem? a. a numbers pyramid b. an energy pyramid c. a biomass pyramid d. a food pyramid

Which type of pyramid shows the amount of living tissue at each trophic level in an ecosystem? a. a numbers pyramid b. an energy pyramid c. a biomass pyramid d. a food pyramid

The repeated movement of water between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere is called a. the water cycle. b. the condensation cycle. c. precipitation. d. evaporation.

The repeated movement of water between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere is called a. the water cycle. b. the condensation cycle. c. precipitation. d. evaporation.

Which of the following is NOT recycled in the biosphere? a. water b. nitrogen c. carbon d. energy

Which of the following is NOT recycled in the biosphere? a. water b. nitrogen c. carbon d. energy

What is the process by which organisms convert nitrogen gas in the air to ammonia? a. nitrogen fixation b. excretion c. decomposition d. denitrification

What is the process by which organisms convert nitrogen gas in the air to ammonia? a. nitrogen fixation b. excretion c. decomposition d. denitrification

How is carbon stored in the biosphere? a. in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide b. underground as fossil fuels and calcium carbonate rock c. in the oceans as dissolved carbon dioxide d. all of the above

How is carbon stored in the biosphere? a. in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide b. underground as fossil fuels and calcium carbonate rock c. in the oceans as dissolved carbon dioxide d. all of the above

Nitrogen fixation is carried out primarily by a. humans. b. plants. c. bacteria. d. ammonia.

Nitrogen fixation is carried out primarily by a. humans. b. plants. c. bacteria. d. ammonia.

Which of the following has a direct role in the nitrogen cycle? a. bacteria b. legumes c. decomposers d. all of the above

Which of the following has a direct role in the nitrogen cycle? a. bacteria b. legumes c. decomposers d. all of the above

Biogeochemical cycling ensures that a. human activity will have no effect on them. b. cells well not become limited in any one nutrient. c. nutrients will not become scarce in any part of the biosphere. d. many nutrients will not reach toxic concentrations in the biosphere.

Biogeochemical cycling ensures that a. human activity will have no effect on them. b. cells well not become limited in any one nutrient. c. nutrients will not become scarce in any part of the biosphere. d. many nutrients will not reach toxic concentrations in the biosphere.

The event that can occur after a lake receives a large input of a limiting nutrient is a. an algal bloom. b. algae begin to die and decomposers take over. c. nitrogen compounds are recycled. d. the concentration of oxygen drops below the necessary level.

The event that can occur after a lake receives a large input of a limiting nutrient is a. an algal bloom. b. algae begin to die and decomposers take over. c. nitrogen compounds are recycled. d. the concentration of oxygen drops below the necessary level.

Which is most likely to be a limiting nutrient in a freshwater pond? a. phosphorus b. nitrogen c. carbon d. potassium

Which is most likely to be a limiting nutrient in a freshwater pond? a. phosphorus b. nitrogen c. carbon d. potassium

If a nutrient is in such short supply in an ecosystem that it affects an animal's growth, the a. animal becomes a decomposer. b. substance is a limiting nutrient. c. nutrient leaves the food chain. d. ecosystem will not survive.

If a nutrient is in such short supply in an ecosystem that it affects an animal's growth, the a. animal becomes a decomposer. b. substance is a limiting nutrient. c. nutrient leaves the food chain. d. ecosystem will not survive.

Levels of Organization Objective: Students will design poster showing the different examples of the six levels of organization Time: 30 minutes Procedure: Form groups of 4 students per group Obtain poster board or newsprint to draw poster. You may use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to design your poster Study Figure #21 (page 64) showing 6 levels of organization in the biosphere The teacher will give each group a different biome to focus on. Design and draw an illustration showing different examples of Levels of Organization Display posters and present to class